Category Archives: Interior Inspiration

Grey walls and a light grey shaker kitchen in a Scandinavian apartment

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I’m so amazed by the interior design of this beautiful Swedish apartment. The beautiful light grey shaker kitchen is the focal point of this home and the palette of the living room and bedroom match this setting perfectly with their grey walls, beautiful natural light coming in, and the beige and white color palette to enhance the decor.

A light grey shaker kitchen with stainless steel appliances and off-white walls

Light gray cabinets with stainless steel appliances and cabinet hardware

I think this kitchen has such an interesting color palette. It’s a bit lighter than the gray kitchens you usually see, yet it also doesn’t have white cabinets like a lot of the kitchen inspiration out there. The cabinet color is a very light and subtle gray with green undertones that contrast in such a subtle manner with the off-white wall in this L-shaped layout.

The white marble countertops and low marble backsplash add clean lines to the shaker kitchen cabinetry and the stainless steel exhaust and hardware add a subtle finish to the space. The black faucet and the black wall lamp finish off the design and add depth as well as contrast to the space.

A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, stainless steel appliances and a wood dining table
A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, stainless steel appliances and a wood dining table
A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, black faucet and white marble countertops
A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, black faucet and white marble countertops
A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, stainless steel appliances and a wood dining table
A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, black faucet and white marble countertops
A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, black faucet and white marble countertops

A dining room with warm wood tones as part of the kitchen

The dining area finishes off the interior design of the kitchen and the wood dining table and chairs add so much warmth to the color palette. The wood peg rail finishes off this dining corner beautifully and I love the colorful accents in the green plants that bring out the green undertones in the kitchen cabinets even more.

A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, stainless steel appliances and a wood dining table
A kitchen with off-white walls, a peg rail, wood dining table with J39 dining chairs and a rice paper pendant
A kitchen with off-white walls, a peg rail, wood dining table with J39 dining chairs and a rice paper pendant
A kitchen with off-white walls, a peg rail, wood dining table with J39 dining chairs and a rice paper pendant

Gray walls in a natural palette living room

The neutral color palette in the living room accentuates the sophisticated look the gray walls add to the space, while the warm hues of the rattan lounge chair and the wood tones in the coffee table warm up the light gray of the walls. The white-soaped hardwood floors soften the look even more.

Since the kitchen is adjacent to the living room, it is crucial that the color palette of the living room matches the one of the gray kitchen. The two palettes are different in shade, yet they go so well together.

Beige and off-white fabrics balance out the light gray walls

Gray walls can sometimes look a bit boring, yet by playing with the cool and warm undertones in the paint, you can achieve an interesting effect, something that is often used by an interior designer as well.

The white fabric sofa (It’s an Ikea sofa with a Bemz customer cover*) in soft linen has been decorated with a series of throw pillows in different shades of natural linen* for a textured effect that is enhanced by the beautifully textured area rug.

The black stained oval mirror on the wall adds a decorational element to the wall above the sofa, but it also reflects the kitchen, which is a nice touch.

A living room with light grey walls, a white linen sofa, oval mirror, structured area rug, wood coffee table, rattan lounge chair
A grey shaker kitchen with off-white walls, a black wall lamp, stainless steel appliances and a wood dining table
A living room with light grey walls, a white linen sofa, oval mirror, structured area rug, wood coffee table, rattan lounge chair

A built-in low bookcase for a finished effect

Rather than placing a furniture piece next to the sofa, the owners of this home went through the trouble of building a custom solution that is lifted off the hardwood floors and has been painted in the same gray wall color for an integrated effect.

Even though this apartment doesn’t have crown molding, it does have elaborate baseboards that have also been applied to the built-in bookcase.

A living room with light grey walls, a white linen sofa, built-in low bookcase

Light gray walls and the same gray paint on the wardrobe in the bedroom

The gray walls in the bedroom have also been applied to the built-in wardrobe, which has been built into the space in a similar way as the bookcase in the living room. The floorboards have been applied to the bottom of the wardrobe and the bedroom walls have been painted up until the top of the wardrobe, creating the visual illusion of crown molding and seamlessly integrating the wardrobe into the space.

The linen curtains, white bedding, and beige blanket enhance and warm up the color palette in a similar way as in the living room, which ties the interior design of both spaces together.

Just like in the dining room, wooden furniture is added in the bedroom for a warm and textural effect. The gray walls form the perfect backdrop for a small home office corner with a wood desk and wood chair.

A bedroom with light grey walls, beige bedding, a light grey wardrobe, black wall lamp
A bedroom with light grey walls, beige bedding, a light grey wardrobe
A bedroom with light grey walls, beige bedding, black wall lamp, a home office spot with a wood table and chair
A bedroom with light grey walls, home office spot with a wood desk and a J39 chair
A bedroom with light grey walls, beige bedding, black wall lamp
A bedroom with light grey walls, white door frame, peg rail, built in wardrobe
A bedroom with light grey walls, beige bedding, black wall lamp, a home office spot with a wood table and chair

via Alvhem

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Small home with grey walls and a touch of blue

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I’m always so inspired by small-space living and the way the layout of a small apartment can fit together like a glove. It all comes down to selecting exactly the right furniture and accessories and finding a color palette that works in a small space.

This beautiful home is not quite as small as a studio space, since it has a separate bedroom, yet it still combines multiple functionalities in just two rooms. Head over to this blog post to find a list of the most inspiring studio homes and how you can make them work.

A living room with grey walls, beige soft furnishings, and a blue touch

The living kitchen of this apartment combines a sofa area, a kitchen, and a small dining table. The grey walls a give soft look to the daylight coming in through the windows and they add a bit of sophistication to the interior design of the space.

The beige color palette in the soft furnishings warms up the color palette and the beige wall-to-wall (or almost wall-to-wall but you get the gist) linen curtains by the window make the room appear wider. I love the way they contrast with the cool undertones in the grey paint on the walls.

