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What colour paint makes a room look bigger


5 Ways to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

From favorite paint colors to specialized design advice, Benjamin Moore’s color and design experts have the answers to a common homeowner question: How do I make a small room look bigger and brighter?

Lighter paint colors like off-whites, light neutrals, pales, and pastels give the illusion of larger, brighter rooms. Here, we dive deeper into this topic with 5 specific painting techniques to make rooms look bigger, brighter, and more beautiful.

What Colors Make a Room Look Bigger?

“For a small space, nothing beats airy blues and crisp whites,” says Nivara Xaykao, Benjamin Moore color and design expert.

“Blues recede, which can give the illusion of opening up a space,” she explains. A light shade of blue, like Smoke 2122-40, shown here on the ceiling, is ideal for dimmer spaces.

How do you make a room without windows look brighter? “To brighten up a room that doesn't get a lot of natural light, consider a clean white paint with warm, sunny undertones like Swiss Coffee OC-45, Acadia White OC-38, and White Chocolate OC-127. ”

Use Accent Wall Colors to Make a Room Look Bigger

“For smaller spaces, I always recommend using a bright color to create a focal point, says Hannah Yeo, Benjamin Moore color and design expert. “I then use lighter hues for the rest of the space. I also recommend minimal décor when it comes to smaller spaces.”

Here, a red accent wall in Tomato Tango CSP-1145 instantly draws the eye’s attention and creates the illusion of depth.

“In this kitchen, the off-white wall color and cabinets make the narrow space look wider and brighter,” Hannah adds.

Lighten Up Alcoves, Nooks and Windows

If you have windows tucked into dormers or alcoves, the right paint color can help brighten and heighten spaces, from furnished attics to cozy corners.

“Consider a pale paint color for this type of space,” suggests Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore color and design expert. “Paler colors work well because natural light will reflect from the surface, providing the impression of light.”

Opting for paint colors like Silken Pine 2144-50, Summer Shower 2135-60, and Raleigh Peach CW-205, pictured here, helps a room take on a lighter, airier look.

Opt for Soft, Yellow-Painted Walls

“Yellow is highly reflective, so it is great for spaces that lack natural light,” explains Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore color and design expert and regular on Canada’s Cityline. Basements, laundry rooms, or any windowless space can benefit from yellow paint colors, but be sure to follow these two top tips:

“Yellow is a happy, warm, & luminous color that lifts the spirits,” adds Sharon, “It lets the sun shine in, wherever it’s used.”

Selecting Sheen for Smaller Spaces

The right sheen can add light and depth to your room. Using a semi- or high-gloss can help enhance your space. Higher sheens are more reflective, giving the illusion of more light.

Learn more about choosing a paint finish for your space.

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Low Ceiling? Look on the Bright Side!

“With a low ceiling, the trick is to draw the eye up to create a sense of openness with an engaging, light color,” says Arianna Cesa, Benjamin Moore color and design expert. “It creates the illusion that the ceiling is higher.” In this dining room, Crystalline AF-485, paired with Pure White OC-64, presents a winning example.

Adding wainscoting? Consider building it three-quarters up the wall, instead of the traditional halfway mark. This approach will add height and levity to any room.

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6 Paint Colors That Make a Room Look Bigger

Graphic by Cristina Cianci

Small rooms can be tricky to decorate. Beyond the simple issue of having to triple-measure furniture for size and crafting the best layout for your space, paint color can actually have a huge impact on how big or small your space feels—and this decision goes beyond pure color choices. Paint a room in a color that's on the darker side, and you may make a light-filled room feel smaller. But use a stark white paint color in a north-facing room, and you may end up with a classic "white box syndrome"—a sad white room with no personality.

There are a ton of variants that dictate which color you should choose for your small room, like the direction that the windows of your space are facing. Dark colors work best in north-facing rooms, while light ones will look better in bright south-facing spaces. Sunset hues can do wonders to a west-facing room, especially at dusk.

Ahead, find the top 6 paint colors that will make any room—of any size—look instantly larger.

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Courtesy of ASH NYC

Naturally, white is an obvious choice for making a room feel bigger. It's no secret that light colors make a room look larger, especially if the space is bathed in natural light. Eggshell or satin finishes will help reflect the light, creating the appearance of even more space.  

What's more, it works no matter your aesthetic or room type. Whether it's a modern kitchen, deco living room, or country-inspired bedroom, white is a great palette to begin your decor process.

Use this color in: South-facing rooms

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Courtesy of Tali Roth

Conversely to white, in a room with little to no natural light, white may not be the way to go. With no light bouncing off the walls, the color could have the opposite effect on your space. Lean into the lack of sun, though, and go fully into the dark realm.

Instead of white, a dark hue like charcoal or black will give the space an intimate feel while simultaneously giving it an appearance of grandeur—especially if the ceiling and trim are also painted in the same hue. 

