Although it’s impossible to increase the size of your room without having to literally tear it down but it’s possible to make it feel bigger by using the right paint. More often than not, we have wished for certain parts of our homes to be larger because it’s often challenging to design a small space, be it the bedroom, sitting room or even the kitchen. Designing it to our taste when it’s small can be difficult.
However, here’s the secret that changes this whole thing, using the right paint, oh yes, you heard me right, the right paint can actually make a small room feel bigger when it’s painted with the right color. According to interior designers, these are seven tested and trusted paint colors that make any room look bigger.
1. White
This paint color always makes a room look larger. According to Dee Dee Taylor Eustace “Use white if you want to make a room feel larger, it opens up a space and makes it feel expensive”. She said “there’s a way to make white look chic and luxurious rather than boring and sterile”. The founder of Taylor Hannah Architect Inc said commit to it and paint it all, don’t leave any old white behind else it will look dingy.
She went further to say that if you want to make your space look like it was designed by a pro, use different finishes of the same white paint to add contrast without breaking the harmony. She says “Go super flat for the ceiling, matte on the walls and semi-gloss on the trim”. It adds a slight dimension while keeping the room cohesive and spacious, she adds.
2. Off-White
Another fantastic color that can give the illusion of larger space is Off-White or Cream. Vicki Zagrodni, a kitchen and bath designer said, a warm off-white or cream is a fantastic choice for small kitchens or hallways, and that it makes a space bright by reflecting the maximum light.
According to Zagrodni, slightly lighter tones will create more space instead of giving it a box-like illusion and the common mistake to avoid is using high-contrast shades on the ceiling or moldings.
3. Light Blue
Light blue is an excellent choice for small spaces because it can make it feel bright and airy. So regardless of where you want to paint be it a child’s room or a home office it is an excellent choice.
According to Zagrodni, the thing with light blue is that it mimics the openness of the sky and also creates a sense of calm. Use it in rooms with natural light to give more depth to the space.
4. Pale Gray
Pale gray is another color that can work elegantly in small modern interiors, says Zagrodni. It reflects light so well, it has a cool undertone and has the ability to pair with both warm and cool accents. This shade is fantastic for living rooms and the kitchen, she says.
5. Blue-Gray
To make your space feel larger, interior designer and co-founder of Daniel House Club, Peter Spalding says he loves a soft, airy blue-gray hue. He adds, “it feels like the sky implying that perhaps your space is infinite”.
6. Jewel Tones
The owner of Design on a Dime Interiors, Melody Stevens said, if you are doing a feature wall, Jewel Tones can actually make a wall look larger
Stevens says “The perfect way to create the illusion of depth is by playing with bold, deep accent colors”. For that feature wall, think dark navy or jewel tones.
To give your eyes somewhere to land, and create a visual break, you need to add that punch of boldness. It has a dramatic effect. The room feels larger with no walls closing in on you. Stevens adds, you’re basically creating this heavenly canvas that’s open, light and filled with possibility.
7. Sage Green
If you’re looking for a stylish color, a soft sage green could be the perfect shade for you, says Zagrodni. “Sage green gives a hint of nature and it has a grounding quality, it adds personality with balance and never overwhelms the space”.
This color can be a great choice for rooms where you want to make a striking impression or spaces where you just want to flip things up a bit from your design scheme.