White can inspire divisive reactions. For some, the color says clean, sleek, and modern, while others merely see blank and boring. But white doesn’t need to be relegated to minimalism and museum-chic. In fact, the queen of neutral hues has an astonishing versatility that can give any design scheme a lift.

“I adore white,” says designer Vera Wang. “It makes things so much easier for entertaining. It makes the food look better, it makes everything feel more modern. It doesn’t dictate, it’s very much there to help.”

Here, learn all the ways the snowy shade can bring your home décor together.

Use white to add texture

Pattern mixing and stand-out textures have been one of the hottest design trends of recent years, but the look requires a serious commitment to a style. For those craving the impact of bold patterns without all that color, a creamy white palette offers the opportunity to go wild. Pieces with dramatic textures like a glossy side table, faux fur cushions, or a funky woven wall hanging might not share a single design sensibility, but by pairing them in shades of white, the scheme remains cohesive.

The key to creating a white-based space that’s soothing, not stark? Mix in different shades like ecru, alabaster, and ivory that will create a visual separation between your layers to amp up the visual interest.

Make statement pieces stand out

There’s a reason that top chefs all over the world opt for pristine white plates: When you create a work of art, you want the frame you present it with to serve as a spotlight, not a distraction.

Whether you’re crafting culinary delights or translating that concept to your bed, bath, or living room, the liberal application of streamlined white is the most dynamic way to give extra impact.

For a stunning dining space, set the scene with classic white serving ware like the Vera Wang Wedgwood Vera Perfect White collection, and let your culinary concoctions take center stage.

Balance trendy with timeless

We love a fun design trend as much as the next interiors buff, but it would be a mistake to overlook the value of timeless pieces.

To craft a design scheme that’s equal parts versatile and satisfying for years to come, start with a base of classic, streamlined white pieces that can work as accents for any style. Think: white linens, white countertops, and every day white china.

Then, whether you develop a yen for painted cabinets, a craving to make your space more boho, or want to shake up your table settings with seasonal touches, you can revamp your look with ease—without having to worry about the style coming off dated.

Pull together a color palette or room-to-room scheme

If you’re struggling to mesh all of your style inspiration into a single cohesive scheme, consider the color white the ace up your sleeve. Tie together contrasting shades with appropriate tones of white—warm whites with earth tones, more blue-toned whites with cool shades—or transition between rooms with distinct schemes (like those in fashion designer Jorge Vázquez’s Madrid apartment) by creating a divide with a clean white space like a hallway, doorframe, or large white furnishings.

Draw the eye through the space

Part of making a visually pleasing space is allowing the eye to move effortlessly through your room. White is a brilliant color for doing precisely that, as the human eye is naturally drawn to sources of light, which white reflects more powerfully than other hues. Add pops of white throughout a room—from picture frames and pillows to the servingware in your china cabinet—to naturally draw attention throughout the space.

Provide negative space to refresh the eye

Love bold aesthetics? Take a cue from the world’s top museums and create white spaces for a visual break. Whether it’s an impactful color, a bold pattern, or a striking texture, offsetting a look with white prevents what could otherwise feel overwhelming to the eye, taking it down to a polished finish.

Why You Shouldn’t Underestimate the Simplicity of White by Lauren Hubbard | Elle Decor