Design features
- It is a well-known fact that white color expands boundaries, which means that using a light floor covering can visually enlarge the space.
- Using different textures and materials, the white tone will support the style of any interior.
- White color can become the main “highlight” of the room or serve as a background.
- White color, like any other, has cold and warm shades.
Types of finishing materials
Tile
Ceramic tiles are durable and easy to maintain. Technologies allow you to apply complex images, which means it’s easy to choose a design to suit your desired style. The material may differ not only in color, but also in texture.
A glossy floor will visually increase the area due to its reflective properties; matte tiles are easier to clean and look more comfortable in the interior.
Imitation of white marble will significantly save your budget, while in the interior it will look expensive and stylish. Disadvantages include fragility and low sound insulation. It is also advisable to install heated floors during renovations, since the tile material is cold.
Porcelain tiles
It is manufactured at a higher temperature, so it acquires higher strength and has a dense structure without pores, which allows the use of abrasive agents during maintenance. Externally, porcelain stoneware looks like tiles and is suitable for the kitchen, hallway, and living room.
Tree
A noble, eco-friendly material with a unique texture, color and pattern. Plank wood floors can match almost any style in the interior, while always looking stylish. However, there is a drawback to natural wood flooring: it reacts to the humidity in the room and may begin to creak over time.
The photo shows a bedroom with a painted wood panel floor.
Parquet always remains relevant and is suitable for decorating a bedroom, living room, or children's room. Another option is laminate. The color of white oak looks especially impressive.
The photo shows a modern living room with white parquet flooring.
White self-leveling floor
The main advantage of self-leveling flooring is considered to be maximum wear resistance; it is not afraid of damage of almost any nature. The application technology is performed without seams or joints. One of the disadvantages is the cold surface, which will be corrected by a warm floor.
The photo shows a minimalist kitchen with self-leveling flooring.
Carpet covering
Carpeted flooring looks cozy, but requires more maintenance. In addition to regular vacuuming, white carpet will require professional dry cleaning. Looks good in the bedroom, nursery and living room.
Painting
A simple but no less interesting way of finishing. In addition to simple plain painting, the floor can be decorated with a variety of patterns. For better adhesion of paint to the surface, the floor must be prepared and cleaned.
Cork floor
Cork is a soft, pleasant to the touch, environmentally friendly material that has many advantages. Cork has soundproofing properties, has a warm surface and lasts quite a long time. Cork also has orthopedic properties due to shock absorption. Suitable for decorating a nursery, bedroom and living room.
Vinyl
The coating has a lot of positive qualities. The material is as simple as possible when laying out and maintaining. It also has good heat and sound insulation. However, the material is not environmentally friendly and may lose color over time.
Glossy or matte flooring?
The texture of the coating can change the appearance of the room. In a small room it is better to use gloss, reflecting objects, they will visually increase the area of the room. This effect can be achieved using tiles, porcelain stoneware and self-leveling flooring.
The photo shows a children's room with a glossy white floor covering.
Matte floors will add coziness to the interior. Almost any floor finishing material comes with a matte texture, so there will be no problems with the choice.
Light and dark flooring
By pairing the right floor color with the right wall color, we can make the most of the space we have. As a general rule, lighter colors will open up the room and make it appear larger, while darker colors will make the space appear smaller. Playing with different combinations of these options, however, can make a room look very different:
- Light floors will make your room feel more airy and optically larger. They are also capable of giving a cleaner, more traditional look. Lighter colors on the floors go well with dark and light walls.
- Dark floors are a must for those who want to add some contrast to their space, they will add an instant dramatic effect to the room.
Match the right floor color with the right wall color
- The combination of dark and light colors on the floors and walls can change not only the appearance of the room. Different combinations on the surface of your space can instantly shift the feel of the room.
- Using light colors on the floors and walls makes the space look too large. This makes the room feel less cozy, personal and warm than you probably want it to be.
- Conversely, adding one powerful accent in the form of a dark wall will make the space a little smaller and more expressive. Leave the other three walls and the floor light. Create an accent wall with function using bright colors.
By combining light walls with darker ones, you can visually narrow the room, make it deeper and taller. However, you need to leave the overhead light in this ratio so that the space is not closed.
