These Are the Best Paint Colors for Small Living Rooms, According to Designers
- Dark Blue. "Sometimes small spaces are the best place to make a statement," McGee says. ...
- Off-White. Roberts suggests trying an off-white paint color like this one in your small living room to make the space appear larger.
- Taupe. "I love using earthy ochre such as taupe to create a calm atmosphere in a room," says Ashby. ...
- Crisp White. "We use Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore all the time," McGee says. ...
- Silver. Humphrey recommends using a lighter gray tone in your living room. ...
- Light Gray With a White Trim. "We love using light grays with a white trim because it adds a little bit of contrast while still keeping a light and fresh ...
- Super White. "I recommend sticking with light colors for the walls and even floors," Roberts says. ...
- Muted Gray. According to Humphrey, a gray like this one is incredibly versatile, making it ideal for a small space.
- Cool White. "Paint color sets the tone of the space," says McGee. "A fresh white will make most spaces feel clean and updated instantly."
What color should I paint my bedroom for a small space?
Nothing soothes in a bedroom like a dreamy sky blue. This soft shade of blue helps your space feel a bit more expansive. White is a small space go-to, since it opens everything up and keeps it feeling bright, but pure white might feel too stark for your style.
Is white paint in a small room a good idea?
White paint in a small room can actually make it look boxy and bland. Though white is supposed to make your room look light and bright, it can actually do the opposite when it shows every shadow or dark corner. White can still be a stunning choice a small space, but it works best as an accent or trim color.
What is the worst paint color for a small room?
The Worst Paint Colors for Small Spaces 1 White. White may seem like the perfect paint color for a small room because it can brighten up dark corners and reflect light all around. 2 Muted Neutrals. Neutral paint colors are wonderful for small spaces. ... 3 A Color You Don't Love. ... 4 Paint With Questionable Undertones. ... 5 Red. ...
What are the best colors for small spaces?
A soft blonde or golden color will add warmth to any small space. Pair it with natural decor and a stunning patterned rug for the ultimate comfy area. Wild, loud colors, like purple, might actually be better in small spaces. Could you imagine how in-your-face this shade would be all over a giant living room?
What Colours make a small room look bigger?
10 Color Options That Will Make Small Rooms Look BiggerDark Blue. Dark blue has the transformative power to make a statement. ... Earthly Ochre. Earthly Ochre is a deep, warm color that creates a calm environment. ... Off-White. ... Clean White. ... Dark Grey. ... Pale Blues. ... Sea Green. ... Light Green.More items...•
Which Colour is best for small room?
Earth tones and neutrals are a frequent choice for small bedrooms. If you prefer softer shades, grey, green or yellow can lighten a small room. Neutral shades can make the wall visually recede into the background, making the room appear larger and bringing more attention to the accessories in the room.
Should you paint small rooms light or dark?
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…
What colors make a room feel bigger?
9 Colors That Make a Room Look BiggerPale blue. Pale blue is a gentle shade that offers a soothing, calming touch to any room. ... Dark blue. If you'd rather go dark with your blue, consider dark blue shades like navy and indigo. ... Soft black. ... Cool gray. ... Light green. ... Taupe. ... Lavender. ... Blush pink.More items...•
What makes small rooms look bigger?
Coordinate Wall and Furniture Colors Contrasting colors tend to break up a space, making it appear even smaller than it is. Pieces of furniture that match the wall color are less jarring and tend to blend with the space, giving the illusion of a bigger room.
How do you make a small room look bigger with paint?
0:002:57Colour schemes: How to make a small room feel bigger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne of the very best solutions to making a small space feel bigger is to paint it entirely whiteMoreOne of the very best solutions to making a small space feel bigger is to paint it entirely white from floor to ceiling.
How do you make a small living room look spacious?