The textured off-white area rug adds a soft touch to the sofa area with the beige sofa and lightens up the hardwood flooring, again making the space appear bigger. The rug also visually separates the sofa area from the rest of the space. The beige sofa is an older Ikea model, enhanced with a Bemz custom cover* and I love the way the Formakami ricepaper pendant* centers the coffee table in the space.

A blue dining table highlights the blue undertones in the gray paint

The blue table is definitely the point of interest in the room, as it’s a color you don’t often see on a dining table.

In my own home, I always try to play with the combination of cool and warm tones, as it tends to add so much interest to a space. You don’t even have to go for a big furniture piece like in this case, you can experiment with a blue pillowcase on a beige sofa, or integrate a blue vase into your setting to try it out.

A living room with grey walls and a beige sofa, a Formakami ricepaper pendant and a light textured area rug
A living room with grey walls and a light blue dining table with natural wood chairs
A living room with grey walls and white open shelving, black table lampe
A living room with grey walls and a beige sofa, a Formakami ricepaper pendant and a light textured area rug
A living room with grey walls and a light blue dining table with natural wood chairs
A living room with grey walls and a light blue dining table with natural wood chairs
A hallway with grey walls and white doors

A bedroom with an exposed brick wall

The bedroom has the same grey wall color as the living room, which appears a lot warmer because of the combination with the exposed brick wall.

While the exposed bricks already add so much texture to this bedroom, the rest of the decor has been kept quite simple. You can find a combination of linen throw pillows* in warm colors and a white linen bed skirt* on the bed and the same linen curtains as in the living room are used by the bedroom window.

Two mirrors decorate this small bedroom, reflecting the space from two separate angles and making the space look both bigger and lighter.

A bedroom with an exposed brick wall and a mixture of linen throw pillows in warm colors
A bedroom with grey walls and two mirrors reflecting the space to make it look bigger
A bedroom with an exposed brick wall and a mixture of linen throw pillows in warm colors
A bedroom with an exposed brick wall and a mixture of linen throw pillows in warm colors

via Kvarteret Makleri

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Light grey walls and a grey kitchen in a Scandinavian interior

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A light grey Scandinavian apartment with a grey kitchen

This beautiful Scandinavian interior in a turn-of-the-century Swedish apartment is decorated almost exclusively in tints of light grey, with a few beige, black and natural tones to bring in some variety in the color palette. This result in a very elegant and sophisticated look that matches the architectural style of the apartment well.

A classic gray kitchen in a Scandinavian interior design

Through the old sliding doors in the living room, you can take a peek into the kitchen with classic gray cabinet fronts in a minimal design, combined with a subway tile backsplash that goes all the way up to the ceiling.

The white of the subway tiles comes back in the dining table, which is warmed up with natural oak dining chairs. The kitchen gets a lot of natural light and the white table and tiled wall reflect this in a nice way.

The light grey walls in the space soften out the look and even the round arch going towards the hallway has been painted in light gray paint colors, which is a nice touch. The kitchen design itself is minimal, which you often see in a Scandinavian interior design, yet the classic elements of the space add a certain elegance to the space.

A grey kitchen with a subway tile backsplash, a white dining table and oak wood dining chairs
A grey kitchen with a subway tile backsplash, a white dining table and oak wood dining chairs
A grey kitchen with a subway tile backsplash, a white dining table and oak wood dining chairs
A grey kitchen with a subway tile backsplash, a white dining table and oak wood dining chairs

Light gray paint colors throughout the living room

The living room has been painted in a slightly darker shade of gray paint, which makes it a bit moodier. The natural light coming from the window can be dimmed by these heavy grey curtains that go wall-to-wall, and floor-to-ceiling and they give the Scandinavian interior design of the room a luxurious look and feel.

The sofas, area rug, and pouf have been picked out in a white and light gray palette, which brings out the cool undertones in the gray walls. The TV has been mounted on the wall and is matched up with a black bench and lamp for a bit of contrast in the space.

A grey living room with light grey, beige and white soft furnishings and tick dark grey curtains
A TV mounted on a wall with mouldings and a contrasting black bench underneath it to hold the speaker

Different shades of grey in the bedroom

The bedroom has a warm gray paint on the wall that is a bit darker, which is matched by the gray linen curtains on the wall that filter out the natural light coming into the room.

The light gray palette has been matched with a soft beige headboard, white bedding, and a beige day cover on the bed. These warm tones warm up the space and I love the set of fabric pendant lights on the ceiling that provides a soft glow inside the space. The basic Ikea Ivar cabinet is painted in the same color as the wall and offers some extra storage space in the bedroom.

Just like in the living room, the black elements like the bedside tables and the wall lamps add a bit of contrast to the gray paint on the wall and give the space a bit of character.

A grey bedroom with beige textiles, white fabric pendants and black accents in the lamps and bedside table
A grey bedroom with beige textiles, white fabric pendants and black accents in the lamps and bedside table
Ikea Ivar cabinets painted in the same grey color as the wall for a tone-on-tone look

via Brspec

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A greige home with oak kitchen cabinets and a minimal bedroom

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I love the way this apartment (sold via Innerstadtspecialisten) with light greige (grey-beige) walls has been decorated in a modest color palette with variations in the textures and materials of the kitchen, in the furniture, and in the soft furnishings.

An oak kitchen with a limestone countertop

I think the combination of the light oak kitchen cabinets with the beige limestone countertops and the greige wall color works in a very warm and inviting way. Limestone countertops are really on-trend lately and I think they offer such a soft tone to any color of cabinets compared to the widely popular white marble.

