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IF your home is somewhat small and you just can’t think how to give it a stately homestyle appeal, worry not, it’s all about creating a spatial illusion with a lick of paint.
You can convince yourself, and others, it’s bigger, cosier, smaller or taller with a simple burst of colour.
And here’s how:
1. White is not always right
Most people will say white when you ask them to select the best colour for a small room.
But you can make a room appear larger by painting the walls a light shade; or if you want the space to feel cosy and warm, go for rich tones.
Bottom line: avoid dark colours.
2. What’s the room used for?
If it’s a breakfast room or part of the kitchen where you drink coffee or juice first thing in the morning, choose a sunny hue.
If it’s a bedroom where you want to unwind, choose soft tones which are easy on the eye. 3. Go light Light colours are great for opening up a small space; they make a room appear larger than it is.
Don’t go for white; light green will make your small space seem as open as the great outdoors. 4. Gloss it over Using any type of gloss finish will open up a small space. Use semi-gloss in the kitchen or bathroom but stick with the gentler eggshell and satin finishes for the lounge or bedroom.
5. Marvellous monochrome
Use colours that are close in tone so that the eye moves smoothly without any interruption.
This tricks the mind into believing a room is larger.
So use colours from the same part of the palette. 6. Receding walls Try using a slightly darker shade on the wall opposite the door; this will make the wall appear to recede and so make the room seem more spacious. 7. Avoid deep colours Red, dark blue and deep purple will make the room seem smaller. They are, however, the cosiest colours, so it depends what you want. 8. Sample stripes Painting vertical stripes on the walls of a small room will make the ceiling appear higher. You’ll need to do some planning though if you want neat lines. 9. White woodwork It not only looks clean but will refract the light back into the room giving an open, spacious feeling. 10. Splurge Buy quality paint; try out www.prideandjoy.me - decorating small spaces obviously costs less than large spaces.
Pick a quality brand so you can choose from a wide range of colours and enjoy better coverage and a longer life for your walls.