- Dark walls in a room with light floors and ceilings will force the eye to follow horizontal lines. This trick is needed to make the room look wider.
- By keeping the flooring lighter and making the walls and ceiling dark, you will have a room that is visually smaller.
A fluffy carpet will add coziness to the room
- Using a dark floor with light walls and ceiling will instantly make the room feel wider. This is a great combination if you need to open up a space without being overly spacious.
- Dark colors on the floor and ceiling will make the room appear wider and the ceiling will appear lower.
- To ensure that light from the room comes from above, look at dark floors and walls. This combination can give the room a "basement" feel.
Once you start experimenting with colors, you will see how different the same room can look.
The impact of light and shadow in a space can be enormous.
In the interior of the kitchen
Photos in the interior
Kitchen
A white floor in the kitchen is not the most practical, but it is a very effective idea. The beauty of white is its versatility; it can be successfully combined with any shade. The set can be of any color. Suitable materials for the floor would be tiles, laminate, self-leveling flooring.
Bathroom and toilet
A white floor will make the bathroom and toilet look larger. It is worth using moisture-resistant surfaces. In addition to a single-color coating, white can also be diluted with other paints, for example, with patterns or wood imitation.
The photo shows a bathroom with a podium. The finishing is made of white tiles.
Living room
The flooring material is selected depending on the stylistic direction. Carpet, wood and vinyl flooring are suitable for a classic interior in the hall. In a modern interior you can use tiles, porcelain stoneware, wood and self-leveling flooring.
Bedroom
A white floor will fill the bedroom with air and make it more spacious. A white wooden floor will make the bedroom soft, and a carpet will fill the atmosphere with coziness.
Children's
In the nursery, it is better to use warm materials such as linoleum, carpet, and cork. A colored carpet looks harmonious on a light background.
Corridor and hallway
The flooring in the hallway must be moisture- and wear-resistant. A white wood-look marble floor or tiles in accordance with the interior style will look chic.
The photo shows a hallway in a modern style. The flooring is made of marble.
Combination with other colors
Black and white floor
The classic combination of black and white has remained relevant for a long time. For tiles, the combination can be in a checkerboard pattern, stripes, or with the addition of one color or another to the main background. Carpeting can have an elegant pattern.
White-gray
A softer combination that looks elegant on a marble floor, highlighting the natural pattern of marble in gray. Depending on the design, the combination can be in a classic and modern interior.
Red-white
Bold shade. Red, combined with white, it looks stylish and not pretentious. The interior may contain red decorative elements. Suitable for finishing floors in a modern style.
What wall color should I choose? What wallpaper is suitable?
Seemingly simple at first glance, white color will add luxury to any interior, and thanks to its versatility, it can be combined with almost any wall shade.
- Light walls will become a continuation of the white floor. For a classic interior, light plaster with white baseboards or wallpaper with a discreet pattern are suitable. In a modern interior, you can use brickwork and wallpaper with patterns. One of the walls can be decorated with photo wallpaper with a three-dimensional image.
- The contrasting dark color of the walls will visually elongate the room. In this case, you can focus on texture and color.
- White walls will make the room as spacious as possible. To prevent the room from being boring, you can use unusual finishing techniques, such as relief panels, brickwork or wallpaper with a shiny surface.
- White floor and gray walls. To prevent the interior from being cold, you should choose a warm shade of gray. Wallpaper with strict geometric shapes will fit well into a high-tech interior, and paintable wallpaper is suitable for Scandinavian-style decoration.
- The deep blue color will attract attention. To create a marine style, you can choose striped wallpaper. You can highlight the area with photo wallpaper in blue tones.
- Shades of yellow create a light summer mood. Reflecting from the white floor, it will fill the room with sunlight.
What interior styles are white floors suitable for?
White floors fit equally well into interiors decorated in different styles:
- in rooms designed in Scandinavian style or shabby chic , floors painted with matte paint will look good;
- interior styles such as hi-tech, modern, art deco and pop art allow the use of both matte and glossy white floor coverings;
- modern interiors, decorated in a neoclassical style with a predominance of light colors, go well with a glossy white floor;
- for rooms of traditional classical style, a combination of white floors with dark furniture is necessary;
- The traditional design combination of black furniture and white floors is appropriate when decorating an interior in a strict classical style ;
- Eco and country style rooms allow you to choose bleached wood flooring.
