How to decorate with white

1. Use white to your advantage

In the West, white symbolises purity; just think of the expression 'pure as the driven snow' and wedding dresses. In other cultures, white is associated with mourning or peace. But all over the world, white is widely misunderstood when it comes to decorating. People underestimate that it comes in hundreds of different shades and can create very different moods. It can be therapeutic, traditional, calming, sterile and modern. Find out how to use white wisely...

2. Play with texture and colour

A white backdrop makes other colours 'pop', so have fun introducing small doses of bright colour with accessories. To avoid an all-white decor looking bland, vary texture with soft furnishings and coverings in a variety of materials and finishes. A mohair throw one day, metallic leather cushion the next. The cut-out detailing in this Stella felt rug felt rug (£350) from Love Eco highlights its pattern and depth. The room can change before your eyes.

3. Don't make your art compete with your walls

'If you have a collection of art, then the wall needs to be a backdrop to this, not in competition with it,' says interior designer Kelly Hoppen. Treat a white decorating scheme as a blank canvas - perfect for displaying your artwork. Decorative accessories or focal furniture become doubly striking in a white room. This Porcelain Flower chandelier (£100) from Next looks ultra elegant against a white background.

4. Why white is a thousand colours

You'll be amazed at the variety of white shades out there; subtle variations of undertone make a huge difference to mood. Yellowish tints like eggshell add warmth, bluish tints are cooling, bright whites lighten and greyish tints reduce glare. If going for an all-white theme in a room (walls, furniture, the works), pick a variety of shades throughout to avoid a flat, sterile look. This White bone inlay ram's head(£395) from Graham & Green would make an interesting addition. Make sure they complement each other, just as you would with any other colours.

5. Give your bathroom the spa treatment

White can be pure, fresh, serene and sterile; no wonder it's the colour choice of exclusive, luxurious spas. To create the five-star look yourself, paint your bathroom in a crisp white, accessorise with scented candles and natural objects like this Clam Bowl (£56) from 'notonthehighstreet', and indulge in fluffy white towels and a cosy white dressing gown. Bliss!

6. Transform small, dark spaces with white

'An all-white interior is a classic solution for making spaces seem lighter and bigger, and whatever light is allowed inside is doubled, taking on a luminous quality' says Gail Abbott, author of Living with White. Utilise white's light-reflective properties in a room with limited natural light such as a dark hallway or box room bedroom. White furniture was hot at the Milan Furniture Fair so you'll be right on trend with this Clara three-piece bedroom set (£99.99) from Argos.

7. Warning: white hides no sins

If you have young children or pets, exert some caution when decorating with white. Make sure you use high quality paint that can be easily cleaned. If you brave white upholstery, removable, washable covers are a must. For the kitchen, the Cori round table and four chairs set(£889) from Fornisca has easily wipeable surfaces. Or opt for white linen tablecloths which can be washed on a high heat to remove any stains.

8. Team white with blue or green

Teaming white with different colours will transform the mood. Blue and white gives a New England, nautical or Chinese feel - great for bathrooms. Green and white will bring the outside in for a tropical look. Be careful that white and coloured crockery does not detract from the beauty of your food. This leaf trail ceramic tea set(£15) from Wallace Sacks reveals the simple elegance of green and white together.

9. When white becomes dramatic

Like your favourite black dress, a black and white palette will always symbolise easy elegance and classic chic. For old-school glamour, go for a Sixties monochrome look. With no other colours to contend with, you have free-range to experiment with shape, prints and pattern. This faux suede armchair and footstool(£499) from Graham and Green adds texture against smooth white walls. Metallic surfaces and mirrors also work beautifully with the monochrome look. Don't be afraid of mixing stripes, spots and florals: anything goes!

10. White picket fences and patios

Why limit your white decorating frenzy to the indoors? There's nothing more charming and perfect for summer than white garden furniture. For a romantic French look paint a wooden bench or table and chairs in crisp, fresh white; don't forget your trellises and fences either. Keep cool in the sun (white deflects heat) under a white parasol and lounge on a white reclining chair (£299.99 for 6 seater patio set) from Argos.