The exhaust has been built-in and painted in the same color as the walls and together with the tall module against the wall, they are the only wall cabinets in this kitchen which makes for a very open and airy look in this L-shaped layout. The kitchen island with a waterfall countertop also provides lots of storage space, so rather than going for wall cabinets, an open shelving solution was picked out to display just a few items.

The black tones in the open shelving and in the pendant lighting above the kitchen island provide a lovely contrast to this otherwise warm look and a series of functional spots have been added on the ceiling to light the other side of the kitchen.

An oak wood kitchen with a limestone countertop, greige walls, black pendant lights and black open shelving

An oak wood kitchen with a limestone countertop, greige walls, black pendant lights and black open shelving

An oak wood kitchen with a limestone countertop, greige walls, black pendant lights and black open shelving

An oak wood kitchen with a limestone countertop, greige walls, black pendant lights and black open shelving

An oak wood kitchen with a limestone countertop, greige walls, black pendant lights and black open shelving

A dining room with black dining chairs

A living kitchen with a TV sideboard painted in the same color as the wall

A living kitchen with a TV sideboard painted in the same color as the wall

A living kitchen with a built-in TV cabinet

The decor of the living and dining room has been kept quite modest, with the black accents of the kitchen coming back in the dining chairs as well. The wall by the sofa has been turned into a TV wall with a custom-built cabinet for storage that has been painted in the same color as the wall for a tone-on-tone effect.

A minimal bedroom with dark grey elements

The bedroom is a lighter shade of warm grey on the walls, which has also been used on the built-in wardrobe for a subtle and elegant look. While the base palette of the bedroom is quite light, contrast is added by the dark grey bedding on the bed and the beautiful floor vases by the window.

A minimal bedroom with dark grey linen bedding, dark grey curtains and a tree by the window

A minimal bedroom with dark grey linen bedding, dark grey curtains and a tree by the window

A minimal bedroom with dark grey linen bedding, dark grey curtains and a tree by the window

A minimal bedroom with dark grey linen bedding, dark grey curtains and a tree by the window

A hallway with a custom built wardrobe and open shelving solution in grey

via Innerstadtspecialisten

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A cozy warm grey living room and a blue bedroom

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This beautiful yet simple apartment in Sweden has the most delicate warm grey paint color on the walls in the living room and a cool pale blue paint color in the fresh bedroom. The apartment itself is quite simple and modest, yet I find the subtle decor minimal yet striking.

Warm grey walls and lots of textures in the living room

The living room of the apartment has been painted in a warm grey (try out a swatch of Farrow & Ball Pavillion Grey* if you are looking for something similar) and the warm undertones of the paint are brought out by the combination of warm beiges, off-whites, and browns in the accessories and soft furnishings.

The light linen sofa (It’s the Ikea Soderhamn model with a Bemz custom cover*) is decorated with a beautiful mixture of throw pillows in warm colors and above the sofa, you can find an arrangement of art prints in the same tints for a cohesive look.

Opposed to the sofa a vintage sideboard adds even more warmth to the space which has been decorated with tints of brown and beige as well for a lovely warm look.

A living room with warm grey walls and a mixture of beige and brown in the accessories and soft furnishings
A living room with warm grey walls and a mixture of beige and brown in the accessories and soft furnishings
A living room with warm grey walls and a mixture of beige and brown in the accessories and soft furnishings
A living room with warm grey walls and a mixture of beige and brown in the accessories and soft furnishings
A living room with warm grey walls and a mixture of beige and brown in the accessories and soft furnishings
A small dining table against warm grey walls and white linen curtains

Pale blue walls in the bedroom

While the walls of the living room provide the space with warm undertones, the bedroom has been painted in pale blue wall color (try a swatch of Farrow & Ball Oval room blue* if you are looking for something similar) which adds a cool atmosphere to the space.

The pale blue wall color is paired up with crisp white linen bedding* and beige linen throw pillows* and together with the art print on the wall these really add a lovely warmth to the setting. I love the play between the warm and cool tints in the space and the linen bed skirt* adds a bit of a romantic touch to the room.

Pale blue bedroom walls combined with warm beige textiles and a beige art print
Pale blue bedroom walls combined with warm beige textiles and a beige art print
Pale blue bedroom walls combined with warm beige textiles and a beige art print
Pale blue bedroom walls combined with warm beige textiles and a beige art print

via Stadshem

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Dark grey walls throughout this turn-of-the-century apartment

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This beautiful turn-of-the-century apartment in Sweden (via Sjöman Frisk) has been fully painted with different shades of dark grey for a moody effect that looks stylish and characterful. The open-plan living kitchen has a slightly lighter shade of dark grey walls, while the bedroom features a deep charcoal grey that is a few shades darker and almost seems black from some angles.

The bedroom and living room are adjacent to each other, which means you can see the gray paint colors throughout the space nicely complementing each other.

Rather than going for a feature wall, the owners of this apartment didn’t hold back and painted every single wall in dark grey, including the window and door frames for an impressive effect. Imagine this apartment with white walls and it would have a lot less depth wouldn’t it?

A living room with dark grey walls and grey furniture combined with white and wood tones

A living kitchen with dark gray walls

A living room area with grey walls and green accents

The asymmetric shape of the dark grey living room includes a sofa and a dining area, which all evolve around a dark grey color palette that is warmed up by the wood tones that add some warm undertones to the palette.

The living room works well in such a dark color scheme because of the abundance of natural light coming through those tall windows. Note that the wall space above the windows has been kept in the same color as the white ceiling, to make the space appear bigger.

The soft grey sofa is combined with a light grey area rug and green tints in both the throw pillows and the plants and the round mirror on the wall reflects the dining space from the living room area, which is such a nice touch.

