Living in a small space can feel confining, but the right color scheme can work magic. Certain shades have the power to make a room appear more spacious and airy. When selecting paint colors for your compact home, focus on light, bright hues that create an illusion of openness. Here are five perfect colors for making small rooms look bigger.
Cool, ethereal aqua is one of the most effective colors for opening up a tiny room. Softly saturated shades like Harbor Mist by Behr have a weightless quality that makes walls seem to recede. Painting your compact space in this refreshing aqua tone will impart a sense of clarity and expansion.
Aqua’s soothing watery vibe also pairs nicely with white trim, furniture and accessories. Try glossy white built-ins paired with gauzy aqua curtains in a petite home office. Or opt for white bedding with aqua accents in a cramped bedroom. Keeping furnishings light prevents the space from feeling closed in.
Light gray is a charming alternative to crisp white that can make a small room feel more expansive. Try a muted tone like Behr’s Silver Drop—it’s pale and innocuous without being clinical. This hushed gray shade has a soothing Zen quality perfect for opening up a space.
In a compact living area, adorn serene gray walls with oversized art, mirrors and windows to draw the eye upward and outward. Or create a relaxing oasis in a tiny bedroom with gray walls, white linens and natural wood nightstands. The harmonious neutral palette keeps the room feeling airy.
Pale, misty purple communicates the feeling of a wide open sky at dusk. These ethereal lilac shades work beautifully in small rooms, imparting a dreamy, expanded sense of space. Consider a muted tone like Behr’s Mystic Orchid—it’s almost watercolor-like in effect.
Use sheer white curtains and gauzy canopy beds to enhance the whimsical charm of lilac walls. Keep other furnishings in the room spare and minimalist; too many visual details will overcrowd the petite space. A few key pieces in white with touches of silver or peach work nicely with the diluted purple backdrop.
Verdant green may seem counterintuitive for making compact rooms appear larger. But pale, hazy shades like sage actually expand a space with their soft, natural vibe. Try a faint tone like Silver Sage by Behr—the grayish-green has an ethereal misty quality.
In a small bedroom, pair wispy green walls with crisp white trim, bedding and furnishings punctuated by warm wood accents. The mix of muted green, bright white and natural textures keeps things light and airy. In a tiny bathroom, use wispy green on the walls and a white subway tile shower surround for a serene spa-like retreat.
Yes! I know i say goodbye beige, but SOMETIMES its ok, especially when natural light isn’t a option – For a foolproof open and airy look, stick with a super pale neutral like beige. This versatile shade works in any room, providing a clean backdrop for furniture and accessories in bolder hues. Go for a barely-there tone like Swiss Coffee by Behr.
The beauty of neutral beige is that it complements any style. In boho spaces, layer on textured rugs, woven wall hangings and rattan furniture. For contemporary rooms, use sleek lines, bold art and pops of citrus. In traditional homes, add florals, ornate furnishings and antique accents. No matter your decor style, neutral beige walls will make the space feel open and light-filled.
Keep these pointers in mind when selecting paint colors:
By leveraging the power of pale, ethereal paint shades, you can make even the most pint-sized space feel open, breathable and expansive.
Dale is the colorful mind behind HuetifulHomes.com, where he shows you how to create a home that is as fun and fabulous as you are. He has a passion for color and a knack for DIY, with years of interior design experience he shares his tips and tricks on how to create a home that reflects your personality and style. He believes that color is the key to happiness, and he wants to help you make your home more Huetiful.
