Well-chosen colors of various coatings make up the lion's share of the final design that a room or entire apartment will receive. Light color creates a noble atmosphere in any room and makes the room fresher. If the interior has a light floor and the same wallpaper, it becomes easier to highlight other design solutions (furniture, ceiling, doors or decorative items). In this context, it is appropriate to talk about how to use the correct light tone of surfaces, as well as how to combine white and its shades.
The popularity of light shades is due to people's desire for openness and joy that a light palette offers
Advantages and disadvantages
The ability of white surfaces to visually expand space has been known for a long time, and not only to designers. Light shades in design are also associated with respectability and elegance. The fashion for decorating floors in light colors has recently spread; The advantages of this coating include the following characteristics:
- Variety of uses. White flooring looks elegant in most interiors, and in some styles (minimalism, contemporary, Provence, eco) it is simply impossible to do without it. The “shabby” shabby chic style with its whitewashed floors is becoming a popular variation.
Combination of materials in a shabby chic bathroom Source zeus-ceramica.com.ua
- Improved lighting. The laws of physics also apply in design - the lighter the surface, the better it reflects light. A rule that is especially relevant for a small room with windows facing north. In this case, a white floor may become an urgent necessity.
Relaxation area in a modern style Source roomidea.org
- Improved perception. White, beige, sand and cream colors are advantageous for any interior. They effortlessly create a feeling of lightness and hospitality, even in furniture-filled spaces.
The space doesn't look cluttered Source edwardjameslaspozas.com
- Versatility. An interior with a light floor does not create problems when choosing the color of furniture and doors (which are considered as an element of furniture).
Design in light shades Source belstroyimport.ru
- Magnification effect. The ability of white (and any color close to it) to visually increase the volume of a room is widely known.
A light floor is especially important for the kitchen Source in.pinterest.com
- Creating contrast. A white floor is an ideal way to highlight a bright detail and avoid monotony in the interior. Contrast is created by the texture of the coating, as well as the use of baseboards and doors in darker colors.
A game of contrasts Source houzz.com
The following limitations are considered to be the disadvantages of a light-colored floor that must be taken into account when choosing it:
- Not always suitable for luxurious interiors. Classic styles with an emphasis on expensive materials - baroque, empire and antique - require the choice of dark shades. Where solidity is needed, light colors are inferior to dark ones.
Beige flooring in the Empire bedroom Source en.eyeni.ru
- Changing the perception of the room. While gaining an airy interior, the room loses the coziness familiar to most Russians.
Not everyone will find it cozy Source blogremonta.com
- Selecting the type of coverage. A snow-white glossy floor, even if it is an expensive light laminate or parquet, does not always look natural. Often, owners get the effect of cheap linoleum or PVC tiles. To avoid unpleasant results, it is recommended to choose a matte finish.
Glossy finish Source kinozavr.info
- Impression. The coating requires frequent washing and is not suitable for rooms with high traffic.
Relaxation corner Source m.2gis.kz
Children's bedroom in a wooden house Source gid-home.ru
- Unpredictability. The color of the coating is influenced by the color of furniture, textiles and artificial lighting. Sometimes a snow-white floor takes on an unexpected yellowish tint.
Snow-white floor in a bright room Source printground.net
Studio apartment with dining area Source siennaconstruction.com
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in interior redevelopment
Should I use glossy laminate?
The surface of laminated surfaces may differ not only in color, but also in texture, which can be matte or glossy. Each of these types of flooring has its own characteristics.
Unusual glossy white laminate
Recently, glossy white laminate flooring has become increasingly popular in interiors, with its rather unusual appearance. This becomes possible due to the reflection of light from the surface. Some time ago, glossy laminate was used only by the most daring interior designers. Now this option is gaining more and more popularity, which it has won for well-founded reasons.
Glossy white laminate in apartment interiors is now very popular
At first glance, white laminate, and even with a glossy surface, can give the impression of a very easily soiled floor covering. However, this minus is offset by a lot of advantages. This surface is perfectly flat and smooth, but at the same time absolutely non-slippery. Glossy reflections add more uniqueness and brightness to any room. Despite the fact that such a laminate gets dirty easily, caring for it is as simple as possible, since all stains are erased in no time. Even ashes and hot liquids are not afraid of him.
Glossy reflections add more uniqueness to any room
Glossy white laminate in the interior of the apartment is not afraid of ultraviolet rays, has high wear resistance and does not wear off over time. As an additional advantage, we can note the environmental friendliness of the material. Often a coating of silver ions is applied on top of the glossy surface, which makes such a floor also very beneficial for health.
