In recent years, white furniture and finishes have been all about the farmhouse look, with a focus on worn whites that offer a warm, yet rustic feel. However, the latest white design looks are more contemporary. These clean white looks range from transitional in style to sleek and modern. Yet, they are surprisingly versatile, complementing many of today’s leading design trends—even the freshest urban styles.

Farmhouse Foundation

If you saw white furniture in the past decade, chances are high that it would be on a farmhouse style piece—from country-inspired bedroom furniture to an inviting farmhouse table. The whites were worn and warm. Distressed and dressed down for this casual style. White farmhouse sofas, or light cream and beige couches, are as ubiquitous to this style as the shiplap walls they are set against. From French countryside to country-casual, white farmhouse sofas differ in style, but tend to have a few underlying elements in common. They are cozy. Often overstuffed. Tufted. And often feature vintage-inspired styling.

While farmhouse is anywhere but out, 2021 is seeing more contemporary and polished looks joining the mix. The focus is on slimmer silhouettes, cleaner lines and sleeker styling. White finishes and upholstery are still around, but they are crisp and collected. What remains the same, however, is that white is a surprisingly versatile color in home design. It can be easily incorporated into your scheme through stunning white furniture or through white home accents and décor.

Contemporary White Bedrooms

There is perhaps no more versatile design color than white for bedrooms. White bedrooms are made to be dreamy and relaxing. In 2021, they are also stylish and modern. There are many ways to incorporate white into your bedroom design, starting with crisp white walls. When choosing a white paint or wallpaper color, it’s important to remember that there are many different shades of white. Evaluate the undertones, and how each white makes you feel before you focus in on the right color white for your walls. You’ll also want to invest in a high-quality white paint that can be washed or wiped as needed to keep your design looking fresh.

Another way to incorporate white into your bedroom design is through a white furniture. If you like matching, invest in a white bedroom furniture set. This year, we’re seeing minimal white furniture that will look just right in your modern master suite, but can also be a good fit for many casual room styles. Look for designs and finishes that lend to numerous interpretations of urban, suburban and even coastal feels. Details like the use of fabric, nailheads, and thoughtful shelves and drawers will present an overall air of sophistication and upscale style.

You can add pops of color in your white bedroom through vases, candles and lamps placed on top of your dresser and nightstands. Wall art can bring your favorite hues into your white master suite or guest bedroom, and bedding is easy to switch out as you feel the need for a color infusion.

• Pair white with wood to add warmth to your bedroom. Clean white walls and/or furniture are enhanced by deep wood pieces and will give you dreamy results.
• Create a palette with white and blue. It’s relaxing, classic and yet creative. There are a variety of sea blue tones that can give you a relaxing, beachy look.
• Crisp white bedding will make your room look polished, with little effort and minimal investment. Hello, five-star boutique!
• Look for pieces that feature white with silver to add a glam yet not overstated touch to your bedroom. It’s a color combination that’s neutral but definitely not boring.

White Living Spaces

Maybe you’ve shied away from white tones in your living spaces, from formal living rooms to open concept living spaces to casual family rooms and dens. Perhaps you have incorporated distressed white tones in a cozy-country look. If you are looking for a living room update, bright white furniture and décor can be the change you crave in 2021. White furniture, from a white upholstered sofa to a white leather couch, can make a sophisticated centerpiece for your living space. Choose one with crisp tailoring and a slim design to heighten the polished effect of the piece.

You can pair your white seating with accent furniture featuring a white finish on the legs, or even a marble-looking white surface. Look for architectural, clean lines to complement your contemporary living room. A sophisticated side table or coffee table can also be used in a transitional styled room, adding a current touch to your overall design.

• If a white sofa or sectional makes you nervous, consider adding white to your seating area in a smaller way. A white recliner or accent chair can complement almost any sofa or sectional in your space.
• A white area rug can lighten up your conversation area. Choose a size that is large enough to fit at least the front two feet of all of your seating pieces.
• Brighten up your room in more ways than one with a white floor lamp, or place a set of white table lamps on your accent tables.

Bright White Décor

In most of these examples, we’ve recommended creating a clean base for your design with white walls and/or white furniture. You can then add pops of colors through accessories such as pillows and wall art. However, white room décor can be used in white rooms—just focus on texture to add visual interest to your room. Alternatively, you can also balance out a colorful room, featuring bright walls or statement furniture, with sophisticated white décor. Choose a white lamp with a sparkling base to add a glam touch to your room, or add a couple of white throw pillows and a white throw blanket that will match any colors you already have in your space.

White Tips

While we’ve proven that white is versatile, there are some obvious drawbacks. First and foremost, white doesn’t hide dirt. If you have pets, kids, or that one clumsy family member or friend, that doesn’t mean white furniture and décor is out of your design reach. Follow these tips to keep your white pieces looking their best.

• Try off-whites. Light neutral colors such as beige and eggshell can give you the same design benefits of white, without highlighting every little off-color spec they collect.
• Focus on textures. Soft textures add interest to a room. They can also help hide a little bit of dirt, so you don’t have to worry about your whites not looking fresh off the press.
• Invest in stain resistant pieces. When it comes to white sofas, there are many performance fabric options that will resist staining and offer lower maintenance.

With an investment in quality pieces, thoughtful selection of materials and appropriate care, you can enjoy white furniture and home décor as part of your sophisticated home design. Pieces with contemporary styling will feel right at home with a wide spectrum of design styles, from transitional to modern. Don’t be afraid to experiment with white furniture and décor in 2021!