Overcoming "White Box Syndrome": To Colour or Not to Colour

Your new home offers a beautiful blank canvas, ready for personalisation. This is either an exciting or daunting prospect, so where do you begin transforming all that white space? Our resident expert, Sam Jones from Edward Thomas Interiors offers his advice for overcoming “white box syndrome” …

The introduction of colour can be a design dilemma. Some will view it as a bold expression of personality whereas others find it overwhelming and off-putting.

So where to start?

My advice is to break it down. Prioritise key rooms, so those where you’ll spend the most time like the bedroom and living room. Knowing you have sanctuaries for sleeping and relaxing will help take the pressure off.

You might already have a good idea of what design styles you like, but if not, start scrolling social media. Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are great resources for trends and “how to” videos.

Other inspiration can be drawn from location, landmarks and your lifestyle. If your new home is surrounded by countryside, bring the outside in with an earthy, natural colour palette. If you’re on the coast, perhaps incorporate whitewashed furniture and materials like rope and rattan. For city living, opt for bold, industrial-inspired pieces and vibrant shades. If you have a hobby, use this as inspiration for artwork and accessories. All of these can be introduced as subtly or boldly as necessary throughout the home but the key is they create a cohesive design.

Once you’ve chosen a style, it’s time to think practically.

Colour is the question we’re asked about most. The simplest way to inject colour is painting. This could be entire rooms, block shapes, feature walls, even the ceiling. I wrote about colour drenching earlier this year and it remains one of our favourite trends as it’s so impactful.

Adding varied wallcoverings also makes a bold transformation. Panelling is here to stay and can be done at full or half height, or on the ceiling. It can be painted all as one colour, as individual panels, or left as exposed wood for a warm Scandi vibe. Then there’s wallpapering. Again this can be used as a focal point e.g. to frame a bed or media unit; to create continuity e.g. running from the hallway, up the stairs and landing; or as a ‘wow’ moment – the downstairs cloakroom is a great place for a bold wallpaper!

Of course, if your decision is to keep neutral walls and ceilings, colour can be introduced through lighting, window dressings and soft furnishings. All of these instantly create a ‘homely’ environment and are subtler, cost-effective design techniques that are easier to replace.

Ultimately there’s no hard and fast rules when it comes to designing your own home and the point is to enjoy it! If you’re unsure, take time to live in it first. Understand how you use the space and then build up your design. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes either, keep evolving and adding new pieces as your tastes change, ensuring your home is an expression of you.