Glossy white laminate is highly durable
Light floors in various styles
White floors fit into most modern styles and are allowed in some classic ones (Greek, Roman). The color of the flooring is selected taking into account the following recommendations:
- In the style of minimalism. The interior with light walls and the same floor makes do with a narrow color scheme and is famous for its laconicism. The furniture differs by 2-3 tones from parquet or laminate, for which they choose white, cream, milky or light gray.
Minimalism with modern decorative elements Source ninjfuri.club
Kitchen in minimalist style Source pinterest.com
- Classic. For sophisticated styles, expensive materials are selected: light floorboards (oak, hornbeam, maple), laminate or parquet in gray and yellow tones, light gray matte tiles, marble - both white and veined. The interior in the Roman (Greek) style will be decorated with laminate flooring simulating ceramic tiles or white marble.
In a classic bedroom Source keywordbasket.com
Neoclassical Source yandex.uz
Photo gallery
White flooring is a common solution when decorating modern apartments. You can verify the versatility of white and also get inspired by successful design ideas in a selection of photos from designers.
Popular materials for light floors
If it is important to fill the room with light without going over budget, opt for wood-imitation laminate. The material is cheaper than natural wood, easier to install, and the variety of shades and textures will be the envy of any lumber seller. The color scheme will allow you to choose the right shade for a cozy nursery, kitchen, or studio apartment. When choosing a material, consider the following nuances:
- Laminate in light shades is preferable in rooms full of small objects and decorative accessories. It is chosen for small rooms with a lot of textiles and carpets.
For lovers of small decor Source kipred.net
Vintage luxury Source modernplace.ru
- Material with a warm texture is suitable for rustic styles, while a material with a cold texture is suitable for ultra-modern ones.
White oak laminate Source dekoriko.ru
Living room idea Source isibangunan.com
- Laminate flooring with an expressive pattern is successfully combined with furniture in beige and brown tones, with a transparent coffee table. The discreet material is good for contrasting with black, purple, terracotta upholstery colors.
With a worn effect Source fsdituo.com
Contrast with black and purple Source caandesign.com
White wood does not exist in nature, so light-colored boards are obtained with special processing. The following types of wood are subject to bleaching with chemical solutions:
- Oak. Bleached oak boards delight with a wide color range of light shades, from golden cream to grayish sand. The material is famous for its excellent performance qualities and is therefore considered practical, despite its high cost.
Bleached oak in the bedroom interior Source skladlaminata.ru
With a touch of art deco Source furniture.ca
- Maple. Over time, the light cream maple floor darkens, acquiring a deep beige color, which must be taken into account when designing the interior.
Maple flooring in a room with a fireplace Source legko.com
Dining room Source floor.perfectsouvenirs.co
- Birch. The material, depending on the processing, has a grayish, yellowish or pale amber tint, with a good price/quality ratio.
Whitened birch floor Source elledecoration.vn
White bedroom Source bemz.typepad.com
- Ash. Solid ash is comparable in hardness to oak and can be restored without any problems. The shades, uniform or variegated, vary widely, from a pleasant pale yellow to olive.
Ash floor Source flooringhouse.com.ua
An excellent alternative to oak Source emupauto.ru
Combination with other colors
White interacts well with all representatives of the color wheel, shades of gray and black.
We present the most popular combinations:
- with black - classic mix. Suitable for both a spacious hall and a small bathroom. If this combination seems too bland, add some pepper in the form of additional color. Luxurious red, for example, will fit perfectly into a black and white company;
- with orange or yellow - the overall mood of the room depends on the brightness of the “sunny” shades. Blurred tones will add elegance to it, rich tones will add bubbling joyful delight;
- with purple is an excellent option for creative people. Purple does not allow the spark of creativity to go out, constantly inspiring new ideas. It transforms white interiors beyond recognition. Everything about them seems mysterious and unusual;
- with blue - this combination is perceived ambiguously. Some people find it too harsh and strict, others consider it bright and fresh. It all depends on the specific shades of white and blue;
- with green - adding green to the interior can cause a surge of vigorous energy or, conversely, plunge the inhabitants into a sleepy state. The “pill” for vigor and efficiency will be the color of lime, green grass, light green. Shades of olive and other muted tones are suitable for relaxation;
- with brown - such combinations are the most “tasty” and effective. They can be used in any room;
- with gray is a classic combination that can be slightly enlivened with dotted accents of yellow, wine color, and turquoise.