A living room with dark grey walls and grey furniture combined with white and wood tones

A living room with dark grey walls and grey furniture combined with white and wood tones

A living room with dark grey walls and grey furniture combined with white and wood tones

A living room with dark grey walls and grey furniture combined with white and wood tones

A dining area with a mixture of dark grey, black, and oak wood

The large black dining table adds more depth to the dark grey walls, while the dining chairs soften out this palette. The large artwork on the wall is a great focal point in the living room altogether and lightens up the dark grey walls in the space. Rather than going for a gallery wall, you can select a big piece like this one to really break up dark gray walls, and you don’t have to hang all the individual picture frames in the right spot, which is a big plus.

The Flos AIM modular pendant lamp* above the table adds a little something special and ties the living room design together in such a nice way. This lamp works so nicely here because of the high ceilings and fits the color palette perfectly.

A dining room with dark grey walls, with a black dining table, oak dining chairs and an eye-catching art piece

A dining room with dark grey walls, with a black dining table, oak dining chairs and an eye-catching art piece

A white kitchen with a black countertop to accentuate the dark gray walls

While the lighter area rug and the white armchair in the living room brighten up the color palette slightly already, the white kitchen with black countertops really adds some contrast to the interior design of the living room.

The black laminate countertop and the black open shelving match nicely with the dark grey walls and the white subway tile backsplash and mimic the contrasting palette of the dining area. When you combine grey walls with black accents, it brings out the dramatic touch mid-grey or dark grey walls can add to a room, while if you combine it with tints of dark blue, it will have the same effect yet in a much cooler fashion.

A white kitchen with black countertops and black open shelving against a dark grey wall

A white kitchen with black countertops and black open shelving against a dark grey wall

A white kitchen with black countertops and black open shelving against a dark grey wall

A bedroom with charcoal gray walls and dark curtains

The dark gray walls in the bedroom are a few tints darker than in the living room, which makes this space even more dramatic. Since there is only one window in this narrow space bedroom, the daylight that comes in is far reduced, making gray walls a great choice to enhance the small-space look.

While the dark gray walls and the dark curtains add a lot of depth to the space, the single print above the bed, the light and white bedding, and the lighter gray paint color on the built-in wardrobe brighten up the wall color a bit which adds a lot of interest to the interior design.

A bedroom with a dark grey wall and light accent pieces in the textiles, accessories and art print

A bedroom with a dark grey wall and light accent pieces in the textiles, accessories and art print

A bedroom with a dark grey wall and light accent pieces in the textiles, accessories and art print

A bedroom with a dark grey wall and light accent pieces in the textiles, accessories and art print

A back bedroom home office space against the dark gray walls

A modular String shelf* in black has been added to the gray walls opposite of the bed to add a small spot to work from the bedroom. The deep color palette of the black shelving and the gray walls have been warmed up by the reds in the accessories and the art print on the wall.

A black modular String shelf as a home office spot in a bedroom with dark grey walls

A black modular String shelf as a home office spot in a bedroom with dark grey walls

How to achieve dark grey walls in your own interior design

Will dark grey walls work in my space?

While a dark shade of gray walls can look very impressive in a room of any size, this wall color tends to work better for more spacious, well-lit spaces. If you are working with a darker, smaller room, I would go for gray walls that are a few shades lighter to open up the space more.

Are gray walls difficult to style and decorate?

Gray, in all shades, is a neutral color, and even though you can vary on the warm or cool undertones, giving your walls a gray coat of paint will result in neutral walls, which can serve as a perfect backdrop for a wide range of colors and materials in your decor.

How do I select the right paint for my grey walls?

Selecting gray paint for your walls is not that tricky, yet you do have to try out samples first as the natural light and the materials in a room can highly influence the cool or warm undertones that are brought out.

A few paints swatches you can try out for your grey walls

If you want to achieve mid to dark-gray walls like in the living room of this apartment, try out Farrow & Ball Plummett*, which intensifies in smaller spaces and has a modern look and feel perfect for minimal living spaces.

If you want to go for really dark gray walls like in the bedroom of this apartment, go for Farrow & Ball Off-black* and add a dramatic touch to your space.

But as I always recommend to my interior design clients as well, always buy a tester of the paint and take a look at how the paint reacts to the space.

via Sjöman Frisk

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A small attic apartment with smart kitchen storage

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This small attic apartment decorated with blue elements throughout is full of both vintage and modern treasures that go so nicely with the exposed brick wall that adds character to the space. What speaks to me the most however in this space is the kitchen.

The custom-built kitchen is spread out from the main living area into the hallway, providing storage space in each section. If you would like to see more space-saving solutions for small homes, I recommend checking out my post about small studio apartments.

A grey and oak kitchen with extra storage space in the hallway

The section of the kitchen that holds the main functionality has been constructed out of oak wood cabinet fronts combined with a dark marble countertop. The upper cabinets are made out of a grey laminate and match the tall cupboards that continue towards the hallway. I think this is such an elegant storage solution that uses different materials in different sections.

The rest of the space includes a small dining area with a beautiful blue pendant light that contrasts so nicely against the exposed brick wall and I love the way the blue comes back in the stool with the lemon tree as well.

A grey and oak wood kitchen with a dark marble countertop
A grey and oak wood kitchen with a dark marble countertop
A grey and oak wood kitchen with a dark marble countertop
A small attic space with vintage pieces
A small attic space with vintage pieces
A small attic space with vintage pieces
A small attic space with vintage pieces
A small attic space with vintage pieces
A small attic space with vintage pieces

A bedroom in a similar color palette

The bedroom has the same combination of warm tints with elements of blue that can be found in the living room, which ties together both rooms in a nice way.

The subtle warm grey color on the wall (Farrow & Balls’ Old white* might give you a similar look) warms up the black accent pieces and spreads a soft light throughout the space.

via Nya kvadrat

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10 cozy minimalist bedroom ideas

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When it comes to minimalist interior design, there is a scale ranging from empty and almost clinical spaces to interiors with some points of visual interest that make a room cozy and characterful. While I would still call myself a minimalist, I favor adding a few details and decor pieces to make the interior more personal. You can do so by still maintaining a minimalist interior look.

