Priya Kapoor
Painting a room is an easy and affordable way to make it look bigger. While paint cannot physically change the dimensions of a space, it can create the illusion that it is bigger or smaller. This can be achieved through the clever use of colour, patterns, and strategic placement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint Colours | Light and bright colours such as white, pale blue, grey, and yellow |
| Paint Colours to Avoid | Dark colours, mid to deep tones, and warm colours |
| Patterns | Vertical stripes, smaller patterns, and wide stripes in one area |
| Décor | Minimal décor, mirrors, and large-scale artwork |
| Walls and Ceilings | Paint the ceiling a lighter shade than the walls, use a monochromatic scheme, or paint the bottom half of the wall white and the upper half dark |
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What You'll Learn
Use light and cool colours
When it comes to making a room look bigger, it's not just about the colour you choose but also the way it plays with light and space. Lighter colours with cool tones like blue, grey, and green reflect light well and make a room feel more spacious. These colours are recessive to the optic nerve, creating the illusion of a larger space.
Soft whites, off-whites, and light neutrals are a great way to brighten up a room and make it feel more open. You can also use these colours on the ceiling to create an airy effect and make the room appear taller. This technique is especially useful for smaller spaces or rooms with low ceilings.
Pale blues, such as Gauze, and airy blues like Smoke 2122-40, are ideal for small spaces as they recede and give the illusion of opening up a space. A light blue shade on the ceiling can also brighten up a dimly lit room.
Light and cool colours make walls seem farther away than they are. For a rectangular living room, consider painting the wall at the far end a rich blue, dark grey, or deep green. These colours create a sense of depth, making the wall appear to recede.
To make a narrow room look wider, paint the shorter opposing walls a slightly darker shade than the longer walls. This will create a sense of balance and make the room feel more open.
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Avoid clutter
Clutter is the enemy of small spaces. If you want to make a small room look bigger, getting rid of clutter is the best thing you can do. This doesn't mean getting rid of your cherished items, but finding creative ways to store them out of sight.
Baskets placed in the corner can hold extra blankets, magazines, books, and toys, keeping them out of the way. Every surface in your room does not need to be covered in décor. The more you can open it up and let it “breathe”, the larger the space will feel. Place décor arrangements in groups of three or five items on tables or dressers.
When it comes to artwork, opt for one large-scale piece on a wall instead of a gallery display of smaller pictures. If you have many smaller pictures, place them all on one wall.
You can also use mirrors to create the illusion of more space. Mirrors reflect light and bounce it around the room, tricking the eye into perceiving increased space. Floor-to-ceiling drapery can also provide an instant height boost to any room, but if you want to create a sense of openness, consider eliminating curtains altogether.
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Use mirrors
Mirrors are a great way to make a room look bigger. They reflect light, creating a brighter and more open space. When using mirrors to create the illusion of space, opt for a simple, large design. A single large mirror is more effective than a grouping of small mirrors. A large floor mirror can make a room feel loftier, and you can even place furniture in front of it to create a "room within a room" effect.
Positioning is key when using mirrors to make a room look bigger. A well-placed mirror can reflect natural light, brightening up the room and creating a sense of openness. Designer Victoria Holly recommends placing a larger mirror opposite a window, especially if there is a view, to reflect the outdoors and let you see the view from different angles. This also doubles the amount of natural light in the room.
Mirrors can also be used to reflect a textured object in the room, such as a rustic coffee table or a vase of flowers. This adds interest and character to the space. If you have a beautiful garden, a mirror can be placed outdoors to reflect it and enjoy it from different angles.
To make a room with angled walls feel less cramped, hang a large mirror on one of the angled walls. This allows for reflection from multiple angles and gives the illusion of the room being larger.
If you want to create the illusion of height, consider installing a tall, vertical mirror. This adds visual interest and accentuates the vertical lines in the room. A mirror opposite the door you enter a room through will immediately make the space feel bigger.
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Paint vertical stripes
Painting vertical stripes is a great way to make a small room look bigger. This technique, known as vertical decorating, gives the illusion of more height and space. It is a clever way to trick the eye into thinking the ceiling is higher than it is.
To paint vertical stripes, first decide on the width of the stripes. Stripes look best when they are between 4 and 12 inches wide. If you want the stripes to be of equal width, measure the height of the wall and divide it by an odd number to determine the width. This ensures the pattern starts and ends with the same colour.
Next, choose your colours. You will need one colour for the base coat and another for the stripes. It is best to use colours of a similar tone to create a subtle, elegant effect. However, if you want to make a statement, you can use contrasting colours.
Once you have chosen your colours, apply the base coat to the wall and let it dry for at least four hours. Then, use painter's tape to mark off the sections for the stripes. To create crisp lines, apply the paint between the taped-off areas using the "W" technique and fill it in without lifting the roller. For better coverage, go over the tape line with paint. Continue in sections until you are finished. Remove the tape while the paint is still tacky, pulling it away from the wall at a 45-degree angle.
By following these steps, you can create beautiful vertical stripes that will make your room look taller and more open. It is a simple and effective way to transform the space and create the illusion of more height.
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$1.74
Use gloss finishes
Gloss finishes are an effective way to make a room look bigger. The higher the gloss, the more light is reflected, and the more spacious the room feels. Gloss finishes can also highlight imperfections, so it is important to properly prepare and sand the surface before painting.
Gloss finishes are particularly effective in rooms with abundant natural light, as the gloss finish will mirror and diffuse the light, creating a subtle shift in the wall's appearance throughout the day. This can also be achieved with a high-gloss door, which amplifies the available light and bounces it around the room.
To create a consistent appearance, try using high-gloss paint for the trim. This will give your home a seamless flow and tie each room together. A consistent trim colour will also highlight the walls and the interior's shape and architecture.
High-gloss paint can also be used to create stunning furniture that appears customised for your home. Try matching your furniture to the colour or finish of your walls, or use a different colour of high-gloss paint for eye-catching pieces that contrast with the interior design.
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Frequently asked questions
Using a combination of dark and bright white colours can make a room look bigger. For instance, painting the ceiling and walls a light colour such as white or a very light hue, and painting one wall a dark colour, will draw the eye towards the light colour and make the room feel taller.
Avoid using overly bold patterns or high-contrast colour combinations between walls and ceilings as they can make the room feel enclosed. Instead, use a cohesive colour palette that promotes openness and flow throughout the room. Lighter colours like off-whites, light neutrals, pale blues and greens, and pastels can make a room feel brighter and bigger.
Vertical stripes can make a room look taller and create a sense of openness. Avoid painting stripes on all walls and stick to wide stripes on a single accent wall. Painting the ceiling a lighter shade than the walls can also make the room look taller.
