A cool Scandinavian palette of white walls may seem a little stark to some, but we think this example of blank canvas living perfectly illustrates. how you can color a space with little more than your personality. Your existing collections of books, artwork, kitchenware and even good food packaging can create beautiful pockets of color around your home.

Offset the clean lines of modern furniture by adding patterned throws, and don’t forget that plants always breathe life into a space. In this example, the greenery is picked up by an effective choice of chair color in the kitchen. To ensure you maintain a unified look in your home, it is worth noting the subtle stream of blue accent pieces that flow throughout this space. Use a mixture of cushions. textiles and even tea trays from the same color family to pull your space together in an understated fashion. The splashes of color will appear vibrant against a white backdrop, giving a cheerful, homely feel. To allow your personal items to shine, open-faced storage is a must, so this way of life may not be for the untidy amongst us!

Images via Stadshem