For a long time, wanting to sell your home meant repainting it all white; trying to make as clean a slate as possible. Then, color trends started to include a wide variety of neutrals like tans, grays and even blues and greens. Now, off-white is trending into the design space, but in a brand-new way. Gone are the days of the plain white wall and enter the days of the clean, off-white border or wall with a purpose.
Off-White as an Accent Color
You can create fresh new looks and patterns in your home with off-white as your new accent color. Off-white chair rails and trim on a gray wall cause it to pop without leaving the realm of neutrals and can make a room look larger than it really is by changing the viewers’ perspectives. It’s also great for creating paint pattern effects such as striping doors or accent walls using painter’s tape. Just tape off your design and paint between the lines. Need an updated kitchen look? Repainting your cabinets can make your kitchen look like an entirely new place. For a crisp, modern look, try a darker color on the cabinets with off-white on the doors or trim.
Off-White to Create a Built-in Look
A lot of flat-pack furniture comes in a variety of colors, but you can pretty much bet that it will come in a clean, off-white. An easy way to create the built-in cabinet or bookshelf look is to put a matching off-white on the wall behind the shelf, then attach the shelf to the wall for security. The off-white on off-white color scheme not only makes the inexpensive shelving units look like higher-end built-ins, but it also makes your books, photos and knick-knacks pop.
Off-White for Effect
Using whitewash or weathered white paint can completely change the look of siding, shiplap, wooden shelving, furniture and cabinets. While expensive to buy new, you can easily repaint your existing wooden elements in this new, old-fashioned way. Want that farmhouse or country vibe? Use the weathered look to make your old furniture look new again. You can also create clever wall art effects by putting all off-white signs or sculptures on of top darker walls or create an embossed look by putting off-white cutout designs on a matching wall. Switch up the look by using different white shades or making some items glossy and others matte.
When you’re shopping around for a new home, don’t forget that you have complete control over the colors once you move in. If you can visualize a new, off-white-based color scheme in the space, it can completely change the vibe of the home from old-fashioned to modern or from dark to clean and elegant. Ask your real estate agent for interior design advice when getting your home ready to sell, and when you’re ready to move into the new place they can set you up with interior designers to help create a home that is completely yours.