Of the many interior design misconceptions, one that's especially deceiving is the idea that white equates to boring. While there are many ways to incorrectly incorporate a white palette into your home, there are hundreds of ideas for making this neutral shade shine. Just because your rooms aren't a riot of color doesn't mean they have to be bland or uninspired, and with great guidance—and greater inspiration—you'll discover that white is the most versatile backdrop.

These well-appointed spaces prove that neutral walls can be striking too. Below, find of our best ideas for decorating with an anything-but-basic white palette.

SLEEK WHITE FARMHOUSE

A strict palette of white and gray gives this Connecticut farmhouse an airy sense of grandeur, combined with large-scale paned windows, distressed white oak floors, and sculptural light fixtures.

MODERN MIAMI WHITE

For an apartment in Miami's legendary Surf Club, Delphine Krakoff creates a vivacious welcome in the all-white entry hallway with a wavy, rainbow mural by Sol LeWitt that snakes through the 50-foot-long, windowless space.

WHITE STEEL STAIRCASE

A white perforated steel staircase contrasts with the black stained-oak floors in a Brooklyn triplex, creating a modern sense of openness that feels refined yet playful.

1960S STYLE WHITE

With striking views to the Côte d’Azur and a whimsical assortment of sculptural furniture, fashion designer Lisa Perry makes her mostly-white home feel exceptionally grand.

MATURE WHITE PLAYROOM

Shannon McLaren Wilkins delivers a California cool vibe in this Newport Beach playroom, where crisp white walls are punctuated by youthful shades of blue and chartreuse.

ART-FILLED WHITE LIVING ROOM

In an East Hampton house designed for a pair of art collectors, crisp white walls and floors are the perfect backdrop to an exuberant collection of paintings and sculptures.

CLASSIC WHITE ENTRYWAY

Bright white walls serve as the backdrop of fine art in this Emma Jane Pilkington-designed prewar Manhattan apartment. In the entryway, an Alexander Calder sculpture sits atop an antique table, while a colorful painting by Jean Dubuffet hangs above.

TRADITIONAL WHITE AND BEIGE

Designer Alyssa Kapito fuses traditional and modern in this sleek SoHo duplex, blending shades of white, brown, and beige to create a cozy and layered appeal.