A white room can feel like a blank canvas — or like you’ve just moved in and haven’t unpacked your personality yet. The good news is that warming up a boring, builder-grade space doesn’t require a major overhaul. According to TikTok creator and interior designer Lily Walters, if a room feels cold, it’s probably because…
You can’t achieve coziness with a single beige throw blanket. Real warmth, as she explained in a recent video, comes from layering texture, mood-setting lighting, and pieces with personal meaning. Here’s how to bring those elements to life.
Layer Accent Lighting
White walls can quickly veer into feeling like a cold doctor’s office, especially when paired with harsh overhead lighting. Instead, build a warmer atmosphere with varied accent lighting. Mix a table lamp with wall sconces, a floor lamp, and even candles to create a soft, layered glow. (If your fixtures are on dimmers — allowing you to customize the light to pair with the mood and sunlight — even better.) Always choose bulbs rated at 2700 Kelvin; that’s the designer-approved sweet spot for warmth.
Make It Touchable With Texture
“Texture is what makes a space feel touchable,” Walters shared. It invites you to sit and stay awhile (unlike, say, your grandma’s plastic-covered couch). The trick is not being afraid to mix materials to add depth. Hang linen window coverings adjacent to a jute rug, add ceramic art pieces atop a wooden side table, or toss velvet throw pillows on a leather couch.
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Contrasting with confidence is key. In her TikTok, the Denver-based interior designer suggested playing up contrast by pairing “shiny next to matte, old next to new, rough next to smooth.”
Add Meaningful Pieces
Warmth isn’t just visual; it’s also emotional. Layer in meaningful objects that come with a story, such as a framed photo of your childhood dog, a ceramic bowl from a local maker, or artwork you brought home from your honeymoon in Rome. Any piece of decor — the weirder, the better — that makes guests pause and ask, “Where did you get that?” will make a space feel unmistakably yours. These small, personal touches create a one-of-a-kind warmth that no big-box accessory can match.
