The first step in making a small space look and feel larger is to choose paint colors that feel open and inviting. Small spaces often present a multitude of design challenges and require creative solutions that make the most out of every square foot. The color you choose can have a huge impact on how big or small your space feels. By playing with color and contrast, even tiny spaces can feel more spacious.
Using an Accent Wall
Visually speaking, lighter paint colors like off-whites, light neutrals, pales, and pastels give the illusion of larger, brighter rooms. Dark colors recede while light colors advance. What this means for a small space is that you’re not limited to white. Dark accent colors such as navy can make a space look larger when you limit their use to one wall. Painting an accent wall in a dark shade visually pushes it backward, giving the room a greater sense of depth and space.
Paint Sheens
It is important to consider the right paint finishes when choosing colors to make a small room look bigger. The right sheen can add light and depth to your room. Smoother textures like eggshell or satin paint finishes will create more reflection and surface light to bounce around. Using a semi- or high-gloss paint can help enhance your space by giving it a more dramatic effect. Higher sheens are more reflective, giving the illusion of more light.
Ceiling Color
Also known as the 5th wall. The ceiling is a great way to enhance a room. With a low ceiling, the trick is to draw the eye up to create a sense of openness with an engaging, light color, It creates the illusion that the ceiling is higher.
Lighten Nooks and Windows
If you have windows tucked in the corner, the right paint color can help brighten and heighten spaces. Using high gloss white will brighten the room and bounce the light around making even a small space like the attic larger.
So when considering a small room the good news is that you have more options than the typical whites and neutrals. Consider subtle changes with a big impact, or you can create that illusion with a bold focal point. See some examples below.
Leave a Reply