Paint the fifth wall the same color. (Image credit: Lick ) ... Make use of mirrors. (Image credit: Lick ) ... Go neutral. ... Use lightweight blinds or curtains. ... Paint the floor the same color. ... Frame your walls. ... Go for darker to make a small living room feel bigger. ... Choose the style, shade and shape of your sofa wisely.More items...•
When painting a room 2 colors which wall should be darker?
Paint walls opposite windows a cool, dark color to absorb light in too-bright rooms. If you want a brighter room, paint a dark color on the window wall with lighter colors opposite to reflect light back into the room.
What colors make a room brighter?
In the end, you cannot go wrong when using white, blush pink, taupe, pale blue, light green, or bright orange in trying to make your space appear brighter and bigger! No matter if you are looking to redecorate your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, or even living room, these colors are the perfect option for you.
What color make a room more relaxing?
One study by Travelodge found that households that have blue bedrooms received the best night's sleep compared to any other color. Having blue in your room can make you feel safe, relaxed, and calm. As a result, it's one of the best bedroom colors for sleep.
Are white walls going out of style?
IS WHITE STILL A TRENDY PAINT COLOUR FOR WALLS? Yes, based on my Online Paint Colour Consulting clients, white is still going strong. This doesn't mean that every home can pull it off, but white walls are definitely popular and I don't see that changing in the coming year.
How do you make a narrow room look wider?
Use Mirrors The more mirrors in your room, the wider and larger it will appear. Consider creating a wall of mirrors or installing mirrors on opposite sides of the room from each other to create an infinity effect.
How can I make my room look bigger?
Expert Advice: 11 Tips for Making a Room Look BiggerScale it down. ... Keep a low profile. ... Show a little leg with lithe furniture. ... Mirror, mirror on the wall… ... Ditch the drapes (and rugs). ... White it out. ... Emphasize the vertical. ... Emphasize the horizontal.More items...•
What colors make a room brighter?
In the end, you cannot go wrong when using white, blush pink, taupe, pale blue, light green, or bright orange in trying to make your space appear brighter and bigger! No matter if you are looking to redecorate your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, or even living room, these colors are the perfect option for you.
Does dark paint make a room look smaller?
It's a misconception that dark walls shrink a room. Dark wall colors do not make a room look small just like a light color will not cause the room to look any larger. Dark wall colors tend to recede.
What wall paint darker in a small room?
Paint the right surfaces dark Firstly, the two long black walls emphasize the length of the apartment, making the space feel a little larger than it is. And leaving the window wall a light color fools the eye into experiencing the whole wall as a light source.
What color paint makes a room feel bigger?
Other designers will encourage you to try a darker or bolder color like one of these best blue paint colors or best green paint colors. Their reasoning: Darker colors can help create a perception of depth, which can also make a room feel larger than it really is.
What color is best for a beach house guest room?
A delicate shade of gray creates a breezy and airy feeling, even in a smaller space like this beach house guest room. For a similar look, try Weathered Gray by Varathane wood stain.
What is the color of royalty?
Did you know purple is the color of royalty? It is. Make your small bedroom feel downright palatial with lilac paints like French Lilac by Benjamin Moore, Novel Lilac by Sherwin-Williams, or Blissful by Behr. After all, you deserve to live (and sleep!) like a queen.
Who painted the kitchen in the 100 year old house?
Ahhh finally, an all-white kitchen that we can actually live in! In this 100-year-old home designed by Heather Chadduck Hillegas, the ceiling and walls are painted with Swiss Coffee by Behr and the windows are trimmed with Shaded White by Farrow & Ball.
Who designed Go Green in a Small Living Room?
Go Green in a Small Living Room. Back in the day, John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon of the interior design firm Madcap Cottage lived in every inch of their 858-square-foot circa 1840s schoolhouse.
Who painted the bunk room in Caitlin Wilson's ranch?
When life gives you a less than massive bunkroom, you go up! Designer Caitlin Wilson's family ranch boasts an adorable boys's bedroom featuring triple bunks painted Newburg Green by Benjamin Moore.