Scandinavian style bathroom
Self-leveling flooring in a Scandinavian-style kitchen interior
Combination with ceiling color
Finishing the ceiling with white will create symmetry in the room, in this case attention will be focused on the walls. A boring, flat ceiling can be decorated with stucco molding or plaster plinth.
Darker shades are best combined with the color of the wallpaper; the ceiling can become an extension of the walls. The black color of the ceiling will become the object of attention in the design of the apartment. To avoid creating a pressing sensation, it is better to use glossy materials.
Which skirting board to choose?
The baseboard for the floor is an important detail that should also be paid attention to during repairs.
- In a minimalist interior you can do without it; white skirting boards will suit classic and modern styles.
- In a spacious room these can be high plinths of unusual shape; for a compact room it is better to use small corners.
- A black plinth for the floor will separate the planes and look elegant; it will also look harmonious with black doors.
Features of white floors in the interior
The main advantage of a white floor will be the visual expansion of space. This property can be demonstrated especially clearly when combined with white walls. In this case, the white baseboard will be very relevant.
The desire to give the room lightness and elegance can be easily achieved with the help of a white floor. You can complement the interior with various combinations of related colors and shades in order to achieve the greatest harmony.
Regardless of the chosen material, using various decorative items and suitable furniture, you can create a magical snow-white fairy tale or an elegant, stylish atmosphere in the rooms of your home. Any of these options can highlight the taste of the designer and owner of the premises.
Choice of door color
Doors should be in harmony with the overall interior of the apartment.
- White doors will become a continuation of the room; it is better to use them in a bright interior.
- Dark door color and white floor. It can be combined in color with the color of the walls or contrasted against the background of light wallpaper.
- Wenge color is best used in warm interior colors; it looks great on a beige background.
Suitable furniture
Furniture can match the overall color scheme of the decoration or become a bright accent in the interior.
- In a bright living room with white walls and floors, a brightly colored sofa will indicate a relaxation area.
- If you choose furniture of the same color palette as the decoration, then you need to focus on details, such as pillows, decorative elements, dishes or textiles.
- Brown furniture will add coziness to the room. The interior will be complemented by a carpet, pillows and unusual lighting.
White living room design ideas
The undoubted advantage of white is that it optically enlarges the room and fills it with light. So this is a great solution for a small living room in an apartment building. Choosing the right style can warm up the interior and make it feel cozy and family-friendly.
Scandinavian style
The white color of the walls, insulated with light wood and decorative fabrics, creates a light-filled interior straight from the Far North.
Simple yet functional Scandinavian style living room decor is decorated with few accessories. However, they are very characteristic and overwhelmingly relate to the beloved Scandinavian nature.
More: Decorating a living room in a Scandinavian style
Motifs of flowers and plants appear on airy curtains and decorative pillows. The walls are decorated with graphics of cute deer, owls and hedgehogs. Natural wood is found on floors and furniture - often painted white.
The composition is complemented by wooden or wicker baskets, metal lanterns, and simple lampshades.
In Scandinavian interiors, there may also be graphic motifs with a characteristic zigzag. This is most often found on carpets or decorative fabrics. On the walls there are sometimes graphic compositions framed by simple frames, motivational slogans or calligraphic favorite quotes.
The timelessness of white, the warmth and elegance of wood, and fun decorations and accessories make the Scandinavian-style living room a positive environment for the whole family.
Shabby chic style
For those who love even cozier designs in white, shabby chic interiors are the perfect solution. Shabby chic combines the charm of the intricate shapes of old furniture with all sorts of scuffs and abrasions, but it brings a smoothed elegance and a truly romantic atmosphere to interior design.
Items often undergo “antiquated reconstruction,” which means that a special technique gives them the appearance of ancient objects.
The shabby chic room is all white, with just a touch of pastel gray or pink. However, snow-white tones reign everywhere: on the walls and floors, furniture, accessories and decorations are white or bleached.
