Open, airy and symbolic of fresh starts, the colour white makes a beautiful choice for any room in the home, but is perhaps the most perfect choice for the place where you start and end your day. Why? Deemed by experts as an inherently positive colour, white is known for its soothing qualities and has connotations of cleanliness and purity, making it an ideal shade to use in any room that you want to become a restful, energising retreat.
If, in the past, you’ve steered clear from white bedrooms in the fear that they could look cold or clinical, we’re here to assure you that contrary to popular belief, white bedrooms are anything but boring.
Convinced yet? Read on to discover 17 beautiful white bedroom ideas, plus all your white bedroom questions answered and the dos and don’ts of decorating with white!
Can a white bedroom be cosy?
Absolutely! Because white is a crisp, clean colour, people often worry that an all-white bedroom might end up looking clinical and cold, but this couldn’t be further from the truth – you just need to know how to style your space.
You can instantly make a white bedroom feel cosy, cocooning and snug simply by adding plenty of different textures into the space.
A room that has white panelled walls and a bed layered with white cushions and blankets, for example, will instantly look more welcoming than a room that has a flat white wall and one plain white sheet. You can also use other colours or natural elements, like wood, to add warmth to a white bedroom, without detracting from the overall feel of openness and space.
How can I make my white bedroom look good?
One common mistake that people make when decorating their room white is sticking to one tone, and one tone only. While it’s good to limit your colour palette to keep your space looking stylish and cohesive, using a few different shades of white within your bedroom will stop it from feeling clinical or flat. You can still create a cohesive look provided that you choose shades of white that all have the same undertone, be it yellow, blue or otherwise.
The best way to get your head around this concept is imagining decorating a room with a bolder colour. For example, if you were creating your dream green bedroom, you wouldn’t use the exact same shade of green for the walls, floors, furniture and accessories, but instead choose a palette of greens that work in harmony with each other – like sage green and smoked green – and then tie them in with complementary colours that carry the same undertone, in this case, something like a muted grey.
The same rules apply when decorating with white. Instead of using the same shade of creamy white across the entirety of your room, you can create depth by teaming it with other shades that have the same yellow undertone, like antique white and linen white. This will immediately give your room a professionally styled look, and prevent it from feeling too stark or unexciting.
What colours go with a white bedroom?
One appealing advantage of decorating your bedroom with white paint and furniture is that it provides you with a timeless blank canvas which can be restyled with coloured accents and decor accessories as trends change.
The list of colours that go with white in a bedroom is pretty much endless, so you can be as creative as you wish, and really tailor your space to suit your style. If you’re struggling to know which colours to use, start by deciding on what sort of aesthetic you want to end up with, and use this to guide your colour choices as you decorate. See our style guides to discover your favourite decor look!
If you’re a fan of a relaxed boho-style, for example, you might want to style your white room with textured neutral accessories, whereas lovers of sleek Scandi look might prefer to team white walls with light wooden furniture or shots of dramatic black. If a nature inspired scheme is more your thing, you can use earth tones, sage greens and terracotta to warm up white walls, or achieve a soft, coastal look by teaming white walls with tones inspired by the sand, sky and sea – think tranquil blues and grounding ecru shades. The world is your oyster!
White bedroom ideas
In need of white bedroom inspiration? Take a look at our pick of the best white bedroom ideas below!
For a sleek, understated but sophisticated look, team white floorboards with crisp, white hotel inspired bedding. Add panelling to your walls before finishing them with a lick of grey-white paint to give your space depth, and don't forget to accessorise with a touch of greenery and a coloured quilt - it'll bring your white space to life!
Pink and white bedroom
If you love pink but the thought of an entirely pink bedroom makes you shudder, styling your white bedroom with a pink headboard is a perfect way to introduce the soothing tone into your space without overwhelming it. Stick to a brilliant white with a neutral undertone on the walls and accessorise your white bedding bed with a cosy floral quilt - it'll help you achieve sleek cottagecore vibes in no time.
