How to Choose Paint Colors for Small Spaces

Without the right paint colors, a small room can seem even smaller.

The main goal of painting a small space is to make that space seem larger---or at least not any smaller. Paint goes a long way toward setting a mood and creating a feeling of space or cozy intimacy in a room. When decorating a small room, try to stay away from stark whites, which can create a claustrophobic feeling, and avoid gloomy neutrals that might make a room seem dark and oppressive.

Things You'll Need

• Paint swatches
• Paint samples
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

1. Choose a color scheme that pleases you. A color scheme may be made up of two or more colors that complement each other. Many color schemes are formed by colors that have a relationship to one another on the color wheel. For example, red and green are opposites of one another. These colors are known as complementary colors. Mint green with accents of bright red is a common color scheme, and not just at the holidays. On the other hand, analogous colors are those colors found side by side on the color wheel. Analogous color examples include red and orange, orange and yellow, purple and blue. Analogous colors have less contrast than complementary colors. Don't be afraid to pick a color scheme that is bright and bold---even for a small space. According to the HGTV website, by painting your walls with bright colors, you create a feeling of comfort and vibrancy that creates a feeling of depth and takes attention away from the small size of the room, while adding a personal touch at the same time.

2. Pick out several swatches of different hues and shades in your chosen color scheme. A "shade" is darkness or lightness of a color, determined by how much black or white has been added, while the hue refers to the actual, pure color, without white or black added. At home, mix and match your swatches. Look for colors that have vibrancy. Remember, you're trying to create a cozy feeling in your small space. Eliminate colors that don't work in line with this goal until you have narrowed down your choices to just a few possibilities for each color in your selected color scheme.

3. The HGTV website recommends painting sample swatches of each of your final color choices onto your wall so you can get a better idea of what they will look like in a variety of lighting conditions. Choose a combination of two or more colors that work well together and do not clash.

4. Decide on a paint style that will allow you to use the range of colors that you've chosen for your color scheme. One choice available to you is to paint an accent wall against one wall of the room. In a small room, an accent wall will work to create a feeling of complex space. Alternatively, long vertical stripes will create a feeling of length and will emphasize the vertical space in the room, drawing attention from the lack of horizontal space. For a color scheme made up of three or more colors, you'll need to be creative. By combining an accent wall with a separate trim color and a dominating color on the other three walls, you can create a bold and colorful interior.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult interior design and home decorating magazines for more ideas and color combinations.

References

• HGTV: Color Rules for Small Spaces