Antique tapestries, frills, lace tablecloths. On the shelves there are figurines of angels or hearts with declarations of love. Candles in sconces or small table lamps create an intimate mood.
The white shabby chic style salon is described as a typically feminine design, and it is women who most often decorate interiors in this decor. It may be too sweet and sentimental for the whole family, but you can't deny its charm and the warmth of your home.
Provencal style
Provencal decor is often confused with shabby. This composition is also sentimental and feminine, full of flowers and lace. The furniture is also intentionally aged or naturally antique.
However, the arrangement of the colors is different. Shabby chic is mostly white. In the Provencal style, furniture and accessories are white, but purple is no less important.
Purple is the characteristic color of Provence. The lavender fields that cover this French land have been moved inland. The composition is complemented by mirrors in decorative frames, elegant rugs and glass vases, as well as flowerpots with lavender.
Cozy and rich in an idyllic climate, the interiors in the Provençal style are very homely. White furniture in the Provence style is often combined with a more intense color of the walls and accessories.
Designers recommend combining white with a contrasting color when decorating a living room. This will allow you to get the effect of freshness and modernity, protecting against unpleasant surprises.
Design
Inserts of other colors
Inserts of a different color can be distributed over the entire surface of the floor or form a three-dimensional pattern. On white tiles, piece inserts of a different color or with patterns look interesting. In a hallway, bath or entryway, tiles with uniform black corners look elegant.
The photo shows a classic kitchen, the tiles have discreet black and white inserts.
Chess
The classic combination for checkerboard floor design is black and white. This design is suitable for a room in a modern style and can be diluted with other shades in the design. The shade is chosen based on personal preference; for a calmer interior, light shades are suitable.
Patterns and prints
Patterns and prints on the floor are located in the central part of the room or area. The image will highlight the style of the interior. A similar effect can be achieved using self-leveling flooring, carpeting or tiles.
With texture
Tile and wood are used to create textured flooring. Laminate and wood panels convey the unique texture of wood. A completely different relief is applied to the tile; it can imitate natural materials or have an unusual pattern.
How to care for glossy laminate flooring.
In order for glossy laminate to serve for a long time, and you are not disappointed when choosing it, you need to follow a few simple rules.
Floors in rooms with such coating cannot be washed using alkaline or caustic chemicals. It is also prohibited to use products containing abrasives that can scratch the shiny surface.
After you have washed the floor, you should wipe, or rather rub it, with a dry soft cloth.
You should not walk on this laminate barefoot. The marks left are similar to those on glass and mirror surfaces stained by oily or sweaty hands.
To clean rooms with such floor coverings, you can use vacuum cleaners (including washing ones) with special attachments.
On the legs of pieces of furniture that often “travel” around the room, for example, a computer chair, chairs, special pads made of soft fabric or suede should be made. You can also place a rug in areas where you move frequently.
Style decision
Modern
In a modern style, you can use both glossy and matte finishes. In the style of minimalism and hi-tech, marble, self-leveling flooring, and plain carpet look harmonious.
The photo shows a minimalist bedroom with wooden floors.
Loft
To finish the floor in the loft style, large tiles, laminate or matte self-leveling flooring with imitation concrete are used.
Classic
In a classic interior, the decoration is made of wood, tiles or carpet. The painted floor will complement the carpet.
The photo shows a classic bedroom with white carpet.
Scandinavian
The style is restrained and laconic; a wooden or self-leveling floor will be a good solution. Small rugs will add warmth to the interior.
Provence
In a Provence interior, a floor made of painted white boards, laminate with wood texture or tiles with an aged effect looks harmonious.
What are the main features of such coatings?
Previously, mirror-like floors could only be created from carefully polished stone - marble or granite. Manufacturers now offer several coating options with the following properties:
- Liquid varieties.
- Laminate with a glossy surface.
- Porcelain tiles or other types of tiles with a polished outside.
- Special mixtures of concrete.
Each variety has its own characteristics and different characteristics. In addition, creating a glossy self-leveling floor is more difficult than laying laminate or gluing tiles. Therefore, we will dwell in more detail on each type of such finishing.