Who painted the lilac door?
We all need a little more lilac in our lives! You'll have the prettiest front porch on the block with a front door painted in Novel Lilac by Sherwin-Williams.
What color should I use for a small room?
Light colors and neutrals are always a classic option for small spaces, but that doesn’t mean you have to forgo bold colors when you want to make a room seem bigger. Just take a cue from designer Anne Miller of Miller House Interiors in Charlotte, NC, and pick softer tones for your accessories and furnishings. “I love a saturated paint color and encourage clients not to be scared of using one,” she says. “The key is to remember to balance out that color with softer neutrals so that the room is not overwhelming.”
What colors are good for floor to ceiling?
Lee Crowder suggests natural hues for this floor-to-ceiling trend. “Clean colors like celadon or a sea glass always make a room feel light and bright,” she says. “PPG Paints Geyser and Colonial Aqua are great selections for that feeling.”
How to match walls and trim?
Designer Charlotte Lucas of Charlotte Lucas Interior Design in Charlotte, NC, paints the walls and trim to match in tight spaces and in rooms without much natural light: “The more transitions you have in a room, the more the eye stops at those points — for example, at the window, door, or casing trim. This trick also helps with low ceilings. If you have 6 inches of white crown molding at your ceiling and your walls are gray, your eyes stop at the gray, often 6 inches short of the ceiling. By painting the walls and trim the same paint color, your ceilings appear to be taller, since there are no breaks in the trim!”
What is the number one factor to consider when choosing a paint color?
The number one factor to consider when choosing a paint color? According to Sharper, it’s how much natural light enters the room. “The general rule is, the lighter the color, the bigger and brighter the room will appear,” he says. “And the less natural light you have entering the room, the lighter the paint color you should lean toward.” So if you’re really hoping to boost the look of a space’s square footage, opt for brighter shades with a light reflectance value above 50, which bounce back more light than they absorb.
What is the color of the Farrow and Ball skylight?
Farrow & Ball Skylight. “Skylight is also an amazing color; a clean, light gray-blue, ” adds Juneja. “On a whole, cool colors are fresher and brighter than warm. Warm colors evoke intimacy and softness.
What color is swirling smoke?
Swirling Smoke is a go-to for Lee Crowder, a colorist with Darling Homes in Dallas, TX. “I have to stop myself from using this one too much because it is just a great all-around color. It is light with a tint of gray and is very calming.”. 2. Benjamin Moore Cloud White.
How far off the floor should a chandelier be?
There are some hard and fast rules when it comes to interior design. Dining room chandeliers should hang 60 to 66 inches off the floor. Never match the color of your walls to a color in one of your fabrics. Hang curtains all the way to the ceiling to make the ceilings appear higher.
What color is good for a room?
Speaking of blue, lighter tones, like this sky blue, work, too. Lighter hues reflect light, brightening up dark corners and making the room feel open and welcoming.
How to make a room look taller?
It’ll draw the eye up, making the room seem taller. Paint your furniture the same color as the walls. This design trick blends wall and furniture together, allowing your eye to skim the space, which makes even the tiniest room look bigger. Bedrooms don’t need a lot of square footage to be comfortable and colorful.
What color accent wall is used in a candy apple bedroom?
This sophisticated bedroom fits a lot into a small space. What makes it work is the recessed accent wall. In a darker candy apple red, the accent wall draws the eye in, making the rest of the space expand.
Do you need a lot of square footage for a bedroom?
Bedrooms don’t need a lot of square footage to be comfortable and colorful. And as these small bedroom colors prove, the right coat of paint can bring out the beauty in any room. Order Free Paint Swatches For Your Bedroom.
Is Celestial Blue a good sleep color?
Plus, studies show that we sleep better, longer in blue spaces. Choosing a mid-tone blue, like Celestial Blue brings a spa-like dose of calm to your day, making your evening wind-down easier and leaving you refreshed come morning.
