Small rooms are often difficult when it comes to choosing color schemes. Whether you’re decorating a small living room, a small bedroom, or a bathroom, there’s the age-old question that immediately comes to mind: Should small rooms be painted light or dark? ?
“Whether small rooms are painted in light or dark colours, the key is to create a harmonious balance that suits the space and its function,” said Dominic Mylands, CEO of Mylands.
When faced with a small room, our first thought is usually “white,” and yes, that often works. The best white paint is very effective because it bounces light and creates the illusion of space, but if white isn’t your thing, there are other colors to consider that will do the job just as well.
Founded in 1884 by Dominic’s grandfather, Maylands is Britain’s oldest family-owned paint and polish manufacturer. Working in all areas of the company from the factory to the board of directors, Dominic took over the company from his father in 1998 and continues the family tradition of painting perfection.
Should small rooms be painted light or dark?
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At the top of the list of things to consider is how you want your small room to feel. Light and airy? comfortable? It’s also wise to think carefully about the colors you’re drawn to. Go and pick up some paint samples and draw them on A4 sheets of paper, then hang them around your house and see how they change in the light over a few days.
“Although it may seem counter-intuitive, dark walls will recede and add a sense of depth to a small space,” says Patrick O’Donnell, Brand Ambassador, Farrow & Ball. “This is also often a solution for poorly lit rooms such as north-facing spaces.”
One option is to choose a mid-tone color that can suit both light and dark rooms. “Light shades like sage green are a great choice for smaller rooms because they make the walls appear taller and make the room feel larger,” explains Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown.
What color is best to paint a small room?
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As mentioned earlier, lighter colors tend to get more attention in a small room than darker shades. They help to visually expand the space and create a lighter feeling. The colors to consider in this case are softer shades – light gray small living room ideas are favourites, as well as lighter shades of blue or blush pink. Don’t forget neutral colors like oatmeal, mocha and caramel, as they will add warmth without being too intense.
On the other hand, when considering a design discussion, “Should small rooms be painted light or dark?” When you’re trying to choose the best color combinations, you may realize that you love the harmonious feel of deep, rich shades like plum, chocolate, charcoal, and navy blue. It really comes down to personal choice and thinking about what you want to use the space for and how you want it to feel.
What are the best colors for a small, north-facing room?
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North-facing rooms are those that get little natural light and do not get much sun. They can tend to feel cold, and if you also have low ceilings, this is a design element that should be taken into account in your color choices.
Many people think that north-facing rooms are cold or dark, due to the lack of warm direct sunlight; To counter this, inject warmth by using light-toned neutrals with a warm undertone like “Rolling Fog” or “Travertine,” says Ruth Mottershead, Little Greene’s creative director.
What are the best colors for a small, south-facing room?
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Believe it or not, south facing rooms can feel very warm because the sun will be beating down on them which can make the colors look a bit harsh. This is where you can choose ‘cooler’ shades to strike the perfect balance, whether you’re on the side of light or dark in the ‘should small rooms be painted light or dark’ debate.
“Whether the space is flooded with natural light or has dramatically changing light throughout the day, the orientation of each room should be considered separately to ensure you choose a shade that complements the space,” advises Little Greene’s Ruth.
“South-facing rooms are often bathed in warmer light, making colors appear more yellow, so cool shades tend to read as more neutral, and warm colors are often too intense. North-facing rooms tend to make colors appear more expansive and cooler.” Static than when exposed to direct light, use warm colors to avoid this.
What light colors are best for a small room?
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Home offices and bathrooms are often small in size and therefore need some interior design tricks to make them work as perfectly as possible, so take some time on your home office color schemes or small bathroom color ideas.
“Small home offices can really benefit from white walls,” advises Victoria Cedeno, branding specialist at furniture company Zinus. “Not only does it make the room look brighter and more spacious, but using a lighter color can have a positive impact on productivity as well.”
‘To add warmth and create a cozier feeling during the winter months, choose a feature wall. The plywood works perfectly here against the white wall and wooden desk, adding texture, depth and warmth to the space.’
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More often than not, bathrooms are the smallest space in the house even though they are one of the most used, so it’s important that you get it right when choosing color ideas for your small bathroom. “Consider painting the lower half of the walls your favorite color.” Helen Shaw, Benjamin Moore’s marketing manager, suggests a clever way to ask whether small rooms should be painted light or dark.
“Not only does this add interest, it can trick the eye into making the space appear larger – the top half of the walls in white blends seamlessly with the ceiling, making it appear distant. For the bottom half, choose a light pastel color as this creates a relaxing, sanctuary feeling while also helping In keeping the space open.’
(Image credit: Future PLC/Emma Lewis)
Low ceilings in small living rooms can help you achieve crisp white, but consider opting for warm colors instead.
“Using deeper shades with a warm undertone on both the walls and ceiling will provide the illusion of space, and make you less conscious of where the wall stops and the ceiling begins,” explains Patrick of Farrow & Ball.
‘You can apply this technique to furniture like sofas for small living rooms as well. This will help reduce the sense of size of the furniture in a space where floor space is at a minimum.’
What are the best dark colors for a small room?
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Charcoal gray is a great choice for a small room if you decide to go to the dark side when weighing in if painting small rooms light or dark. Break it up with crisp white woodwork and use accents and texture to create balance.
“If you have a smaller space, a good rule when it comes to your design is to keep things simple,” says Gisela Lancaster, purchasing director at Sofology. ‘A monochromatic scheme broken down into one distinct colour, such as a combination of gray and white, is simple and elegant, and helps make the room appear larger.
Rattan, wood, pottery, and metal are all great options to consider. Accent colors like emerald green and taupe work well too.
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If you love print and pattern, mix that (wallpaper ideas are the perfect way to achieve this) with a darker shade for a decorative space full of interest.
“Dark colors can work wonders in small spaces, creating a sense of comfort and sophistication,” says Debbie Leigh, design director at fabric brand ILIV. “The key to achieving this look is to balance deep tones with well-coordinated patterns. By using patterned fabrics in upholstery and soft furnishings, you can easily achieve the perfect balance that will add depth to a small room.
Debbie is an expert in creating beautifully coordinated fabric combinations that can be easily combined to create harmonious interior schemes. With over 10 years of experience, she takes every design from concept to finished fabric – inspired by the latest trends and technologies from every continent.
For best results, use coordinating designs in a range of pattern sizes – for example, if you choose a large-scale pattern as your main pattern, the second should be half the size or size of the first, such as large florals. Debbie advises pairing them with a plaid or geometric pattern. “The third can be similar to either of the first two but using matching colors.”
“When mixing two or three patterns, it’s also a good idea to break them up with clever use of plains either as plain cushions, accents or borders.”
“If you’re not sure, try looking at the accompanying fabric books. They’ve been carefully selected by fabric companies as pre-mixed tonal patterns. Instead, try collecting samples and creating a mood board to make sure everything works together before starting on the actual room.”