In general, darker colors will make a room feel smaller and warmer — if you have a big living room, bedroom, or basement that feels too empty and cavernous, a darker carpet or patterned flooring will help draw the eye inward and make the space feel less sprawling.
Using lighter tones of your favorite color throughout the space helps to visually expand the space. Also, lighter colors reflect more sunlight (or artificial light) than darker colors do, so the increased light in the space contributes to a more open feeling.
Darker shades of carpet are the best to have if you have kids at home as they tend to make a mess and cleaning it regularly can be a back-breaking job. Dark-colored carpets tend to last longer because of the thickness of the material when compared to light-colored carpets or rugs.
Use a light colored rug to make the room look brighter and more spacious. This is a common technique with paint and works with rugs as well. Pastels, neutrals and off-white are best. Use rugs that have a solid color rather than a pattern, because patterns can clutter a small room.
Remember, you don't want to choose a carpet that is exceptionally dark because it will show signs of foot traffic and lighten the color of the carpet. Over time, dark-colored carpets can show where dirt gets absorbed if not regularly cleaned.
A darker shade will make these seams less visible than a lighter color. Coziness: Dark carpets have a way of making a room feel smaller and cozier. This is an attractive feature for a living room, family room, den or bedroom. Dark brown or earth tones tend to heighten this effect more than other darker hues.
Black not only brings a cozy effect, but also infuses a space with ambiance. Using a black carpet in a living room or den can give the space a brand-new dramatic feel while providing comfort as you melt into your couch for a movie marathon.
You may be surprised to learn that dark wood flooring can help to make your room look bigger too. Darker flooring offers an inviting feel and opens up a space. Whether you choose rich colours or softer dark colours, they both have their advantages when it comes to expanding the appearance of a room.
So, what colors make a room look bigger? For an optimum effect, go with soft tones like off-white, blues, and greens, and always remember that brighter rooms feel bigger and more inviting. And here's another hack: Try painting your wall trim and moldings in a lighter color than your walls.
Carpet Colors That Make Small Rooms Appear Larger
Light colors don't soak in the light from the room; rather, they reflect it, resulting in the appearance of a larger space. Selecting carpeting that matches the paint or wall covering also helps to make the room feel bigger.
Using bleach on a dark carpet will cause discoloration that will stick out. However, dark-colored carpets are better at concealing stains. Dark brown carpet, in particular, is the best color to have if you need to conceal any number of stains, from red wine to dirt.
Dark brown is one of the best carpet colors for hiding dirt. The darker the shade, the better the dirt will blend into the carpet. Powder and dust won't show up against the dark brown color. While a lighter brown can also be an attractive option, it won't hide as much dirt.
Adding a striped carpet to rooms within your home will help to lengthen or add width to the area, making your rooms appear larger than they actually are. Pair a striped carpet with light, neutral walls for the ultimate space maximising visual effect.
Cool Gray. A great alternative to a white paint color is a light cool gray, which can feel fresh and bright without the starkness of pure white. Cool colors feel fresher and brighter than warm ones, so it helps visually create the appearance of more space.
Big floral patterns make a room appear larger. Install wallpaper with horizontal stripes to make a room seem wider, or commit to vertical stripes to stretch the room visually and raise the ceiling. A busy pattern featuring chevrons, simple geometric designs, or a texture that mimics marble can make a room seem bigger.
Dark-colored floors can make rooms seem darker and smaller. If a room doesn't receive a lot of natural light, a dark floor can make it appear gloomy and uninviting. When space is limited, as it often is in condos and apartments, dark floors can give the illusion of even less space.
While dark colors can make a space look smaller, it's important to remember that the floors are just 1 element of the room, and the color of the walls has a much bigger impact on space perception.
Which do you prefer – light or dark hardwood? Both dark and light floors work very well, and only you can choose which is best for you and your home. Dark floors tend to be more stylish and hide imperfections while light floors tend to show dirt less and last longer.
When it comes to carpet, neutral colors like beige, tan, and gray are by far the most popular.
Many home experts agree that the floor color should be darker than the walls. The rule generally applies because lighter walls and a dark floor make the room seem larger. Most homeowners prefer a spacious looking interior. However, the rule can change with low ceilings.
Strongly related to power, authority and independence. Black stimulates perspective and depth, and provides protection from external emotional stress by absorbing negative energies. An elegant black rug will add refinement and formality to your home.
As neutral tones in carpets go, beige very often stands as the top choice. To get the most out of it consider that the underlying colour is somewhat warm. Cool tones in your wall and furniture are best to offset this, ensuring the room becomes a true neutral.