A white room often feels like a clean start – bright, simple, and timeless. But without texture, color, or standout pieces, stark white can leave a room feeling a little flat and unfinished.
And as easy as white room ideas appear on paper, a big white box is often one of the hardest starting points from which to create a scheme that feels unique and full of personality.
With the right approach, however, white paint can become the perfect backdrop for artful living. Just ask Hans Lorei, interior designer and viral TikToker, whose recent video is a cheat sheet of simple but effective ways to bring life, joy, and warmth into an all-white space.
@hansloreidesign Your white box deserves better. Here are 5 ways to turn white blank space into something that actually feels alive. What did I miss? #interiors #interiordesign #homedecor
♬ original sound - Hans Lorei Design
1. Think like an art gallery
Known for his straight-talking, friendly design advice – including this unique pairings TikTok design hack – Hans has taken to TikTok this week to share his tried-and-tested tricks to help warm up white walls.
He says: 'An art gallery is all white and minimal, so everything you bring in you should think of like a piece of art.' In a gallery, every object is chosen with intention and displayed for impact. A white living room or white bedroom offers that same opportunity and can become a blank canvas for creativity.
His first tip is to reassess your furniture choices. 'That white sofa may not be helping your case – you need to introduce some pieces that stand on their own, whether that's through color, material, or shape.' White spaces thrive on contrast, and every piece in the room should be chosen to help shift the mood.
Designed by Shea McGee for her Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee line at Target, this rich red coffee table is a great way to add depth without going too vibrant. It perfectly nails this year's love for the lacquer trend, too.
Shape, texture, and color are all brought together in this sweet statement accent chair. It's perfect for bringing in some soft color that doesn't feel too jarring in a white space, and that rolled back and wooden frame will add so much personality.
Eyeing up the chrome decor trend? Try the unexpected chrome theory on for size with the addition of this fluid, cast-aluminum side table that feels straight out of a gallery exhibit. It's been designed in a continuous loop to bring movement to bland spaces.
2. Switch out your light fixtures
'Change a couple of light fixtures,' he goes on to suggest. Swapping out a basic fixture for eye-catching lighting ideas can have a transformative effect – especially in a white box room where architectural detail may be lacking.
'Find something that's more like a piece of art or sculpture than just a functional light,' Hans suggests. 'It's one of the first things you notice when you walk into a – and it is surprisingly easy to change a light fixture.'
These changes don’t need to be complicated or overly expensive. Plug-in wall sconces or big-impact overhead lights can instantly bring life to a boring space. It’s a quick win that often makes the room feel more designed and intentional.
Switching out your overhead lighting doesn't mean you have to go grand and oversized. For more modest spaces, this colored glass flush light from Lulu and Georgia has been finished with warm, burnished gold tones and a sleek silhouette.
Feeling a little color shy? You don't have to pick the boldest piece in the store, but something like this ivory salk chandelier will create a focal point and give a warm, radiant glow that a bright color couldn't compete with.
For an elevated yet timeless look, this vintage-inspired Art Deco style ceiling light has been crafted with fluted, uniquely textured glass shades made by artisans in Italy that diffuse the light like traditional crystal.
3. Add big art
While a gallery wall is a great way to fill a space, there's nothing like a dramatic oversized piece of art to really up the ante.
'Find big art,' says Hans. 'If you don't have an artist friend, maybe a quilt or a large vintage painting.' He recommends thinking beyond traditional decorating with art and looking for affordable thrift store buys that will actually make your home look expensive, checking marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and Facebook for tapestries, wall hangings, and canvases.
Small frames can get lost on large blank walls, but large-scale pieces draw the eye and shift the balance from empty to expressive.
Lulu and Georgia have a unique range of oversized art, including this playful piece by artist Caroline Pinney, whose work has a vibrant style and plenty of movement that will add color and dynamism to your white room.
Just landed on McGee & Co. as part of their Fall collection, this 100% cotton tapestry is an instant conversation starter. With roots in vintage designs, it has been jacquard printed and comes with five brass nails for hanging on the wall.
Got a golf-mad spouse but hate their idea of sports memorabilia in the house? This sweet oversized canvas is a stylish nod to their favorite hobby while remaining verdant and tranquil enough to be hung outside of the man cave.
4. Find some sculpture
'If your place is the art gallery, that means your lamps are the sculptures,' he adds. In a minimalist or all-white space, everyday items like lamps can – and should – act like art installations.
'The material and shape really matter, so look for personality,' he advises. 'It's not just a lamp, it's an art piece.'
In pared-back spaces, objects do the heavy lifting. They need to provide the color, texture, and personality, so look for lighting with unique details, add a portable lamp, thrift some vintage lighting, bring in a pop of unexpected red, or simply swap out a plain linen shade for something bolder and watch how much your space changes as a result.
Made from plaster and then finished with a rich brass tone, this whimsical wall sconce was designed by artist Julie Neill with a vision of flowers in bloom. Perfect for adding interest to a bedside or a living room.
Velvet is a lovely, textural fabric and looks super chic on lighting. This monochromatic table lamp from Tov Furniture provides enough contrast while remaining earthy and moody thanks to this rich burgundy tone.
Both maximalists and minimalists with love this vintage-style floor lamp. Made with fluted glass in three stacked, rippled tubes and finished with a burnished brass steel, this adds a warm gleam to any under-accessorized corner.
5. Get new window treatments
Hans’s final tip is one of the most accessible (and often most overlooked) changes: upgrading your window treatments.
'Something like bamboo or a subtly colored linen can bring warmth and texture into a space desperately in need of this,' Hans recommends.
Plastic blinds or cheap white curtains do little to enhance a room, especially one already dominated by white walls. Instead, introducing texture with some color or pattern, no matter how subtle, can create much-needed contrast and warmth. Plus, for renters, layering curtains over existing blinds or opting for tension rod options can achieve the same effect without permanent changes.
Adding warmth and texture to your windows, bamboo blinds or chik blinds are a lovely, light-filtering addition to any space – from sunrooms to white kitchens and beyond. It has a simple cord-free design that makes it safe for kids' rooms, too.
Gauze curtains make a lovely sheer window treatment idea, adding a light and airy feel with a subtle texture. These cozy drapes have been finished with a vertical stripe for a touch of pattern and fasten easily onto the pole with cute ribbon ties.
The cafe curtain trend isn't going anywhere soon, and if you're looking for a way to dip your toe into the trend, these neutral slub linen drapes will bring so much warmth to a small window. The linen blend is semi-sheer, which gently filters light, while adding privacy.
Whether you’re renting, renovating, or simply working with a blank slate, these small changes can have a big impact
With the right elements layered in, even the simplest space can feel thoughtful and expressive. Hans' tips prove that it doesn’t take major home renovations or bold wall colors to transform a room; it’s about choosing pieces with presence, playing with scale and shape, and embracing texture wherever possible.
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