When it comes to the bedroom though, I like things clean and minimal, without too much fluff. With a few neutral tones in the textiles, accessories, or art prints, you can elevate a minimalist style and make it cozy and inviting.

Below you can find a collection of my favorite minimalist bedroom ideas that I find both cozy and minimal. You can find minimalist bedrooms in all sorts of sizes and shapes in the list.

10 minimalist bedrooms to take inspiration from

A spacious turn-of-the-century bedroom with black accents

Through those beautiful turn-of-the-century doors you can take a peek into this minimalist bedroom with white walls, high ceilings, and an abundance of natural light. The wall behind the bed hides away a walk-in closet and I love the way the white linen bedframe with the crisp bedding (H&M has a great and affordable option*) blends into the space.

The dark color palette in the soft furnishings and accessories adds a lot of power to this minimalist bedroom and the dark tones in the velvet throw pillows* and the velvet bench behind the bed really stand out against all the white.

  • A white minimalist bedroom with black accents and lots of fabrics in a turn-of-the-century apartment
  • A white minimalist bedroom with black accents and lots of fabrics in a turn-of-the-century apartment
  • A white minimalist bedroom with black accents and lots of fabrics in a turn-of-the-century apartment

via Bjurfors

A minimalist space with a niche bedroom

This serene bedroom with lots of beige tints and white linen bedding* has been fitted inside a small niche space. The natural wood of the peg rail and the beige textiles really warm up the space, while the subtle black accents add character.

  • A minimalist bedroom in a niche space in a natural color palette
  • A minimalist bedroom in a niche space in a natural color palette

via Fantastic Frank

A minimalist bedroom with a Japandi vibe

This beautiful bedroom has a slightly awkward layout, but it works well combined with the armchair in front of the window and the home office on the other wall. The beige linen bedding* matches so nicely with the crisp white walls and the paper Formakami lampshade*.

The two white linen bathrobes* on the wall hanging are both a functional and an aesthetical element in the space and the subtle art prints enhance this modest look.

  • A minimalist bedroom with beige textiles and a Japandi vibe
  • A minimalist bedroom with beige textiles and a Japandi vibe
  • A minimalist bedroom with beige textiles and a Japandi vibe
  • A small home office in a minimalist bedroom

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Jonas Berg for Stadshem

White walls and visual interest in the details

Even though this minimalist bedroom has a lot of details, the base is very simple and consists of white walls, a simple white bed with a headboard, and a white wardrobe. The rustic bench behind the bed and the stool that is used as a bedside table gives the minimalist space a more rustic and laid-back look, which is enhanced by the beige tints in the accessories and the beige waffle throw* on the bed.

  • A minimalist bedroom with white walls and soft furnishing and accessories in beige tones
  • A minimalist bedroom with white walls and soft furnishing and accessories in beige tones
  • A minimalist bedroom with white walls and soft furnishing and accessories in beige tones

via Alvhem

A modern bedroom with a classic touch

The low bed design gives this minimalist bedroom a modern look, which has been balanced out by the classic lampshade on the ceiling and the turn-of-the-century details in the space. The sparse furnishings and empty space around the bed make you pay attention to the muted tones in the branch and the art print and the side table on one side of the bed gives the look a modern, asymmetric touch.

  • A minimalist bedroom with white walls and warm textiles and a fabric pendant light
  • A minimalist bedroom with white walls and warm textiles and a fabric pendant light
  • A minimalist bedroom with white walls and warm textiles and a fabric pendant light

Styled by Linnéa H. Manaberi, photographed by Frederik J Karlsson for Alvhem

A tiny minimalist bedroom with black accents

This tiny bedroom really benefits from a minimalist approach and the fact that the walls have been kept white turns this space into a comfortable bedroom that looks and feels spacious.

The white walls continue in the white linen bedding*, which is enhanced with a black contrasting accent pillow and grey textiles. The wardrobe has been painted black and has become a true focal point in the all-white space.

  • A tiny minimalist bedroom with black accent pieces and white walls
  • A tiny minimalist bedroom with black accent pieces and white walls
  • A tiny minimalist bedroom with black accent pieces and white walls

via Alvhem

A minimalist bedroom with a monochromatic palette and lots of textiles

The textiles enhance this minimalist bedroom in such a lovely way and give the space an airy feel. The sheer curtains (find affordable linen curtains here*) on both sides soften out the natural light coming in through the windows, while the mixture of textiles on the bed adds a lot of extra depth and texture to this look. The soft curves of the beautiful black wall lamp and the clean lines of the black bentwood chair add a few contrasting lines to the minimalist feel of this bedroom.

  • A spacious minimalist bedroom with sheer curtains and linen bedding
  • A steel wardrobe frame for hangers

Styling by Lotta Agaton and photography by Kristofer Johnsson – see the full home tour here

A small minimalist bedroom with white walls

This small minimalist bedroom doesn’t seem to have any direct daylight coming in, which is why an all-white color palette with white wall lamps and white bedding* is a great choice that makes the space look more bright and spacious. This all-white look also has a very minimal effect which has been made interesting with the black throw pillows and the subtle black line art print on the wall.

  • A white minimalist bedroom in a small niche space with subtle black accents
  • A white minimalist bedroom in a small niche space with subtle black accents

Photographed by Janne Olander for Stadshem

Light grey walls and white details for a minimal look

The beautiful blue turn-of-the-century doors that come out into this minimalist bedroom are very characterful, especially combined with the warm wood flooring.

To make these beautiful features stand out in the best way, the design of the bedroom has been kept very simple and minimal, with white bedding with a subtle black trim*, a light grey paint color on the wall, and a natural rug that matches the color of the hardwood flooring.