White and black bedroom
If your dream bedroom is light and airy but with a touch of drama, you can't go wrong with a monochrome scheme. For a professionally styled look, start with a white base before adding in jet black furniture and accessories - a black bed frame will look particularly striking done up with white bedding and black throw cushions. To keep the look interesting, opt for interesting, textured lighting as pictured above - it'll prevent your space from looking flat and add a touch of luxury.
Blue and white bedroom
If, for you, designing a bedroom is all about creating a soothing, restful space, teaming your white walls with natural textures, like jute and pampas, will have an instantly grounding effect. If you still want to add a little bit of colour, beachy blues will coordinate particularly well with this scheme - two simple cushions and a feature throw will be enough to add a pop of colour, and you can always swap them out for a different shade as the seasons change.
Looking for more colourful home ideas?
Boho bedroom
Laid-back, 70s inspired boho decor is one of the few trends has retain its popularity throughout the decades, so if you're looking for white bedroom ideas that are likely to stand the test of time, you can't go wrong with this relaxed, eclectic look. To keep the scheme contemporary, add white open shelving to white walls and layer on terracotta, wood and ceramic, earth-toned accessories. A round mirror will create a stunning, understated focal point on a chimney breast or feature wall - simply add candles and few sprigs of dried grass for a chilled, retro-inspired look.
Cane bed frame
Global style, also known as the traveller trend, is all about proving that you don’t need to get on a plane to be able to experience the joys of adventure – and when it comes to dressing your white bedroom, there’s nothing that’ll make your space look more sophisticated. Use tropical print accessories, cane or rattan furniture and plenty of houseplants to give your bedroom a far flung feeling.
French-style bedroom furniture
Chateau style is all the rage right now, and luckily for all the white decor enthusiasts out there, French country inspired furniture makes a perfect accompaniment to a white bedroom scheme. To achieve a luxurious, seamless look, try styling up painted white floorboards with a grand French bed frame and intricate, antique-look accessories - think gilded mirrors and chandelier wall sconces.
Mid Century bedroom furniture
Create a chic, Mid-Century influenced scheme by teaming bright, white walls wooden floors and functional, clean lined furniture. To give the look an up-to-date twist, add navy soft furnishings and a few gold touches - this will promote a sense of calm while keeping a polished feel.
Eclectic bedroom
White is the perfect backdrop for an eclectic furniture collection - it's great for allowing your favourite pieces to stand out. To keep the look cohesive, pick out key colours that you like in your furniture and echo them across bedding, wall hangings and wall art. Opt for white on your radiators and window dressings if you want your space to feel open and airy.
Grey and white bedroom
Whether you're looking to add character to a new build home or breathe life into a listed property, opting for antique grey furniture is a great way to give a white bedroom a lived-in, welcoming feel. You can either choose distressed furniture to achieve a shabby chic look, or opt for something less worn to give your space put-together but vintage feel. Stick to pure white for your walls, floors and bedding to allow the antique pieces to be centre stage. Finish with understated glass pendant lighting and scattering of blush pink accessories.
Farmhouse bedroom
If you're worried about your white bedroom looking clinical or cold, farmhouse decor is the answer. Start by choosing white bedroom furniture, like a white bed, before accessorising with rustic wooden accents, woven benches and large antique rugs. Leave beams exposed to create a contrast. If you can, keep window woodwork bare to infuse a sense of age into your room.
Scandi bedroom
Nordic decor always keeps a room looking fresh and on-trend, and the best thing is that it's super easy to achieve. To create an authentic Scandi-style space, clad your walls in wood and give them a lick of fresh white paint. Paint your floorboards in the same colour then add washed linen bedding for a relaxed but cosy look.
Looking for more bedroom ideas? Don't miss our pick of the best bedroom wall ideas, the best blue bedroom ideas and our green bedrooms guide! Or why not explore all our colour scheme ideas.