Use this color in: North-facing rooms

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Becca Interiors

For those who aren't willing to go entirely white but still want a light neutral paint color for their room, a light taupe or greige can make a space feel large and elegant. It is still bright enough to allow the light to bounce off from one wall to another, but adds a touch of warmth that a true bright white doesn't have.

This rich tone has the potential to make a room look expensive, so use it in a space with little architectural detailing to give it stature. When using this color, it helps to keep other furnishings white in the room to help give the space a light and airy feel.

Use this color in: Rooms with no architectural details

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Courtesy of Fantastic Frank

A soft shade of blush pink can brighten up a small room and make it feel cheery and light—and it looks wonderful at sunset hour. This hue works best in a room with more natural light and is well complemented with light warm neutral tones like beige, sand, and ivory. Paint the ceiling in the same hue for an enveloping feel.

Don't be fooled by pink acting as an ultimate feminine tone, either (though it can!). The pale blush is also a great compliment to more masculine woods, modern metals, and luxe velvet or leather furniture as well.

Use this color in: West-facing rooms

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KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

In rooms with little bit of natural light, a deep navy hue can create an impression of depth and make a space feel dramatic and stately. If you want that romantic and cozy feel that a black room would give you, but not willing to take the plunge into the absence of color, navy is the way to go.

When painting your walls in a navy color, it also helps to keep large furniture like sofas in the same hue to blur the lines between the edges of the room and making it feel larger. This also makes it a great choice for rooms with cabinetry like kitchens and libraries. Pro tip? The monochromatic styling works equally well, no matter what color you're dealing with.

Use this color in: Kitchens and libraries with little natural light

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Courtesy of Brady Tolbert

A great alternative to a white paint color is a light cool gray, which can feel fresh and bright without the starkness of pure white. Cool colors feel fresher and brighter than warm ones, so it helps visually create the appearance of more space. Use this color in a room with moderate amounts of light to give the space a cozy but expansive feel.

A light grey brings the crisp and bright quality that a bright white does, allowing light to bounce off the walls, while it also keeps the room remaining cool, as opposed to the warmth that a taupe would infuse.

Use this color in: An east or west-facing room

Here's How to Make a Narrow Room Look Wider

How to visually enlarge a room

To expand the space of a small-sized room, you can combine two rooms into one, but for this you will need to collect a package of documents and obtain permission for redevelopment from the relevant local authorities, while it is far from always possible to obtain such consent simply due to the peculiarities of Russian legislation.

There is an easier option to increase the space. Let's figure out which wallpapers make the room visually larger, what furniture and lighting you need to choose for these purposes, how to visually expand the room with curtains or change the color of the walls. nine0003

Which colors make the space bigger

It is known that dark colors in the interior and decoration of the room visually compress the space and, in principle, act depressingly on the psyche and mood of the owners. And if at the same time the windows also do not face the sunny side, then the room will always look like a closet, no matter how expensive furniture you furnish it with.

What color to paint the walls, floor and ceiling to make the room seem bigger:

- The best choice would be cold pastel shades - vanilla, beige, milky. nine0013 - The boundaries will blur if one of the walls is painted with a bright color.
- The ceiling and walls should be the same color, or the ceiling can be made lighter by several shades.

Bright or contrasting colors, even as accents, are undesirable. They enliven the interior, but do not contribute to a visual increase in space, rather the opposite.

Furniture should also be purchased in light shades, but slightly different in tone from the color of the walls, floor and ceiling. It is better to purchase interior items with legs or without legs, but mount them to the walls. This effect of floating above the floor will also make the room more spacious. In addition, it is worth giving preference to furniture with mirror and glass surfaces or made of plastic. nine0003

What kind of wall decoration visually expands and enlarges the room

Small rooms do not have to be square, more often they are rectangular, and sometimes also elongated at the same time, like a tunnel. There is another way to visually correct an unsuccessful layout and at the same time increase the area.

What wall decoration visually increases the space:

- With a discreet ornament, because large patterns "eat up" the area. nine0013 - For rooms with a low ceiling, you can purchase wallpaper with vertical stripes, wallpaper with horizontal lines will help expand the boundaries between opposite walls.

In general, the main color of the wallpaper should also be light.

How to expand the space with curtains

Massive curtains with lambrequins or some decorative details and accessories make the space heavier. Not last in this regard is the pattern: large patterns, as in the case of wallpaper, are undesirable to choose. nine0003

Give preference to tulle, rayon, cambric, muslin or organza. The fabric should be light, transparent or the same tone as the walls, you can choose striped products, the classic version is the alternation of stripes of two different light shades.

Perfectly look curtains, collected in a large fold, flowing from the ceiling to the floor, without decor and tiebacks.