  • A minimalist bedroom with light grey walls and crisp white linen bedding
  • A minimalist bedroom with light grey walls and crisp white linen bedding
  • A minimalist bedroom with light grey walls and crisp white linen bedding

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Janne Olander for Stadshem

Touches of beige and dark wood for a warm minimalist vibe

Rather than a side table on each side of the bed, this beautiful minimalist bedroom features a small cabinet in a dark wood on each side of the bed, combined with the same gold wall lamp above each.

The beige striped bedding matches the color palette in the art print on the wall and the rice paper shade adds a bit of a Japandi vibe to the space.

  • A minimalist bedroom with warm wood and beige details in the accessories and textiles
  • A minimalist bedroom with warm wood and beige details in the accessories and textiles

via Stadshem

Accessories in the same color family for a minimal look

While this is definitely the least minimalist bedroom on the list, the minimal color palette and the neutral tones in the textiles, and the gallery wall above the bed have a very minimal look, yet with added character.

  • A white minimalist bedroom with a big gallery wall above the bed
  • A white minimalist bedroom with a big gallery wall above the bed
  • A white minimalist bedroom with a big gallery wall above the bed
  • A white minimalist bedroom with a big gallery wall above the bed

via Alvhem

How can you create your own minimalist bedroom look?

Remove visual clutter

If you don’t yet have a very minimal look in your space right now, it’s easiest to start with removing things before you start to select decorative items to enhance your minimalist bedroom. Having fewer items in your bedroom altogether will make it easier to keep it clutter free and organized.

Make sure you have ample storage space

A great wardrobe that can hold all your clothes is an essential furniture piece (whether you place it in your bedroom or in a separate room) as it will allow you to keep all items that you don’t want to display organized and out of sight.

Look for a perfect balance of bright whites and neutral colors

White walls are a great and easy start for a simple bedroom design and they give you lots of options to work with a restrained palette, while still creating an interesting look within a minimalist bedroom.

Work with the biggest furniture pieces like the bed and wardrobe in a white or neutral color and finish off with details in subtle tones. You can add simple furniture pieces like bedside tables in black or wood tones and work with the textiles and accessories to create texture and visual points of interest. Remember that it’s easy to switch out a throw pillow, wall hanging, or art print, yet it’s a bit more challenging to change out the furniture in a space.

Before you start working with the accessories, it’s good to decide whether you want to work with dark accents, or warm tones to enhance your minimalist bedroom. Once you decide that you can not go wrong with experimenting until you get the perfect minimalist feel in your bedroom that you are happy with.

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A tranquil pavilion house in Suffolk

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A tranquil pavilion house in Suffolk

Norm Architects designed this pavilion house in Suffolk, UK, as a beautiful inside-out construction, where you can get a glimpse of the surrounding nature from every room. The minimal and tuned-back architecture makes you pay attention to the beautiful countryside and frames it in a lovely way.

What is a pavilion?

A pavilion building is a subsidiary building either attached to the main building or placed within its surroundings. Pavilions can range in size, from a small garden pavilion to an entire extension just like in this case.

A pavilion built to complement the main building

The steel construction, wooden window frames, and vertical cladding of the pavilion design correspond to the design of the existing building. Since the pavilion needed to stand out against the impressive park-like countryside surroundings, it was raised on a dark basalt foundation which introduces a shadow gap between the land and the pavilion, which has the effect of seemingly raising the pavilion from the land it stands on.

The pavilion interior

Transparency stands front and center in the design of the pavilion so that the surroundings become an integral part of the interior. The color palette of the interior is very modest, so it fits with the surroundings.

The pavilion house is planned in a very open way, with different functional areas. The wood-burning stove divides the kitchen from the living room and dining area, where people can come together for entertainment, and recreation, and enjoy a sense of community.

A subtle white kitchen

The modest and tranquil way of designing the pavilion so all the attention goes to the natural surroundings has been continued in the kitchen as well, which is seamlessly integrated into the walls, with slim grey countertops for an elegant look and wooden furniture to enhance the natural feeling of the interior.

A dark cement bathroom

While the rest of the pavilion has a white and light base palette, the bathrooms have darker cement walls, which create a sanctuary feeling of separation from the surroundings. Some windows have been carefully placed in strategic places to allow light to flow in and privacy to be ensured.

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26 Inspiring limewash paint interiors for added texture

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Limewash paint is a great way to add texture to a modern and minimalist interior setting. The shadowy effect on the paint surface adds a textural effect to your interior. Moreover, it removes the need for a lot of wall decor.

You can create a subtle or expressive cloudy effect depending on the brush pattern. This effect will make the furniture pieces and accessories you place in front of your walls pop out.

Below, you can find my favorite limewash paint interiors and ideas. In this list, you will find inspiration for integrating limewashed walls in your home. Ranging from living rooms to bedrooms, kitchens, and even accent walls

What is limewash paint?

Limewash paint has been around for ages. Even though it was used in the old world, it has gained popularity in the last few years in modern homes as well.

Limewash paint consists of natural ingredients only. It’s a non-toxic paint with no volatile organic compounds and no chemicals. The environmentally friendly solution even absorbs carbon dioxide improving interior air quality in your space.

The production process is simple. Crushed limestone mixed with water and natural pigments forms a lime putty. You can apply this putty in thin coats on the wall, creating a beautiful texture.

Limewash paint is much thinner than Venetian plaster. Its consistency gives it a more relaxed impression, achieved by layering one coat on top of the other.

Limewash living room examples

A subtle lime wash treatment on the walls and ceiling details

The white soft furnishings pop out against the beige limewash paint on the living room walls. The lime surface forms the perfect backdrop for an elegant living room decor.

The texture of the lime paint evens out the irregular wall corners in the floor plan. A few selected pieces of wall decor suffice to decorate the textured walls in this modern space.

