What color(s) should I paint my room to make it look bigger?

Question

And then I also want a "cool" color (I know, nice choice of words...) Um, I mean something other than the primary colors...so I guess I'm asking, what shades will make my room look bigger?

Oh my gosh! I was going to put a question about mirrors in here too but forgot. But, where can I buy these huge mirrors to put in my room anyway? I tried Home Depot already--nothing-- and then other stores I tried, they were all framed and more pricey because of that...?

Answer 1

After growing up in hardware from the age of 9, and doing it for 16 years before selling our business, I would have to say that anything close to White, or maybe a very light shade of whatever color you choose will help the best.

Also the more items you have covering the walls will tend to make the room look smaller.

You could always use a light shade of the color you like, and accent with rugs and Art etc...

Look around your house and other places you go to, depending on what color the walls are make a room feel bigger or smaller, for example black walls with dark carpeting with feel very tiny.

Compare the feels of other rooms you go into wherever they may be, and notice the differences in the lighter colors making it feel more roomy.

Best example I can think of is a restaurantwith white walls and tile floor, versus a restaurant with wood floors and wood walls.

You can pretty much use any color and make it feel larger, but look at the colors of the rooms you go into and you'll see a difference in how it feels.

Main reason lighter colors make it feel bigger, is due to the light is able to bounce off of the light colored walls, if you have light on a dark wall it doesnt really reflect and fill the room.

Another example... think of a light in a closet with wood or dark walls, and then think of a closet with white walls, and the same light.. the second one will look huge!

Hope that helps.

Mirrors- You can also call a local glass distributor for mirrors without frames, and you can get it cut to any size you want, and it may not be to expensive. Look up glass in your local phone book.

Answer 2

Paint it satin white and don't add curtains to your windows. If you don't want any sunlight, add thick, clean-cut blinds. Organize everything to have a certain spot in the room and make sure you can walk around without things getting too cluttered. Depending on how small your room is and where the windows are located, see what works better, having your bed against the middle of your wall or pushed into the wall corner. Putting it in a corner will give your more floor room but in some cases, your other furniture won't be as organized depending on what furniture you have such as chairs, desks, dressers, mirrors, rugs, etc.

Answer 3

It's true lighter colors make a room look bigger. you might try painting one wall an accent color, this trick helps move that wall further away visually. You might even paint the ceiling (called the 5th wall) a few shades darker than the walls or a different accent color for a great effect. Mirrors also help.

Answer 4

You should paint your walls white or cream, and paint a large horizontal stripe, blue or green, all the way around the room. The large horizontal stripe will make it look wider, because it draws your eyes along the lines where the walls meet the floor/ceiling.
If you have large windows in the room, think about large, light colored drapes/blindes to block out a bit of the light, because otherwise the room will absorb and maintain a lot of heat.

Answer 5

There's a book (available at Home Depot) called "Decorating 1-2-3". In Chapter one (on page 8), it says "Cool colors remind us of forest glens, crystal blue skies, purple shadows, and dusky foliage... they create the illusion of distance... and make a cramped room appear larger. Make a ceiling look taller by painting it cool white. For a greater illusion of height, continue the ceiling down the wall a foot or more, and cover it with a picture rail that runs around the top of the room." [Wow, that's a cool idea!]

In the first chapter, too, it gives a color wheel and discusses how to use it (page 9). Even better, page 12 starts discussing seven styles and gives great co-ordinating colors ("palettes") that can help you acheive a fabulous room! Decide what style best suits you and put those colors together!

Look at the pages in the rest of the book and you'll also get great ideas (for shelves, cubby holes, accent pieces, wall hangings). The book also gives instructions in painting walls -- sponging, ragging, color wash, faux...).

Other chapters discuss ceilings, doors, and floors.

I'm not suggesting you buy the book - I'm just suggesting you look at it (and other books/magazines) for ideas.



This is a site at hgtv.com ("Small spaces, big Style"). On the left, you'll see Special features and other helps, including TV shows (that may offer tips). Click on the Decorating Tab (top). You'll see (under "Most Popular"), "Color Secrets"... "Room Planner", etc. There may be ideas there. On the left of that page, there are more options (window treatments, "trash to treasure", stenciling, frames...). Again, ideas.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hssbs

Well, I sure hope you're going to write and let me know what you decided on & how it came out! Wishing you the best - and fun doing it!!!

Clar :D

Answer 6

Try to stick with ligher colors. Anything too bold or dark will just make it seem smaller. If you want cool colors try to pick a really bold color and use that as trim. Then have them help you find a lighter color that is in the same family to compliemnt it. That way your room will look larger and it will still be a cool color. Also large mirrors on your wall will help.

Answer 7

My brother's room went from a Taco Bell light turquoise to a very "cool" light tan. The color went well with the wood floors and made the room look much bigger and much better.

A light lime green also looks great. Try it with white or light cream-colored molding.

Answer 8

Pale, soft color schemes tend to give the illusion of more space. I'm not saying that the small room has to be pink, but avoid strong, exciting colors. Use the brights for accessories select pastel tones, neutrals, and whites for backgrounds. "Cool" colors give the feeling of Light walls give this an open feeling.



Good luck happy painting!

Answer 9

if your room has low ceilings, painting them in a shade that is darker than the walls will instantly make them appear even lower. Give them height by adopting a lighter shade.


Similarly, if the floorspace feels limited, try to paint the walls in a lighter shade than the floor. This will help increase the sense of floorspace. Other tips for increasing the sense of space include choosing a 'cool' colour scheme - this will boost your sense of roominess.

Answer 10

It doesn't necessarily have to be light colors, people think light means bigger, but actually darker colors add depth to a room. Plus color on walls is more modern and fun than white.