Paint makes small room look larger

A small room is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be inviting and cozy. It can be a great place to curl up with a book or nestle with family and friends to watch a movie.

However, if you’re like most of us, at some point you’ve wished that small room was bigger — or at least appeared bigger. One of the easiest and most cost effective tricks to make that small room look larger is the creative use of color in your design scheme, specifically different colors and shades of paint.

“You can make a small room look larger and ceilings appear higher simply by getting creative when it comes to paint and color schemes,” said Ann McGuire, lead designer with the Beehive Studio, a company that specializes in interior decorative painting. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to transform the rooms in your home.”

McGuire, who is also a color consultant for Valspar paint, shares the following tips that can help you make any small room into your dream room:

* You don’t have to sacrifice warmth for the appearance of space. While many people suggest lighter shades of paint, a rich warm color like Valspar’s Sweet Cardamom can hold a room together. Keep it fresh with white trim and keep the warmth going with jewel-toned accents.

* Another way to add space to a room is to focus attention on one part of it. First decide on the focal point of the room, such as a fireplace, an architectural detail, a bookcase, etc. Make that focal point “pop” by painting the wall it’s on with a deep color.

Some colors, such as sienna, can appear rich but also read like a neutral tone. Paint the remaining three walls a coordinating lighter neutral tone such as light amber. Paint all trim this same lighter tone to give a unified effect.

* Finish off deep colors with a clear coat of satin polyurethane to give them a bright sheen, adding a touch of lightness to their deep tones.

* Another way to create the illusion of space is to bring together various neutral shades. Think about a walk along the beach: the expansiveness of the sand, waves and sky. Consider painting your floor, walls and ceiling complementary shades. Add some white slip-covered furniture and all that’s missing are the waves.

* If you have a small and short room, try painting thin vertical stripes 3 to 5 inches wide in two tone-on-tone shades. Try Valspar’s Honeysuckle Beige in a satin finish together with a cream color in a flat finish to give a warm subtle look.

* Remember, cool colors recede. Warm colors advance, appearing to come towards you.

* A decorative paint finish can add a feeling of depth. Try painting a wash of a cool color over a warm off-white base. Create the wash by filling a bucket half way with water and then add the cool color. Lightly brush on the diluted paint in a criss-cross fashion until you’ve covered the entire wall surface.

* Incorporate surfaces that reflect light: metals, mirrors, polished surfaces and glass. These open up a room, making it appear more spacious.

* Also, be sure to unclutter a small room to give it the illusion of space.

“Above all, when choosing colors for your home, select ones that make you feel happy, since you have to live there. Get inspired; let your creativity come out and literally cover your walls,” said McGuire.

For more home design tips and advice on how to coordinate colors in your home, visit www.valspar.com.

Information courtesy StatePoint Media