help me redecorate in FIVE easy questions?

Question

we moved in about a year ago and i just LOATHE the nasty off-white/pale yellowish colors the default newly built homes with.

i'm playing off these gorgeous russet rose sheets and trying natural green walls.

i'm just looking for suggestions and a few tips to help me out,
i have no clue where to even start!




1) every source seems to give me completely different information. so i would love to clear this up...
what colors or shades can help make a small, and often cluttered room seem bigger?

i've posted 5 questions about different aspects of the room i'm redecorating.
please help with as many as possible
thank you

Answer 1

The colors you choose for the walls probably won't make as much difference as how you choose all the colors in the room...for instance:

If your trim (window and door casing, closet doors, baseboard) contrasts with walls, it creates visual borders, making the room seem smaller.

If your trim is very close to the color of the walls, the space has fewer visual boundaries--looks bigger.

For "action" on the walls without wallpaper, paint your base color, and then buy a quart of the same color in a different finish (if you use flat on the walls, get some semi-gloss) and paint vertical stripes freehand. It's subtle, but interesting.

Contrary to popular belief, a color (similar to walls, or from same color family) on the ceiling has somewhat the same effect--makes the walls and ceiling seem more continuous, and actually can make the ceiling seem higher. This is especially fun for color lovers.

Next comes furniture and accessories. Again, your choices here can make the room feel visually pleasing, or cluttered. Contrast is visually interesting--but contrast in color and pattern can be too much.

If your room is cluttered with junk, it will naturally feel quite small. Arrangement of furniture is important--be sure to use all the space in your room--if everything is pushed against the walls, it will seem cluttered. Get something into the center of the room.

Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

Painter's rule of thumb is that light, pastel and white shades tend to make a room look larger but it isn't necessarily true. It sounds like you love color and want to incorporate some rich warm colors into your home. Cudos! Before you even begin, let's do something that will make the move, the painting and you whole life much easier. If you don't absolutely love a piece, take it out. If you haven't worn or used it in the last 3 months then you probably won't. If an item is still usable, why not donate it to a good charity helping raise money for abused women and children or helping the homeless in our country. It will make your soul feel good to be helping someone else, and it will will help you get the home you dream of.

Second, determine the items that you absolutely have to use for now. Do any of them predetermine color arrangements in the rooms? You mention painting and room colors. What are the carpet and flooring colors? Is the trim a natural finish or painted? Are other rooms visible in the living area like the kitchen and/or dining rooms? What are the dominant features in here...alot of wood tones? What colors are the tile and countertops, appliances, etc.? How one room flows into the next plays into the total visual effect of paint in the home.

I have used medium tones and even some deep tones in my rooms and others I've decorated, and color used well can actually make a room appear larger than it actually is!

Answer 3

In general, light colors on the wall will open a room up, and dark colors will make it feel smaller (sometimes this means cozier).

White often implies "clean", but pale, springy colors can often do the same thing without giving a "clinical" feeling. A nice butter yellow, for example, will make the room feel fresh.

Checking the next question...

Answer 4

The lighter the color or shade - the bigger the room seems. If you like wallpaper borders, the closer to the ceiling you place it, the larger your room will seem. Another hint is to keep the center of the room free of clutter & furniture. It will also help to visually enlarge the room.

Answer 5

Light colors make the room look larger. I would try something bright, also if you add a border to the top of the wall it make the room appear taller.

Answer 6

I'd go with lighter colors. I love apple green and white together. Even pale yellows & white. Stay away from dark color or what I'd consider colors of fall.

http://www.SouthernLivingAtHome.com/TriciaZeis

Answer 7

i really like green and its a great colour to have in your home it soothes the nerves... to make a small room look bigger, paint one wall (best opposite of door or window) a darker, grass green and the rest of the walls light, pastel green- it really helps make space appear bigger. leave the ceiling white.