Ivory Color Guide: Refresh + Calm with Soothing Off-White

Ivory Living Room Ideas

In the living room, use ivory sparingly (especially if you live with kids!). Ivory makes stains, spills and dirt easily visible, so unless you know there won't be any accidents, it's safer to incorporate ivory in small doses. Instead of ivory-white carpeting, for instance, go with a smaller ivory area rug, which takes up less floor space and is the easier to clean!

• An ivory rug to anchor the room with a touch of cozy sophistication. 
• Ivory paint on the walls to enhance an open, airy feel. Flowy ivory curtains to filter natural light beautifully and add soft texture to the space.
• An ivory accent chair for extra charm and balance in the layout.
• Ivory accent pillows for layered comfort while maintaining a cohesive look.
• Incorporate an ivory sofa as the centerpiece of the room. Its timeless elegance and versatility make it the perfect foundation for your seating arrangement, effortlessly tying together the neutral tones. Pair it with complementary throws or layered textures to create a space that feels both inviting and refined.
  

Ivory Bedroom Ideas

Ivory linens, curtains, rugs and decor turn a regular bedroom into a calm, refreshing retreat. If you want to incorporate the color in a small space, let the focus be on the curtains; ivory linens in a thin, see-through material will cast a warm neutral color and natural glow. Tip: If you're not sure which shade of white paint to choose, take a look at the decor you have in the room, and bring one or two pieces (a decorative dish, a picture frame) with you to the paint store, so that you can compare the decor up close for a perfect match.

Ivory Compared to White, Beige and Cream

Ivory vs. White

Think of ivory as more of a naturally-occuring white, and "white white" as more of a man-made white. The former is found in white seashells, pearls, sand and stones. The latter is usually only seen in manufactured items that are stained with bleach or a bright dye to obtain the hue.

Ivory vs. Beige

Ivory is a soft shade of white and beige is a soft shade of brown or tan. Together, the two make a coastal-inspired color palette, since both compose the majority of the makeup of beaches (and other nature destinations). If you want more warmth, go heavy on different shades of beige!

Ivory vs. Cream Colors

Compared to cream, ivory is more white. Cream can be thought of as closer to yellow on the spectrum, warmer and less bright. Usually, these two colors don't match.