10 Tips For Choosing Paint Colors for Small Living Spaces

As many of you know, living in a small space can make everything in your home seem a bit crowded. The good news is there are several ways to make your small space appear larger than it actually is. In fact, selecting the right furniture for your small space will do wonders for making it appear bigger. But, there’s still a lot more that you could do.

It may take some creative thinking, but another possible solution to “opening up” your home is to choose the right paint colors for your walls. Here are our top ten tips for selecting paint that makes your room appear larger than it really is.

Quick Tips & Tricks for Small Spaces

There are several ways you can enhance your small living area to make it seem larger and inviting. When it comes to the furniture, try to stick with monochromatic colors by choosing different textures and shades of the color you select. You should also limit the number of things you have in a single room. Too much furniture or accessories can make the room feel cluttered.

Adding wall mirrors to the room can also make the room feel larger. They can reflect images and light to make your room appear double in size. Another trick for making the room feel more open is to get a glass table and add paintings to the walls.

Photo Credit: DougWW / Flickr

Lastly, don’t forget about the lighting. Lighting can make a huge difference in a tiny house or small living space. Try placing some recessed spot lighting in the ceiling so that the fixture does not take up much room, yet still fills it with plenty of light.

Painting Tips to Make the Room Appear Larger

1. Be Bold:

   When it comes to choosing a color for your small space, you want one that will make the room seem larger. Many people settle for white because they are afraid of which color to choose. Make a bold choice and actually paint the room a color of your preference.

2. Choose Light or Cool Hues:

   Another trick to open up your small space, is to choose a color that is light or cool. This will help trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it is.

3. Avoid Dark Hues:

   If you want your space to feel warm and cozy, choose a rich jewel tone, but try to avoid dark colors at all cost. Dark colors can make your space seem smaller and more like a cave. Some of these colors include dark blue or purple, red, or black.

4. Consider the Room’s Function:

   If you are trying to choose a paint color for your kitchen, you might want to consider some bright, sunny colors so that you feel energized in the morning. When choosing a color for your bedroom, you want to pick something that will calm you down at night such as gray or sage green. Think of the room’s function and go from there.

5. Pick the Right Finish:

   If you use a gloss finish such as satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss, it can actually help open up your small space.

6. Monochromatic Colors:

   As your eye makes its way around the room, monochromatic colors can help the room feel larger. This is because there is no interruption with other colors. Coordinate your wall paint and your furniture to fit this scheme.

7. Receding Walls:

   If you want to have a more spacious feel to your room, paint the wall that is on the opposite side of the door a slightly darker shade of the color you use. This will make the wall appear to recede and add space.

8. Add Stripes:

   If you want your ceiling to appear higher than it actually is, you can paint vertical stripes on your walls.

9. Don’t Forget About Trim:

   After you are done painting the room, touch up your trim with some bright white paint. This will help reflect the light into the room and add that feeling of space and openness.

10. Cheap Isn’t Always the Answer:

    When you are at the store choosing paint colors, you may feel the urge to spend as little as possible. If you want your home to look good, put a bit more money into the paint. Quality paint can go a long way in making your room look nice and since you are only painting a small space, great paint can be affordable for you.

Having a small living space is not the end of the world. There are many things you can do to add space, or at least the appearance that the room is larger than it actually is. By following these tips and tricks, you can rearrange furniture and choose paint colors that will add that spacious feeling to your home.