Colors to expand a space
25th Jan. '08 • Living Spaces • Tags: green, interior, neutrals, Pittsburgh-Paints
Authored by Kate Smith
Today’s color dilemma…
I would like to know what color might expand this space visually as I would like to make this room seem larger.
Thanks, Sylvie
Kate suggests…
Small spaces often appear smaller as a result of the simple mistake of having too many contrasting colors present. To help broaden your sense of space in a cozy room, there are a couple of solutions you can incorporate when decorating.
First choose a monochromatic color scheme. That means to choose a main color for the room and then keep the majority of elements in the room in varying shades or tints of that color.
Colors that are neutral or just a shade or two apart from each other will help create an open, airy feeling. For example you may chose a light, refreshing, green color, such as those shown below.
Greens from Pittsburgh Paints
On left top to bottom 209-3 Aloe Vera, 309-4 Quaking Grass, 410-4 Olive Sprig
On the right top to bottom 308-3 St. Augustine, 310-3 Pickling Spice
Another way to make a room seem larger is to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls. This allows your eye to expand and flow freely within the space, whereas contrasting ceiling color forces your eye to stop at the edges where the walls and ceiling meet placing more focus on the size of the walls.
Keep in mind, while furnishing your room, that too much texture can also make a space seem smaller. Smoother surfaces help to open up a space especially when they are in the same color family.
Transparent elements and objects add sparkle but “dissappear” into the scheme because their presence does’t totally obstruct the view of what is beyond or under them. This is why a designer often chooses a glass top table for a small dining space.
Resources:
- Do you have a color dilemma? Post it in the Makeover Gallery at RoomVues.com and you be the next reader to have your color questions answered on the Color For Your Home blog.
- Type in your zip code to find your local Pittsburgh Paint dealer
**Please note: Due to individual computer monitor limitations, colors seen here may not accurately reflect the paint colors. Please refer to an actual sample of the paint for an accurate rendition of the color.
Do you have an idea for the accent wall? Please share it with us in the comments.
