Tips for Paint Colors and Room Sizes
Choosing paint colors can be a daunting task, but there are some simple tips that you can lean on to make the selection easier. Some paint colors have a way of making rooms feel larger than they actually are, and others can make rooms feel smaller.
To preface the tips below, each home, each office space, each room, each building site, is different - the location and orientation of the building in regards to the sun can make a difference in how rooms feel, so it’s always good practice to try out paint colors on the bare walls before committing to painting the entire interior. This is easily done with quart size paint samples and chip brushes from the local paint store. This is $50 well spent!
For open floor plans, pick one main neutral color and use it seamlessly throughout the building. This will create a feeling of cohesion that will make the interior feel well thought out, and convey security. This works whether the building is small or large.
In reference to Tip #1, a neutral color doesn’t have to be white or beige. A neutral color can be green or blue or yellow. Even lavender can work as a neutral. Think of neutral color as the background mood of the space, like the sky sets the mood for the horizon. So long as it is not a vibrant, loud color, you can incorporate some color into your neutral base paint and still have that cohesive feel.
In general, rooms feel smaller with dark colored walls, and rooms feel larger with light colored walls. Dark colors tend to absorb light, while light colors reflect light, and this effect can trick the eye into believing the dark color is closer while the light color is farther away.
The sheen of paint can effect how large a room feels. Using the same principle of reflectivity affecting how far away we think an object is, if you use a glossy paint that reflects light, your dark color may not have the cozying effect you anticipated. We recommend only using glossy wall paint in once off situations, such as on nearly black walls in a formal powder room. As a general rule, you will want to stick with flat or matte, sometimes eggshell sheens on walls.
Contrast also matters. To make a room feel grander, use a sharply contrasting white for your interior trim. To pull things in and make a room feel cozier and smaller, use a trim paint color closely matching the wall color.
Using these tips should help you navigate through the minefield of paint color selection. Want more tips like these? Contact us, or view more tips in our blog.