'For a small space, nothing beats airy blues and crisp whites,' says Nivara Xaykao, Benjamin Moore's color marketing & development expert. 'Blues recede, which can give the illusion of opening up a room, a light shade of blue, like Smoke 2122-40, is ideal for this type of space. '
1. Try horizontal stripes. Simple strips painted horizontally along the wall is a great paint technique to help make a room feel larger. Horizontal stripes in a narrow living room draw the eye outwards and make it appear as though the walls are farther apart than they actually are.
Light neutral shades of gray, taupe, beige, or greige can stand in for white while adding a hint of color or warmth. Pale yellows, blues, greens, and even pinks can effectively function as neutrals in a small space that adds a whisper of color for those who find white walls too boring or sterile.
Pick a light reflecting metallics
Light walls are more reflective and will bounce natural light across the room, making space appear larger and more open. For maximum effect, opt for off-white tones like magnolia or soft pinks.
Here's the first surprise. Painting a small room dark can make it look bigger. 'Contrary to traditional thinking, dark paint allows the room to appear larger and taller than it may be. Dark colors add depth, visually enlarge the space, and make a great statement,' says Lichelle Silvestry.
Paint and Color
When you look at how to make a small room look bigger with paint, keep in mind that medium shades will make your space appear smaller than it is. Using dark and bright white colors that open up a room, in contrast, creates the illusion of a much larger area. Small rooms are not always square.
Add reflective surfaces
Yes, you know that mirrors make a space appear larger. (“It's like doubling a room,” Curtis says.) But other reflective surfaces — high-gloss painted ceilings, lacquered furniture, shiny tile on a kitchen backsplash — have a similar effect, casting light and creating the illusion of volume.
Use dark colors strategically
'Dark colors, such as charcoal gray, navy blue, forest green or black, can make your space look bigger if used wisely,' says Artem Kropovinsky. 'They can create contrast and depth that make your walls recede and your ceiling appears higher.
According to leading design experts, the best wall colors for a bedroom are warm pastels, soft white paint shades, and neutral-leaning blues and greens.
To help small spaces along, paint your longest walls dark paint colors. Deep colors like pewters, bronze, and charcoal emphasize the length of the longer walls if you… A wall with a window is an excellent choice for a lighter accent wall. It tricks people into thinking the window and wall recede together.
Blues and greens bring to mind open skies, blue waters and lush landscapes, while neutrals lend an earthy, natural feel. Mix and match any of these shades for a no-fail complementary color combo with an exceptionally calming effect.
A paint brush with a short handle is great for tight spots. A 2″ angled brush is a good all-around choice, and actually, you won't miss the handle. If you're only going to own one paint brush, make it this one. Standard rollers are great for covering large expanses of walls quickly with a nice, smooth finish.
'You can pair shades of grey together in a room but try to pair cool grey shades with other cool tones such as greens, teals, and blues and warmer greys with warm shades such as pinks, burnt orange, or mustard,' says Grace.
Gray also can create a bit of depth and serenity, which is why it is such a wonderful color to work with in smaller interiors. Gray colored walls and furniture work especially well in bedrooms, where you want a bit of darkness to induce sleep while still being light enough to make the room appear larger.
Light, sandy beige tones brighten and open up a room, while bringing in an extra touch of warmth. They pair beautifully with sunshine, so they are ideal for rooms with lots of natural light. If you're into cooler colors, light taupe or greige tones are a great neutral for opening a space up.
Well, red promotes energy, and interaction and can even raise our blood pressure, making sleep difficult; yellow is great for pops of color but not on every wall of a bedroom as it can over-stimulate the nervous system; and grey, although initially calming, will eventually sap energy. '
Vibrant yellows are especially effective at reflecting artificial light, making them the ideal options for windowless rooms. Swap darker flaxen shades for buttery, brighter mixtures like Hot as Mustard, and add extra warmth with white accents and light wood details.
“Paint ceilings white and use lighter colors to make a room appear larger,” suggests Dan Schaeffer, owner of Five Star Painting in Austin, TX. “Think light grays, blues, and other neutral colors. You can also use an eggshell or satin finish to help reflect light.”