Can you paint a small bedroom black?
While painting a small bedroom black could make it feel even smaller when you balance it with light white fabrics and accessories, the small room could feel larger. Now the black paint recedes, making the space feel bigger. Your beautiful bedding and accessories get to show off, too.
What is the best color for a small living room?
The Spruce. Peach is a trendy color for any space, and Benjamin Moore's Nautilus Shell is a lovely shade that creates a warm, rich glow in your small living room. It's a universally flattering color that will enhance skin tones and make your space appear wider. 11 of 11.
What is the best beige color for a small room?
Best Beige: Magnolia Southern Grown. The Spruce. Beige has forever been a go-to neutral for rooms of all shapes and sizes, but Magnolia's Southern Grown is a great choice for your small space because it has a little more depth than traditional beiges, and will lend more visual interest to your space.
What is the best paint for a modern living room?
A bold gray paint like The Spruce Best Home's Stone Quarry is a great choice for a chic living room with an unmistakably modern vibe. This paint is a charcoal gray with a blue undertone, and is perfect for quaint living spaces with lighter accents and streamlined furniture. Minimalist decor won't look sparse with this bold wall color.
Why is Sherwin Williams dark night?
Because a darker color reflects less light, it gives a room more depth and almost has the effect of pushing the walls out. So, a color like Sherwin-Williams Dark Night is perfect for your cozy living space—it's moody, bold, and rich, embodying everything we love in a navy blue.
What color is cut ruby?
When you have a small space, you may as well go bold. Valspar's Cut Ruby is a vibrant dark red with a slight yellow undertone that makes a big statement. Pair it with warm shades or crisp whites for the ultimate wow factor.
What color is Farrow and Ball's Pigeon?
Farrow & Ball's Pigeon is the ideal color for a vintage, retro feel. It's a throwback-inspired bluish-gray that feels green in certain spaces. It plays well with moody colors, like hunter green or cool purples, or adds a touch of color to rooms with predominantly neutral tones.
What is the best light blue color?
Best Light Blue: Benjamin Moore Dusky Blue. The Spruce. Benjamin Moore's Dusky Blue is a cool pastel color that adds a lovely hue to your small living room without overpowering the rest of it. It's a great choice for a beachy feel or a room that is mostly neutral, but could use a hint of color to make it feel complete.
What is the number one color rule for a small space?
The number one color rule for a small space? There are no rules — really. If you want your apartment to look like your favorite Pucci scarf, do your thing. The goal should always be to make your rented space personal and appeal to you. Having said that, the experts who deal with color and interior design all the time do know a thing or two.
Who is the painter who shares his best ideas about paint colors?
David Bromstad shares some of his best ideas about paint colors.
Can you paint one wall darker than the other?
While some designers frown on the idea of painting one wall a different or deeper color than the others, it can work wonders in a small space, says designer and actress Libby Langdon, a contributor to HGTV's Small Space, Big Style. "Don't be afraid of bold colors," she says. "Sometimes a darker color on one wall can make it recede, ...
Is it okay to color your apartment?
When it comes to coloring your apartment, it's definitely okay to go outside the lines.
Can different colors of the same color unite?
Just as different wall colors can divide your apartment into different work areas, different shades of the same color can unite all the rooms , as can a pattern that's repeated. "In a small space, in particular, these little touches — the pillow that matches the lampshade fabric, the style of the mirror that echoes a side table — can all add up to a cohesive space," McCauley says.
What color paint is good for small spaces?
Neutral paint colors are wonderful for small spaces. While you're not limited to using neutrals, you'll find that the right neutral color can make a small room look more spacious because of its simplicity.
Why is it hard to hide paint colors in a small room?
The wrong paint color is harder to hide in a small space because every wall is close, no matter where you stand or sit. Undertones are what separate the right paint colors from the wrong ones.
What color paint is the most common undertone?
