How to Make a Room Feel Larger with Color and Paint

Struggling to make your space feel bigger and more spacious? Fortunately, there are several interior design tips and tricks that can help create the illusion of a larger room. In this post, I’m focusing on using color and paint to achieve this goal.

Painting only half the wall keeps the room feeling spacious, this is a perfect example of that by @l_appart_de_nans

Opt for a lighter color palette

When aiming to make a room feel larger, we generally say that you should stick to lighter shades within the color spectrum.  Darker shades may have the opposite effect, making your room appear smaller. But don’t get me wrong here, a light color palette doesn’t limit you to white, beige, or light grey; colors like light green, blue, or yellow can also work well. 

Make sure to choose a lighter color for the ceiling than the walls to enhance the sense of space; a darker ceiling may make it feel lower than it actually is.

And always bring your color swatches home before making the final decision, store lighting can make a color appear totally different than in your home.

Making the ceiling color fall down a couple of centimeters on the walls lifts @home.n.mind bedroom.
Scandinavian bedroom with a dark brown ceiling making the room feel cozy.
The dark brown lowers the ceiling but adds a cozy vibe to @hotellkleiva bedroom.

Trick the eye with paint

Various painting techniques can influence how a room is perceived. Opting for a lighter color for the ceiling and extending it slightly down the walls creates the illusion of a higher ceiling, and the other way around, darker color can make your room feel and smaller. Consider painting ceiling moldings or a few centimeters down on the walls for a subtle effect of this!

The left room will appear wider than the right room thanks to a lighter green shade on the wall.

Widen or narrow a rooms shape with color shades

If you have a narrow and long room but desire a wider and shorter appearance to enhance balance and spaciousness, experiment with different shades of your chosen color. Select a darker shade for the long walls (keeping it light for an expansive feel) and a lighter shade for the short walls. This combination of shades, strategically applied, will create the illusion of a larger, more balanced room.

White bedroom with natural tones and Scandinavian futniture.
A slightly lighter shade of white for the ceiling adds dimension to the room, making it feel more spacious

Different shades of white

While an all-white scheme may seem like a straightforward solution, it doesn’t guarantee a larger-feeling room. If you want to go for a white scheme you’ll need to make sure to use different shades of white, for example: a cooler white in the ceiling and a warmer white on the walls. If you would go with the same white all over the space will lack contrast, that can make the space feel flat, an the enlargement effect won’t work.

In Conclusion

Transforming the perception of a room’s size involves a thoughtful interplay of color and strategic furniture choices. Embracing a light color palette, experimenting with paint techniques to manipulate the visual height and width, and judiciously playing with shades can remarkably enhance the sense of spaciousness. Remember, the key is not to shy away from color but to use it wisely. Avoid the monotony of an all-white scheme and instead, create a harmonious blend that captures the essence of a larger space. So, unleash your creativity, explore these tips, and witness the transformative power of color and furniture in making your room feel truly expansive and inviting.

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