Paint Colours that Make a Room Look Larger

Welcome to the world of optical illusions, where paint colours possess the power to transform confined spaces into seemingly expansive retreats. With the right shade and proper application, even the smallest room can feel like an inviting, spacious haven.

Today, we will dive into the art of selecting colours that can make any room appear larger. We will also share expert tips and tricks for selecting the perfect hue to create an airy, open atmosphere in your home or office.

Whether you're a seasoned decorator or a novice homeowner, join us on this journey to discover the transformative magic of colour and give your space a much-desired boost of visual square footage.

Colours That Make a Room Feel Larger

When it comes paint colours to make a room look brighter or making a room feel larger not all colours are equal. Some colours naturally reflect light and can help open up a room while other colours have the opposite effect and can make even dark living room or the largest of spaces feel brighter and more spacious.

Let's take a look at which colours can make a dark room feel brighter and larger.

White

When it comes to creating a sense of openness and spaciousness, white reigns supreme as the ultimate choice. This timeless classic has long been a favourite among interior designers and homeowners alike for its unparalleled ability to brighten and expand any room.

The key white paint offers in making spaces feel larger is that it is unmatched in reflecting natural and artificial light, bouncing it around the room and creating an airy, open atmosphere.

This effect not only reflects light and makes the space appear larger but also contributes to a feeling of freshness and cleanliness.

Another advantage white walls offer is working with a wide range of design styles and colour schemes. From classic traditional to chic contemporary designs. White can do it all.

While standard unaltered white is impossible to go wrong with there is a lot to be said for off-white shades. These paint colours are an offshoot of standard white that have undertones of other colours and can create a little more visual interest.

There are a vast array of off-whites to choose from, each with its own unique appeal and characteristics. From blue off-whites with their calming vibes or yellow-infused warm tones that project a more cosy, inviting ambience.

Let's spotlight a few of our top off-white shades.

First, we have Lotus F448. This white has the tiniest drop of green added to it giving it a more refreshing and natural vibe. Lotus will work to great effect in any room in your home to great effect.

Another versatile off-white you will want to consider is Ice Rose J503. This shade shows just how broad of a spectrum off-white shades traverse. Ice Rose has a very slight pink and blue undertone, that makes brings a very soft, relaxing feel to any room.

Another strong choice for those looking to create the illusion of space is light blue. Pale blue shades evoke a sense of serenity and a soothing calm that help you relax. This makes light blue colours ideal for spaces where you may want to relax more such as in the bedroom or living room.

Light blues interact with and reflect light in the same manner as white does. This enables light blues shades to make spaces feel much larger and open. Ideal for rooms that feel a little cramped.

One light blue you will want to consider is our Glacier Y435. This pale powder blue that has a soft, muted appeal with yellow tones and a very small touch of grey. Glacier will bring a calming presence to any space it is painted in.

Cumulus Y354 is another favourite light blue shade of ours. It was even our colour of the year for 2021. Cumulus differs from Glacier being a touch more vibrant while still projecting the same sense of calm and stability that you would expect from a light blue shade.

Looking for a colour with a strong connection to nature while still creating that sense of space? Light green shades are an excellent choice.

Light greens bring together the rejuvenating essence of nature with a sense of spaciousness and are a relaxing backdrop for any room in your home. This versatile colour works wonderfully in various settings, including living rooms, bedrooms, and even kitchens or bathrooms.

One great thing about decorating with light green shades is that it works well as the only colour in a scheme and can easily pair with a wide range of complementary colours and work with aspects of your design.

Aloe X381 is a pale green hue that is both playful and welcoming. This shade of light green is sure to add a refreshing edge to the appeal of your space. You will find it works best when combined with soft neutral shades.

Looking for an even lighter green? Cucumber Y383 is here to the rescue. It is one of the softest and most subtle shades of green in our whole colour collection and is sure to bring comfort and a relaxing sense to your home.

Pale greys are another brilliant choice for those looking to create the illusion of space in a small room. Much like the off-white shades light greys bring a welcome modern appeal and boast an incredible ability to make any room feel more expansive, elegant, and inviting.

The versatility of grey allows it to adapt to various design styles, from modern minimalism to classic traditional design, while effortlessly creating the illusion of a larger, bigger and brighter space.

One advantage opting for light greys brings is that it tends to blend into the background and not attract much attention allowing other features of your space to shine. Ideal if you already have furniture or accessories which are particularly vibrant.

As one of our most popular greys Bungalow G500 is a solid pick for anyone considering a grey shade. This grey is bound to bring a light and airy feel to dark rooms in your home and complement any other colours or furniture in your colour scheme.

If you are in the mood for a more muted tone Salvador Sky is a very strong candidate. This is quite a complex shade. While mostly grey it does have strong blue undertones and a touch of mint green. Great for anyone looking for something just a little different.

Colours You Should Avoid

While the above colour families are all brilliant at reflecting light and making a room feel larger there are also many colours which do the exact opposite and would be worth avoiding.

As a rule of thumb, you could say all dark colours are a bad idea as they tend to absorb light more than reflect it. Of course, black would be the worst offender here, however, it is not alone on the list. Dark blues, greens, browns, and other darker accents of shades are all poor choices if your goal is to create the illusion of space.

Tips for Making a Space Feel Bigger

So, now you have your paint colour picked out for making your room feel more spacious.

What's next?

Even with the perfect paint colour picked out there is still quite a bit you can do to make your room feel even more spacious. Here are our top tips on what to consider.

Use Mirrors

Our first tip is to use mirrors to amplify natural light and create a sense of depth in a room. The placement of your mirror is key here. Try to hang it opposite the light source for maximum effect.

Use Darker or Bolder Colours on a Feature Wall

While lighter shades are the key to making a room appear larger, there is a role darker colours can play. Try experimenting with darker shades on a single wall to make the room feel longer.

Let Natural Light In

Natural light is your best friend when it comes to making a room feel larger. Let as much of it in as possible. Make sure windows are unobstructed and use lighter curtains to let light into the room.

Position Furniture Strategically

Another way to make your space feel larger is by strategically positioning furniture to create more space within. The aim here is to create clean visual lines and incorporate multi-functional space-saving pieces wherever possible such as foldaway tables, or shelving.

Vertical Space & Emphasize Horizontal Lines

Use directional planes to your advantage for a bit of visual trickery to make your room feel larger.

You can do this by using tall slender furniture to create the impression of a taller room. This also works well for the previous point contributing to the amount of free space available in total as taller storage units will require less room and still add to your total storage capabilities.

Horizontal lines can also work in your favour by creating the illusion of width. A few ways to incorporate this into your space include long shelving, dado rails, accent wall, or even wider pieces of furniture such as a coffee table.

Reduce Clutter

Likely one of the quickest and easiest solutions to making a room feel larger on this list. Avoid clutter. Nothing quite makes a room feel cramped as much as being disorganised and messy will.

There is no shortage of smart storage solutions available that will help you keep your belongings in order. Start with this one for a very quick win.