Design techniques
White floors go equally well with both light and dark surfaces and furniture. Although there are no general recipes, designers have developed principles that allow you to get a pleasing to the eye, stylish interior. The basic recommendations include the following:
- The combination of white floors, doors and baseboards creates additional volume in a room of the same color. In a room with walls of rich colors (yellow, sand, olive, lilac), such doors and baseboards will become the accent of the interior.
The importance of choosing a skirting board Source vox.pl
Contrast of white and lilac Source boxtoner.ru
- In the living room and bedroom, laminate, parquet or carpet are suitable as coverings. A living room design with light flooring has a neat look, while dark furniture looks sleeker.
Bedroom in beige tones Source roomester.ru
- They buy linoleum, laminate and tiles for the kitchen and bathroom, while the laminate is chosen to be moisture-resistant, and the tiles are anti-slip.
Bathroom in a country house Source dreamhomesbyrob.com
- For the hallway, choose linoleum, tiles with an imitation of a wooden surface, and parquet.
Entrance hall in colonial style Source roomester.ru
- In the design of modern interiors, light floors are often combined with furniture in pastel shades. In traditional interiors, furniture and upholstery can be of any color.
Bedroom Provence Source coffeesummit.org
- For a plain floor, choose wallpaper with floral or abstract patterns. A snow-white floor requires wallpaper in blue, pistachio, lavender, and pink. A good addition to white wood would be wallpaper in natural shades (sand, caramel, cinnamon).
Light floors and wallpaper with floral patterns Source autogear.ru
To prevent unwanted yellowness from appearing on the glossy floor, furniture (including upholstery) is chosen especially carefully, preferring cold grayish shades. Designers advise avoiding furniture and accessories in rich colors - black, chocolate, stained oak or mahogany, and also replacing lamps with fluorescent or halogen lamps.
Small living room with dining area Source familypro.ru
Disadvantages of a glossy finish
White glossy laminate has many advantages. However, it cannot be said that this option is absolutely devoid of disadvantages. The main disadvantage of a white surface is its impracticality, since any stain immediately becomes very noticeable.
Glossy white laminate will not wear off over time
If the designer decides to opt for a white laminated surface with a glossy effect, it is necessary to choose the highest quality materials. On such a floor, even the slightest installation inaccuracies will be immediately visible. Moreover, any incorrect seam will immediately begin to collect dirt.
Contrasts are important when choosing white laminate
When choosing a glossy white laminate, you need to pay attention to the shades. Different lighting can make the floor look different. That is, in the store there will be one shade, but after installation in the room the effect will be different.
White glossy laminate is very easily soiled
Parquet door
In rooms where there are few colors and textures and you don’t want to add anything extra to maintain the style, designers suggest making different interior details from the same material. For example, you can install a door made from the same parquet board as the floor. The room will look holistic and harmonious.
Photo: garofoli.com
Large parquet pattern
Living rooms, halls, halls require appropriate flooring. They will undoubtedly be decorated with a large floral or geometric pattern created from parquet boards of various shades and textures. The size of the ornament (whether it will occupy the entire surface of the floor or only part of it) depends on the area of the room and, of course, your preferences.
Photo: mit24h.com
All shades of white
White color is a universal basis for creating many light shades used in floor design. Small additions of yellow, gray, brown and other colors make it possible to obtain rich and multifaceted shades that are pleasing to the eye. This approach allows you to expand the possibilities of using white.
Glossy white surfaces visually increase the space Source cdn.n1.ru
These include the following:
- snow-white;
- cream;
- almond;
- ecru;
- cotton and others.
For your information! All shades created on the basis of white can be used for contrasting or monochrome design.
Advice from professionals
If you have chosen dark wallpaper in your living room, then white furniture is suitable for such a room. This combination in interior design is considered a classic of the genre. This win-win option for decorating residential premises allows you to create an atmosphere of peace, tranquility, and complete relaxation in the room.
As an interesting addition to the dark background, you can consider minor inclusions of other colors:
- dairy;
- rich red;
- bright yellow;
- green
It is not necessary to use brown wallpaper to decorate a living room or study. Dark green wallpaper in the interior looks interesting, complemented by light thick curtains on the windows.
Among the current wall design options, light green wallpaper in the interior is of particular interest. The fashion trend of the current season is dark blue and dark gray palette options. I have a particular interest in dark purple wallpaper. For a dark interior, you can select white furniture elements, as well as original accessories.
The video fragment presents interesting and useful tips for decorating a living space in dark and light shades
Two-color herringbone
But in the modern interior of a living room, herringbone parquet looks somewhat banal. To diversify the appearance of the room, use parquet boards in two colors. The photo below shows an example of how this can be done.
Photo: mckenzieandwillis.co.nz
