How to Decorate Using White Upholstered Furniture

Create a room inspired by the beach using white upholstered furniture.

White upholstered furniture is so versatile that you can incorporate it into a variety of decorative styles. This furniture has a casual look about it, making it ideal for use in a laid-back beach-inspired setting or a minimalistic, monochromatic style. Whichever style you choose to feature white upholstered furniture, select a color scheme and decorative accessories to create a comfortable and inviting space.

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Wainscoting
• Rug
• Furniture
• Throw pillows
• Throw blanket
• Accessories
• Pictures
• Curtains

Instructions

Beachside Bungalow

1. Paint the walls of the room a shade that reflects the look of the ocean, such as turquoise, seafoam green or aqua.

2. Hang whitewashed wainscoting along the bottom portion of the walls to add architectural interest to the room.

3. Cover the floor with a sand-colored or jute area rug to mimic the look of the beach.

4. Position the furniture so it creates an inviting seating area that works with the flow of the room. Place the couch along a wall, and arrange the chairs next to one another across from the couch, for example. Place a white-washed, glass-topped or antiqued trunk in front of the sofa as a coffee table.

5. Arrange decorative throw pillows that feature muted colors or prints that relate to the beach, such as lighthouses and seashells, on the back of the couch and chairs.

6. Drape a casual cotton or chenille tan, green or blue throw blanket on the arm of the couch.

7. Fill clear bowls with seashells, sea glass and pebbles, and set them on the coffee table and wall shelves.

8. Display a landscape picture of the beach in a wood frame above the sofa or on a focal wall in the room.

Monochromatic

1. Paint the walls a warm shade of white, such as eggshell or ivory.

2. Place a white area rug on the floor. Choose a solid white area rug or one that features a design using different shades of white and light gray.

3. Situate the furniture in a simple arrangement that allows for conversation. Use two white upholstered sofas, and place them in the center of the room, directly across from one another. Set a glass-topped table with chrome legs or a white lacquered table between the two sofas and matching end tables next to the sofas.

4. Arrange decorative throw pillows in different shades of white along the back of the sofas.

5. Illuminate the space with chrome lamps topped with white shades.

6. Hang white or light gray floor-to-ceiling curtains on the windows.

7. Display a large image of a single white flower or white geometric shapes on the wall in a silver frame. Or, for an unexpected pop of color, hang pictures of red shapes or flowers.

References

• "Country Living": Beach House Decorating