How to make a small room feel bigger with paint (and other techniques)
If you have a room that is feeling small and cramped, believe it or not, choosing the right paint can make a significant difference. With strategic color selection and certain painting and accent techniques, you can create an illusion of a more spacious environment. At Ladder Co Painting, we have learned many tricks over the years to help maximize your space. Here are our top eight tips:
1. Choose light and neutral colors
Light colors tend to reflect more natural and artificial light, making the room feel more airy and open. While dark and vibrant colors have become a trend in the past few years, it’s best to save those for a larger room. We would recommend shades of while, light grey, beige or greige to help visually expand the walls. If you have your heart set on adding color, it would be best to stick with soft blues or greens which can make the room feel inviting without the feeling of crowding walls.
2. Pick a color scheme and stick with it
Sticking to different shades of the same color throughout a room will create a seamless look and reduce visual clutter. When the walls, trim, and ceiling are similar shades it allows the eyes to move freely throughout the room, not getting caught up on sharp contrasts.
3. Stick with white for the ceiling
A ceiling that is a lighter shade than the walls can draw eyes upward creating the illusion of taller ceilings, thus making the room feel larger. Consider a bright white to enhance this effect and save the colored ceilings for a bedroom or bathroom.
4. Consider an accent wall
A strategically placed accent wall can add depth to a small room. Here we would recommend a slightly darker shade than the other walls can create just enough contrast without making the space feel boxed in. A well placed accent wall behind furniture or the focal point of the room can draw attention away from the size of the space.
5. Try out vertical or horizontal stripes
Stripes can alter the perception of a room’s proportions. Vertical stripes will make the ceiling look taller while horizontal stripes can give the illusion of a wider space. If you opt to add stripes it is important to remember tip #2 and stick with a color scheme. The stripes should be soft complimentary colors, not sharp contrasting ones.
6. Chose your sheens wisely
Glossy and satin finishes reflect more light than matte finishes, helping to brighten up the space. Consider using these finishes on trim, doors, or even ceilings to bounce light around and make the room appear more open. While we often advise against a satin finish on walls due to its inability to hide imperfections, if the walls are in good condition you can consider a satin finish for a small room.
7. Extend wall colors to the trim
Painting trim and walls the same color eliminates visual boundaries, making the room feel seamless and open. If you prefer some contrast, choose a trim color only slightly lighter than the wall color to maintain a smooth transition.
8. Blend wall and furniture colors
Matching large furniture pieces to the wall color helps them blend in rather than stand out, reducing visual clutter. Light-colored furniture, mirrors, and glass surfaces also help enhance the open feel of a room.
Conclusion
With the right paint colors and techniques, you can transform a small room into a space that feels bright, open, and inviting. If you're ready to refresh your home’s interior, Ladder Co Painting is here to help. Contact us today for a consultation and let’s bring your vision to life!
