Got a small bedroom, study or guest loo that feels a bit boxed in? You don't need to knock down a wall to open it up. The right paint colour does a lot of the work. In small rooms, light colours almost always beat dark ones.
Why light colours make a room feel bigger
Light colours bounce daylight and lamplight back into the room. The walls seem to sit further away, corners soften and the whole space feels airier. Dark colours do the opposite. They soak up light, so the walls feel closer and a small room can start to feel like a cupboard.
Tip: many colour cards list an LRV (light reflectance value) from 0 to 100. For a small room, look for colours with an LRV of about 60 or higher. The higher the number, the more light the colour reflects.
Our favourite light colours for small rooms
- Warm whites and creams. Cosy and easy to live with. They're great in south-facing rooms, which get cooler, flatter light.
- Soft greys. Pick a grey with a warm undertone so it doesn't look cold or dull.
- Pale sage and soft greens. Calm and fresh, and good in bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Powder blues. Cool shades seem to step back, which adds a sense of depth. They work best in sunny, north-facing rooms.
Why we'd steer clear of dark colours in small spaces
Charcoal, navy and forest green look great in big, bright rooms. In a small room they tend to shrink the space, show every shadow and make the room feel darker at night. If you love a dark shade, bring it in through cushions, a rug or artwork, and keep the walls light.
5 tricks to make a small room feel even bigger
- Paint the ceiling lighter than the walls, or the same colour. The ceiling seems higher and the edges of the room blur.
- Match the skirting and trim to the walls. Fewer contrast lines make the room read as one larger space.
- Choose a low-sheen finish. Eggshell or satin reflects more light than flat matt. Prep the walls well, because a bit of sheen shows bumps.
- Use mirrors and light fittings. A mirror opposite a window doubles the daylight.
- Keep the floor and furniture light too. Pale rugs and slim furniture stop the room from feeling heavy.
What you'll need
- Interior wall paint in your chosen light colour [PLACEHOLDER: product link]
- Ceiling paint [PLACEHOLDER: product link]
- Roller, tray and a 50 mm brush for cutting in [PLACEHOLDER: product link]
- Masking tape and drop sheets [PLACEHOLDER: product link]
- Filler and sandpaper for prepping the walls [PLACEHOLDER: product link]
Need help choosing?
Pop into your nearest Al's Hardware branch and our team will help you pick the right colour and finish for your room. [PLACEHOLDER: confirm colour-matching / tinting service and which branches offer it]