How to make a small room look bigger with lighting

To visually enlarge the room, it is necessary to correctly select the sources of lighting. nine0003

How to visually enlarge a small room:

- Transparent curtains or their absence will contribute to the penetration of natural light. On an artificial day, you should not purchase a massive chandelier located in the center of the ceiling, especially since it will not be able to illuminate all corners.
- Organize multi-level lighting using spotlights evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe ceiling or along its perimeter (then you can hang a flat lamp in the center). In the evenings, floor lamps and sconces will help to create a cozy atmosphere and additionally illuminate dark corners. nine0013

In addition, you can achieve the effect of increasing space with the help of mirrors, placing them opposite windows or doors and in the corners. True, you should not get too carried away with this technique. For example, if you install mirrored surfaces opposite cabinets or shelves, or make one of the walls completely mirrored, you can achieve the opposite effect or make the interior lifeless and unnatural.

If you cannot do without decorative items, then try not to use them in large quantities. Paintings or photographs on the walls must be hung above eye level. Non-standard decor elements - antique boxes, unusually shaped vases or original lamps - should be spaced far from each other. They will be bright accents in a bright room and at the same time will not clutter up the space. nine0003

How to visually enlarge a room with color

Contents

Small rooms have their own charm because they are very cozy. However, there is always a desire to visually enlarge it. There are many ways to make a small room look bigger and more spacious. The main role here will certainly be played by the colors of the walls, but contrary to appearances, white is not the only color that can be allowed. Painting a small room can also include creating an original, surprising interior - using well-chosen colors. nine0003

What color to use to make the room look bigger?

Although this is not a new idea, it should be noted here: light colors of the walls optically increase the interior, while dark colors reduce it. However, a skillful combination of light and dark colors can give a very good effect in the form of an optical enlargement of the room. Colors that enhance a room are undoubtedly white, light gray and blue.

It is also worth remembering that cold colors optically move walls away, while warm colors bring them closer together. Cool tones reflect light and warm tones absorb it. This also applies to paint finishes: matte absorbs light, while slightly shiny (satin) reflects it. nine0013 When planning the optical enlargement of a small room, white is the most commonly used color. And while white was once just white, there are now a range of shades to choose from. The most famous (although not so often used) is snow-white. For more effect, you can combine it with a shade of another color, such as pink, vanilla or pastel blue. Also pure white looks great with a brighter color on the wall next to it or on furniture. In turn, the so-called off-white is a good neighborhood with neutral colors or pastels. nine0003

How to enlarge a room with paints? About equipment and accessories

Playing, deceiving the eye and trying to visually enlarge the room, you should not only choose the right color for the walls, but also the furniture and accessories. Bright furniture, especially beige, light gray and white, will fit perfectly into a small room.
A good way to visually enlarge a small room is to hang a large mirror in it. The best effect can be achieved if the mirror is frameless. The mirror should reflect something that will be interesting to look at - a beautiful bedspread, a favorite picture or a large green flower. nine0003

Photo wallpaper can also be used to create the illusion of space. It can be, for example, a path leading into the middle of the jungle, a street from which a Greek city is visible, or a suspension bridge through the trees.
In a small room, it is better to refrain from hanging heavy curtains and curtains. Instead, you should install blinds or light white delicate curtains.

How to paint a small room to add character to it?

When furnishing a small room, it is worth considering not only its optical magnification, but its uniqueness and originality. Several methods can be used here. Choose at least two paint colors for the room, such as from the same color palette but in a different shade: mint and light green, as well as heavily bleached pink and very light lilac. nine0003

Painting one wall a richer, darker color also gives a fantastic effect. It can be a wall near a desk or behind a TV. It is better not to paint all the walls in a dark color. It is also worth remembering that the floor and ceiling remain light. The only exception is apartments in apartment buildings, where the height of the rooms is 4-5 meters.

A long and narrow room can not only be enlarged optically, but its proportions can also be evened out. In this case, longer walls are visually removed by painting them with cold-colored paint, and shorter ones are brought closer by painting them with warm-colored paint. Another equally effective way is to paint the narrower wall a rich color that contrasts with the rest of the walls. Such a procedure will make it seem further than it actually is. nine0003

Techniques for furnishing a small room

Choosing the right color for walls, furniture and accessories is not the only way to make a small room look bigger. Sometimes quite satisfactory results can be achieved with little cost and effort. For example, a ceiling can be optically elevated by painting it a pure satin white, and white stripe can be minimized (or eliminated) at the top of painted walls. On the other hand, the wider the strip, the greater the effect of dividing the walls. Here it is worth deciding whether you need to optically enlarge the ceiling or visually expand the walls. nine0003

Vertical stripes on the walls will visually elevate the room, while horizontal stripes will expand the interior. In a small room it is good to use shades of the same color. For example, wallpapers with white stripes of different shades will look beautiful.
Total look white room is a great way to optically enlarge a room. A white floor and white walls will blur the boundaries between the planes, making the room seem larger, and white furniture and accessories against such a backdrop will further enhance this effect. nine0003

Furnishing a small space with plenty of storage space

Even if you use color tricks in a small room to make it look larger or to accommodate bright, light-colored furniture. or even decorated in white, it will be useless if you do not take care of enough storage space. Things placed on open shelves, scattered anywhere due to lack of storage space, make the room look smaller.

For example, books are best stored in light-colored thin shelves or bookcases.

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