White accessories, furniture and accents can transform any living space and create a chic, modern, and sophisticated look. However, working with white can be very tricky. Too much white in a room can make the space look stark and sterile, but too little can set other colors in the room off balance and stand out too much against other color palettes. How do you introduce just the right amount of white into your apartment or house? Here are some tips for accessorizing and decorating with white décor and furnishings:

1. Use white as a focal point of the room. Whether it's a rug, a coffee table runner, or a sculpture that sits in the center of your room, choose one signature piece and three to four accent pieces to complement it so they can be scattered around the room.

2. Balance with silver, black and grey. An all-white room is much too stark and unfriendly for most living spaces, so you need to balance it out with other colors. Silver, black, grey and pewter are always great complements for white, so you can accessorize and decorate with these complementary hues to create a more attractive appearance.

3. Go for the black and white combo. Always trendy and stylish, decorating with an even amount of black and white can help you create a well-coordinated and attractive living space. Look for checkered tablecloths and cushion covers, printed throws and rugs, and furnishings that feature white or black trim. This color combo is a modern, hip and urban look that can really freshen up your living space.

4. Try off-white color palettes. Beige, ecru and white with a pinkish hue are attractive alternatives to classic white. These are actually great color options for painting entire walls and window trim with, so consider switching to a less dramatic version of white if you want a warmer look.

5. Use white as a brightener. In small doses, white can be a great way to freshen up an area of the room and draw attention to a space where there are no windows or natural light filtering in. Large white accent pillows, a white rug, or even some white vases will draw the eyes towards them and can help to balance out a dark room.