Large houses can be a pleasure to work with – the spaces are vast, the walls are tall enough and the rooms are evenly built. These are positive factors, especially for a painter. Small houses can be challenging but an experienced painting contractor will have worked on both large and small projects with equal ease.

It is a misconception that you are restricted to just neutrals or whites when painting a small house, but that is not always true. With the right lighting and accessories, any paint colour will look good. Dark colours will add drama and interest to an otherwise plain room. The best way to use them in a small space is – also thinking of alternate ways to use the dark shade. Can it be used in a metallic sheen, as a stencil or maybe an accent wall?

Certain painting techniques like stripes or colour blocks are a choice you have to make a small room look expansive. Larger horizontal stripes can make a room seem longer and prettier, especially when you have used matching colours. You have to be a little bold to use bright colours for a small space, however if you use a neutral colour and fewer stripes, the project is good to go.

How Can You Choose Paint Color for a Small Room?

A commonly heard decorating tip is: Use light colours if you want to make a small room appear large, but that doesn’t mean you run and get white paint. Any paint colour will look good in a small space, provided you have selected the right hue. In some cases, as a homeowner you may like a certain shade of gray but your painting contractor may suggest a shade lighter that is perfect for a small room/house. It is absolutely alright to experiment with colour samples before committing to any single one.

As mentioned above, dark colours can be used sparingly. But be sure before you pick a darker shade since it will have some impact on the visual appearance of the room. The whole dark colour/small room combination will be a hit when the right lighting and accessories have been used.

Basic Tips on Painting a Small Room:

Any paint colours that have been selected should complement the available lighting in the room. If the paint colours reflect the light well, all the dark corners can be brightened up as well

Good use of lighting can make a room appear more open and larger. Consider the use of different fixtures, below-cabinet lights or rope lighting

Consider using white trim to make a small space seem more open

The décor and paint colour should ‘flow’ consistently from open room to another

Adopt a similar colour palette in adjacent rooms/areas when you need to create the illusion on a single large space

Colour Ideas for Small Rooms:

Small Living room: If you need a new paint colour, consider shades of gray. Benjamin Moore’s Mt. Rainier Gray (2129-60) is a modern, gray paint color that has a cool look. This shade will look good even if you don’t have a modern or contemporary décor in your house. A cloudy gray will look good in a small living room, making it seem light and large.

Small kitchen: A small home can easily accommodate a beautiful little kitchen. A warm yellow such as the Fresh Butter (290) by Benjamin Moore's Hawthorne will go really well with white cabinets and some subtle gray walls and floor tiles. Yellow can be a tricky colour so before you select this for your small kitchen, have some samples painted on the fall first and then go a shade lighter/darker until you achieve the desired look.

Small (ish) Dining room:  A leading brand, Farrow & Ball offers a limited paint color palette, however, their colours are stunning and it’d be hard to not find the perfect colours for your small home. Their Cromarty or Lamproom Gray are perfect for smallish dining rooms decorated in either traditional or new age styles. Include some crystal accents and you have a gorgeous space to show off!

Front door of a small home: If you are unable to paint bright colours for the interiors of your small home, consider painting the front door a bold colour. The front door can be spot where you experiment with a fun, bold colour especially when there are all neutrals inside. If you like, the front door colour can be used in some areas inside the home as an accent colour. Benjamin Moore’s Old World (2011-40) is a great choice, the coral shade will instantly liven up navy blue accents.

Mudroom: If your small home is lucky enough to have a mudroom (like a secondary entrance to the home) – there are ways to spruce up that area as well. In such an area, you want to choose a colour that is fun and cheerful but complements the existing colour scheme. Any Magnolia Green will bring the vibrancy you desire to this often neglected space. In case, there isn’t a mudroom, accent walls, benches and mirrors can help create the desired effect.

Serene and small master suite: A small master suite can and should feel like a relaxing sanctuary. In cozy rooms like these, you want to keep colours at the minimum and anything you pick should be soothing at best. Sherwin Williams offers a great colour called Agreeable Gray that looks stunning in any light. Keep the additional accents simple to let the energy flow freely.

Apart from the suggestions above, accent walls are a smart way to include colour in a smaller area.  You can stick to the colour scheme that has been followed in elsewhere in the house or pick something you love. The trick here is to keep it subtle. A starkly contrasted look is not what you are aiming for. The objective here should be that the accent wall blends in easily with the rest of the surroundings.

Some colour consultants  have different views on the use of colour. They may suggest bright and bold colours for small homes. The idea here is to use a splashy colour and tone it down with low artificial lights, pictures or art work. If the interior rooms also have low ceilings, you are better off using light off whites since any dark hues will make the space look cramped. Shades of green, blue and peaches can also be used to brighten up reading corners or even powder rooms.

A small house can be a cozy space for a small family. The colour options available are endless, choosing the right colour combinations will ultimately be your choice but the suggestions and tips above will be great starting points.

Do you have any décor suggestions for smaller rooms or homes? What colours did you use and why?