You'll have to pay close attention to any paint color you're considering because a neutral with an unexpected pink or green undertone will be painfully obvious in your small space. Neutral colors are the most frequent undertone offenders.
What to do before choosing paint color?
Before you settle on your new paint color, be sure that you're choosing a color you can live with. If you found a new funky, bright color, don't choose it just because it is trendy. Find a paint color in a similar shade but in a color that you can be comfortable living with for a while.
Can you change accent walls color?
Accent walls painted furniture, and home accessories are a stylish way to use specialty colors but can be easily changed if you're ready for a new look in your small space.
Is red a good color for a small room?
Red is a gorgeous color and has been the go-to paint color choice for dining rooms for years. The truth is that most red paint colors are totally wrong for decorating a small space. The energy and warmth of red can heat up a small room and leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable. Red is better left as a color accent for a small space.
Why paint adjoining rooms the same color?
Small homes can also look larger if you paint adjoining rooms the same color. Even different shades of the same color can maximize your square footage. It can also help to capture interest, and can gently guide the eye through the rooms of your home creating continuity throughout your entire house.
Why paint light colors on ceilings?
Painting light colors on ceilings can create the illusion that a room is taller than it really is.
Why do we paint?
Paint can help a room look and feel bigger. There are many color options in both light and dark to suit the homeowner’s taste. Most projects are surprisingly easy and affordable. Decorating small spaces can be challenging. Luckily, there are many tricks professional painters use to transform the look and feel of your rooms to take them ...
Why do accent walls have different colors?
This works well for two reasons. A different colored accent wall gives an optical illusion. It also helps to make the room seem like there is extra space inside. Accent walls direct the eye to a focal point. This helps when decorating and can also help when deciding the best way to place existing furniture.
How to make a room look bigger?
Instead of relying on flat colors alone to make a room look bigger, think about strategically placing patterns. Vertical stripes can make your room look taller, add to the openness of the space, and create drama.
Can you paint walls white?
It’s not uncommon to paint your walls white in smaller areas. White can open up a room and make it seem much bigger. Looking for a slightly warmer white? Try Navajo White (Benjamin Moore), White Dove (Benjamin Moore), Chantilly Lace (Sherwin-Williams), Dover White (Sherwin-Williams) or Alabaster (Sherwin-Williams). Want something a little less yellow? Simply White (Benjamin Moore) is a nearly perfect neutral white with a balance of cool and warm. It is a designer favorite in kitchens.
Can a painter make a small space look bigger?
Low square footage areas may be physically tight, but this doesn’t mean you have to feel claustrophobic. There are many ways professional painters can help make your small space look bigger. If you want to give your home a bit more space without having to knock down any walls you can accomplish that with the right paint ...
Choose one paint color throughout the room
There are a lot of stylish painting ideas out there that employ the use of multiple colors. Whether it’s painting a single accent wall in a bold color or painting trim a contrasting hue, many of these painting design ideas are really meant for larger rooms. An accent wall, for example, creates a pleasant focal point in a wide open space.
Match with furniture and curtains
Taking the mono-color philosophy one step further, it’s a good idea to match your wall color to other items in the room. If you opt for curtains, for example, make them the same color as the wall so that the eye’s visual scan is uninterrupted upon entering the room.
Choose the right sheen
There are a lot of options when it comes to paint sheen, ranging from high-gloss to matte finishes. Did you know that the higher the gloss is in the paint, the more it reflects light? Since light always makes a room look larger, you want to reflect as much as possible in your tiny room.
Light colors
Light colors reflect light and create the appearance of space, so they are naturally better for cramped rooms that get some natural light. You’ve probably heard that a stark white color is the best option for opening up a small space and making it look bigger.
Dark colors
On the other side of the coin, light colors won’t do justice to a small room that gets no natural light. In these spaces, it’s actually more effective to choose a dark color, since it will give the room more depth and create a cozy, intimate feel, coupled with a bit of grandeur. Some great dark-colored options are:
