I have an older house with a lot of character. It was built in 1801. It has low celling with small rooms, large windows. It also has the norrow spiral stairs. what colors can I use to make it seem larger. There is a lot of oak throughout the house.. can you help me??
2006-08-17 14:06:33 · 9 answers · asked by bigpeanuthead 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Soft colors, as has been mentioned above.
Use trim to fool the eye -- slightly thinner trim around the doors and windows can help to make a room feel a little bigger than it is. Traditional crown molding will visually pull the ceiling down; however, a thin cove molding can blend the walls and ceiling without making the ceiling seem lower than it is.
No wainscotting or chair rails. They will make a small room feel smaller.
Use lamps and wall sconces instead of overhead lights. If the ceiling is lower than 8', a ceiling fan would probably be a bad idea.
Mini blinds without curtains help to make a room feel bigger, although many would slap you silly for doing that to a 200-year-old house. A light lacy curtain and valance can dress up the window, just don't use dark heavy drapes.
2006-08-17 14:55:31 · answer #1 · answered by Gitchy gitchy ya ya da da 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I had a home like yours, I would try to bring as much warmth and character to each room as possible. To achieve this, try to stay away from Whites, Creams and Grays, even in the smallest of spaces. White does make rooms seem larger, but also devoids them of any charm or personality.
What colors add warmth and will enrich the already oak accents through the house? Choose warmer tones such as Peach, Beige, Pastel Yellow, and even an orange. The house size will not change, but the FEEL of the room will change dramatically. It makes the difference, to guests entering as well as yourself seeing it everyday, to walk into a room that feels comfortable, relaxing, and of good high energy!
2006-08-18 00:05:57 · answer #2 · answered by myksha2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light colors, they reflect light better, therefore brighter and seemingly larger rooms. Choose like White to Cream or Yellow, to compliment the Oak.
2006-08-17 21:15:59 · answer #3 · answered by droolie_da_dog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
patterns on the floor and not on the celing will make your eye go down so that would be a good start, if woods currently the flooring then a flat neutral grey or something for the celing would be good. For the walls, a horizontal runner at 2/5 the height, like a paneling system would work too.
2006-08-17 21:12:46 · answer #4 · answered by bricabrac 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really like to keep colors simple, nothing radical. The interior color in my house is called Pecan and it's from Lowes (Hardware Store). I painted all the interior walls in all the rooms this color, and left the ceilings white. Pecan goes well with all furniture colors and to me never goes out of style, it would look very rich in your house.
2006-08-17 21:15:16 · answer #5 · answered by mybluemax1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whites and pastels and super white ceilings and so on dont border or add any crown mouldings as that drops the eyeline and shortens the rooms also chairrails with the lighter colors above or stripes or an impact wall will draw the eyes up and elongate the rooms
2006-08-17 21:12:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Light colors mahe rooms seem larger. E-mail me with specifics and I may be able to help. I remodel for a living.
2006-08-17 21:15:10 · answer #7 · answered by Tim B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then finish with some mirrors to help elongate walls.
2006-08-17 21:30:03 · answer #8 · answered by lucyanddesi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lighter colors would probably work best and you should paint your ceiling the same color as your walls.
2006-08-17 21:21:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