When I mention a room done in primarily white or cream what is your reaction? Ahhh, that is beautiful or ohhh, that is high maintenance? Is it the basis for an exciting room or is it boring?

No doubt, upholstery in white or cream can be a magnet to foods such as cherry popsicles or chocolate pudding. You definitely want to be prudent in where you use such furnishings. Rooms where the children and grandchildren primarily play should be filled with stain hiding fabrics. No matter what the color, the excellent stain resistant fabrics available today allow you to wipe away most accidents. Washable slip covers also allow you more freedom with the colors you can use in a child friendly room.

However, life is not all about child proof decorating. That is just a season of life for those with children. For singles and empty nesters it does not have to be a consideration. These homeowners are free to set the stage for a beautiful room filled with a color that has names like milk, chalk, eggshell, alabaster and cream.

The trick to using these shades of white in your decor is to combine them with hits of other colors. Cover your sofa with one creamy fabric and add two chairs to the room in another fabric with a different tone and texture. Complete the look with throw pillows in a favorite color. Lamps and accessories should pick up these colors and move the eye around the room. Some of the home decor magazines have featured white furniture with oversized pillows and accessories in a strong color. I especially love the trendy deep pink accents. By featuring pink in the pillows and a few other inexpensive pieces then it is very easy to change them when you fall in love with another color. Your white furnishings are like a little black dress. Always a classic but can be changed with the seasons and years.

Play around with colors until you find the ones that make you happy. White and black are a sought after combination in decorating, enhance these by adding small amounts of an accent color. Bone and gray make a quiet soothing combination but when you add touches of yellow you will give it more personality. Royal blue and white never goes out of style, neither does girly pink and white. An elegant but fresh combination is plum and cream with touches of green.

If you love the throw back look of mid century modern then white decorating works well for you. How about flanking the fireplace of your den with two white leather or vinyl sofas. Orange and turquoise are the colors that come to mind when you think of the groovy decor of the times but other colors fit the style too. An icy blue and lettuce green are a calm combination to use on the walls and in accessories. For a bit more energy in the room pull in red, black and yellow. Modern art that emphasizes these colors will give the white space a focal point.

White and its sister colors are a great starting point for your next home update. Have fun with it. Do not be afraid of it. But to be safe, you may want to ban the ketchup from the room.