A living room with beige limewash walls

via Unika Hem

A rustic effect with half limewash walls in an attic apartment

When you are working with sloped ceilings, there are two ways to paint your walls. You can either stop the limewash paint where the ceiling starts or paint the ceiling as well. I have an example of that in the list below.

The interior designer of this attic home picked out a light grey limewash paint. The wall paint complements the white paint on the ceiling and adds a subtle textured effect.

A living room with half limewash walls paired with a white sloped ceiling

Styling by Bon Interior, photographed by Mariah Salander for Bjurfors

Light grey limewash paint in an open-plan living room

The tick white trim below the ceilings contrasts against the light grey lime paint in this space. The complementary warm textiles add a warm and inviting atmosphere to the interior.

Grey limewashed walls in a living space with colorfull accent furniture

Styling by Grey Deco, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

A dark grey lime paint for a dramatic effect

This beautiful living space has dark grey limewash paint on the walls. Against this dark tone, the white trim and tall floorboards stand out. This adds a strong contrast, yet the white surfaces lighten up the space a bit as well.

The dark color palette in the furniture pieces pops out from the light hardwood flooring.

A living room with dark grey limewash paint on the walls, grey sofa

via Historiska Hem

Inspiring limewash bedroom wall designs

Light grey limewash paint and black accents in a spacious bedroom

Where traditional paint will look flatter, limewash paints are great for adding extra dimension to an otherwise minimal interior. You can see the subtle brush strokes on the wall in the bedroom below. If you don’t like this many brush strokes, you add another coat.

The black lamps and the textiles on the bed contrast with the natural pigments in the paint. I love the warm tones on the duvet cover and the artwork on the wall. They contrast with the cool undertones of the grey limewash paint.

An elegant bedroom with light grey limewash walls and black accent light fixtures

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Fredrik j Karlsson for Alvhem

Warm grey lime wash paint paired with wood and brass accents

The warm grey limewash paint used in this bedroom adds a warm glow to this marvelous interior. The paint texture adds a cozy and inviting touch to the space, contrasted by a white baseboard on the bottom.

The gold candle wall scones and the mirror are the only decorations present on the wall. This scarcity allows the lime paint to shine in the bedroom interior.

A cozy bedroom with beige limewash paint on the wall with a visible brush stroke texture

via Alvhem

A dark grey bedroom limewash wall stands out in a white interior

The darker color limewash walls are a real focal point in this interior with white living room walls. The dark grey contrasts with the natural wood double doors. Green plants connect both room styles and add a fresh touch.

A bedroom with a dark grey limewash paint on the walls

via Stadshem

A rustic effect with lime wash paint and a vintage sideboard

This cozy bedroom features a beautiful combination of different textures. The lime paint texture complements the distressed look of the vintage dresser. The darker backdrop makes the vintage piece stand out.

A bedroom with grey limewash paint and white vintage furniture

via Stadshem

A subtle sage green bedroom with a limewash finish

This historic bedroom interior features sage-green walls with a limewash texture. The limewash makes the historic architectural features and the built-in wardrobe stand out.

A bedroom with sage green limewash treatment on the walls

via Alvhem

Grey Limewash paint combined with white window frames and a burgundy linen curtain

I love the texture the limewash paint gives this beautiful bedroom with a warm color palette. The white-soaped floor and the white window frames stand out against this texture. Finally, the burgundy tint on the linen curtain and the lamp add even more character to this bedroom.

A grey limewash paint combined with a warm color palette in a cozy bedroom

via Historiska Hem

A grey limewash paint is the base for a sophisticated and elegant look

The grey texture on the wall makes for the perfect backdrop for the elegant textiles in the space. The white fabric pendant light and the light oak stool behind the bed stand out in this color palette. As the cherry on top, the elegant thin black table lamps add a lovely touch of contrast.

A dark grey limewash paint on the bedroom wall that has the impression of concrete

Styled by Pella Hedeby, art director Therese Sennerholt, photographed by Erik Lefvander for Länna Mobler

A peach limewash paint paired with a white wardrobe and ceiling

The peach limewash treatment covers the entire wall structure in this bedroom interior. This results in such an impressive effect. The negative space of the white ceiling section makes the room look taller. For added contrast, the off-white wardrobe doors stand out against the warm wall color.

A peach limewash paint paired with a white wardrobe and ceiling

via Unika Hem

A contrasting grey with blue undertones paired with a white wardrobe

The beautiful grey limewash paint on the wall in this bedroom has blue undertones. These cool tones contrast with the impressive white wardrobe against the wall.

The mirror and the wall lamps pop out against the backdrop of the lime paint.

A grey limewash paint with blue undertones in a bedroom with a crisp white built-in wardrobe

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Janne Olander for Stadshem

A rich green lime paint contrasted by white textiles on the canopy bed

The rich green texture on the bedroom walls in the example below adds a dramatic look to the space. The white and beige textiles on the canopy bed light up the palette.

Green limewashed walls in a beautiful bedroom with a canopy bed

Styling by Grey Deco, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

Grey limewash paint and white accents

On this beautiful bedroom wall, the brush strokes are clear and visible. A second coat could make this effect more subtle.

The dark grey color of the limewash paint makes the white linen bedding and white wall lamps stand out.

Grey limewashed walls in a bedroom with white bedding, a white area rug and white lighting fixtures

The living room walls are painted with the same grey limewash paint for an integrated effect.

Grey limewashed walls in a bedroom with white bedding, a white area rug and white lighting fixtures

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Janne Olander for Stadshem

Blue limewash paint for a contrasting bedroom effect

Grey and beige are the most common color choices when picking out limewash paint. Yet this blue color variant looks so beautiful as well.

