White Living Room Ideas
A white living room feels warm rather than clinical when you choose a warm white with a hint of cream, then add texture, natural wood and one or two grounding dark tones such as soft black. White walls are the easiest backdrop for art, so this is the room where your prints can carry the colour.
Below: warm white versus cool white, colours that go with white, how to make a white living room cosy, and how to choose art for white walls.
Prints for this look
The colour palette
Warm white or cool white?
Whites are never just white. Warm whites have a touch of yellow, red or cream. They feel soft and welcoming, and suit north-facing rooms, oak floors, linen and brass. Cool whites have a touch of blue or grey. They look crisp in bright, south-facing rooms and suit black metal, chrome, concrete and grey fabrics.
Paint two large swatches on different walls and look at them morning and evening before you decide. If you want a white and grey living room, a warm white keeps the grey from feeling cold.
Colours that go with white in a living room
- Natural oak and rattan are the quickest way to warm up white.
- Soft black in picture frames, lamps and a coffee table gives the room definition.
- Warm grey and stone make a calm white and grey scheme.
- Sage and olive bring a natural, relaxed feel through plants, cushions and art.
- Terracotta, mustard or navy work as a single accent colour.
The 60-30-10 rule is a useful guide: about 60% white, 30% wood and a supporting neutral, and 10% accent colour in the art and cushions.
How to make a white living room cosy
- Layer texture. A boucle or linen sofa, a chunky wool throw and a jute or wool rug stop white from feeling flat.
- Bring in wood. An oak side table, a walnut sideboard or a wooden picture frame adds warmth instantly.
- Warm the light. Use warm-toned bulbs and at least two lamps at different heights.
- Ground it. One dark element, such as a black coffee table or a charcoal rug, gives the eye somewhere to rest.
- Use the TV wall. White walls make a TV look like a black hole. A pair of prints either side, or a row of three above, softens it.
Choosing wall art for white walls
Almost any art works on white walls, which is the joy of them. Black and white prints and architectural photography give a crisp, modern look. Colourful abstracts, botanicals and travel prints bring in the colour the walls leave out. Pick one or two colours from your cushions, rug or plants and repeat them in the art.
Above the sofa, aim for art about two thirds of the sofa's width. On a 200 cm sofa that means roughly 130 cm of art, such as one large print or a pair of A1 prints, hung 15 to 25 cm above the back.
Browse our white wall art, or read our ideas for white posters in stylish spaces.
Sizes at a glance
| Size | Centimetres | Inches | Works for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Shelves, desks, small gaps, sets of 3 |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 11.7 x 16.5 | Hallways, side walls, pairs |
| A2 | 42 x 59.4 | 16.5 x 23.4 | Above a sideboard or small sofa, the anchor of a gallery wall |
| A1 | 59.4 x 84.1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | Above a standard sofa or bed |
| A0 | 84.1 x 118.9 | 33.1 x 46.8 | Large walls, open-plan rooms, statement pieces |
All our A sizes fit standard off-the-shelf frames, and every print is made to order on museum-grade matte paper.
