20 Enlightening White-and-Wood Spaces
There’s something so fresh about a white space, isn’t there? It seems inherently clean, fresh, and spacious. But most white spaces would feel uncomfortably floaty if there was no other element present to ground the space. Wood is an excellent design element to choose for accomplishing this.
Because the tones of wood vary so greatly (from the blondest of birch wood to the darkest of walnut, and everywhere in between), you don’t have to compromise your own style and aesthetic to work in a few touches of nature.I think the visual balance struck in white-and-wood interiors is priceless. Read on, and see what you think:
When colors are muted and tightly paletted, a light wood plank room divider provides plenty of style without introducing visual chaos.
One of the (many) beauties of wood grain is that it can stand alone as the lone accent, accessory, or artwork in a white room.
A “waterfall” effect of wood on the ceiling coming down the walls creates a cozy nook in a larger expanse of a room. White furniture keeps the nook area itself feeling bright and fresh.
Combining whites and woods in a kitchen is the perfect blend for this room that inherently merges warmth with cleanliness.
Gleaming subway tile and well-worn butcher block countertops are key elements in the charm of this white farmhouse kitchen.
A unique take on the traditional hardwood floor is to install extra-wide planks. This makes the room feel wider, while the accompanying white palette makes the room feel more spacious. It’s a win-win, really.
It’s never a bad idea, in my opinion, to introduce an earthy element into a completely modern space. A rustic, chunky wooden farm table in the dining room is a lovely way to add dimension and contrast.
Well-chosen wood accents create depth for a space and draw attention to architectural details that might otherwise be missed completely.
Varying the tones of wood in a white-heavy space (for example, darker wood floors and lighter wood countertops) creates a simple and sophisticated depth in the space.
Nothing beats crisp white linens on the bed…except, of course, if those crisp whites are paired with warmly lit wood panels and contrasting glossy white floors.
Sometimes, the tiniest glimpse of wood is all a white space needs.
Simple modern wood-framed furniture in a white space with wooden ceiling beams help to visually balance out the floor and ceiling level weights.
Medium- to dark-toned wood is unbeatable in its warm, charmingly rustic appeal…even amid total contemporary pieces.
Of course, for those who prefer less contrast, very pale, blonde, and even whitewashed woods have a stunningly simplifying effect on clean white spaces. Let the wood planks enhance the architecture.
Tempering the sterile feeling of glass and gloss with plenty of wood tones in an airy white space results in a lovely modern design.
Vary the direction of the wood grains for an interesting, yet still visually consistent, take on wood accents.
Up the luxe factor of the white-and-wood simplicity by incorporating metallic neutrals into the space. They actually “read” as natural elements, but they present a unique dimension: shine.
Opt for a sliding “barn-style” door for a bedroom closet to change things up; using smooth wood for this provides a focal feature and cuts out the temptation to clutter the walls.
The combination of white with wood is, as we’re discovering, refreshingly simple. Pair that combination with a touch of industrial edge, such as a concrete pillar, for an ultra modern vibe.