Blue is a perfect color for a bedroom, as it adds a fresh touch to the interior. This dark blue variant has a dramatic touch to it from which the lighter colors pop out.

A bedroom with contrasting dark blue limewash walls

via Entrance Makleri

Visible texture in the limewash paint brush strokes and a boho touch

The rattan headboard gives this bedroom a boho touch, complementing the limewash walls. The mixture of pink and peach textiles on the bed brings out the warm undertones of the limewash paint. Right below the ceiling, the moldings stand out against the wall.

A boho-style bedroom with a rattan headboard and a textural beige limewash wall

via Alvhem

A subtle grey lime paint with a matte finish and a light wood bed

Grey limewash paint can have a subtle industrial concrete touch to it. The resemblance with a concrete finish depends on the direction of the brush strokes.

A light grey limewashed wall combined with a light wood bedframe and a white area rug

This bedroom pairs a grey limewash paint with a wood bed for an industrial yet Scandinavian look.

A light grey limewashed wall combined with a light wood bedframe

Styled by Pella Hedeby, photographed by Ragnar Ómarsson for IKEA Livet Hemma

A moody bedroom with dark grey limewash paint

This is the darkest tint of limewash paint on the list. This dark color has a dramatic effect on this attic bedroom space. The sloped walls also have paint on them, yet the ceiling is white so the look doesn’t become too heavy.

A dark grey limewash treatment in a bedroom with a sloped ceiling

via Wrede

Beige limewash paint for a warm look with soft tonal variations

The warming color palette of this bedroom starts with the beige limewash paint as the basis for the look. Additionally, the vintage bedside tables, art prints, and warm textiles add more coziness.

The texture of the wall has an impressive effect on the space. This eliminates the need for a lot of details and accessories.

A bedroom with a beige limewash paint on the walls and a white trim underneath the ceiling

Styled by Linnéa H. Manaberi for Kvarteret Makleri

Limewash accent wall

A lime paint accent in between brick walls

A limewash accent wall is a great way to accentuate an interior feature. Limewash paint makes the niche between a brick arch stand out even more in this bedroom.

A beige limewash accent wall as the background of DIY shelving in between two brick pillars

The white shelving stands out against the beautiful textured backdrop. It’s the perfect spot for precious deco items.

A beige limewash accent wall as the background of DIY shelving in between two brick pillars

Styling by team Sarah Widman for  Alvhem

Grey limewash paint in a small and cozy apartment

Painting the entire interior with limewash paint is too much for some people. Alternatively, you can work with an accent wall in lime paint. In the example below, the grey limewash is paired with white paint. This creates an interesting effect in the room.

A grey limewash accent wall paired with a beige fabric sofa

Styled by Bon Interior, photographed by Jens Eliasson for Bjurfors

Limewash paint in the kitchen

Beige limewash paint behind black kitchen cabinets

In this kitchen, the black cabinets pop out against a soft beige backdrop of limewash paint. The beige wall color softens the contrast between the cabinet color and the walls.

Beige limewashed walls in a kitchen with black cabinets and wood dining chairs

Styling by Grey Deco, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

Lime paint on the walls and ceiling

This spacious living kitchen has tall sloped ceilings. Both wall and ceiling surfaces have limewash paint on them for a monotone textured look.

Limewash paint on the walls and ceiling in this living kitchen

The textural effect is much more impressive when you paint the entire space. The black furniture pieces and white kitchen stand out against this textured backdrop.

Limewash paint on the walls and ceiling in this living kitchen

Styled by Copparstad, photographed by Boukari for Historiska Hem

A sage green limewash wall complements a sage green kitchen

The sage-green limewash paint on the walls complements the gorgeous sage-green kitchen cabinets. This tone-on-tone look has an impressive effect on the space.

A sage green farmhouse kitchen with sage green limewash paint on the wall

Styled by Annica Clarmell and Emma Fischer, photographed by Janne Olander for Stadshem

Beige limewash walls complement exposed brick

The beige lime paint complements the brick wall surfaces in this living kitchen. Additionally, the limewash-painted walls make the crisp white kitchen cabinets stand out.

A living space with a white kitchen and exposed brick walls, wood dining table, black bentwood chairs, beige limewash wall

Styled by Linnéa H. Manaberi, photographed by Fredrik Karlsson for Alvhem

How to apply limewash paints

Do I need a primer?

Limewash paint can be used in the interior and exterior of a home. It works on wood, masonry surfaces, previously painted surfaces, and plastered walls. Whether you need a primer depends on the porosity of your surface.

If you are painting limewash paint on drywall or previously painted surfaces you will need a base coat. A mineral-based primer or acrylic-based primer will create a microporous surface. Note that the amount of limewash paint you need will also depend on the surface porosity. Porous surfaces will need much more than non-porous surfaces.

How to apply limewash paint

Limewash paint should be applied using several coats with a big brush. By doing this, you can create the desired finish. The ‘up and down’ method will deliver a more plain result. Use the ‘x-strokes’ method for a cloudy effect and a mottled appearance. More info about that here.

There is no right or wrong way to apply limewash paint. You can work with several thin coats to get the desired effect. At least two coats are necessary, as one coat shows all the streaks.

Apply the first coat and then see if you want to make changes to the texture in the next coat.

Where to get Limewash paint

Kalklitir has a beautiful collection of eco-friendly limewash paints with a nuanced texture. I love browsing through the interior spaces with limewashed walls on their Instagram.

Bauwerk colour has one of the biggest color catalogs for limewashed walls in any color or shade. They have great examples on their website as well to get some color inspiration.

For those of you based in US, Portola Paints might be a great local option, you can have a look at their website here.

Can you DIY limewash paint?

While I haven’t tried this myself, it is possible to make your own limewash paint. You would need to make a lime putty from water mixed with hydrated lime. The last one can be purchased in the hardware store. You then use natural pigments to get the desired color.

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