One of the best ways to make a room look bigger is with paint. Choosing the right paint color can help a space appear larger than it actually is.

If you are living in a small space, or own a business that is in a small space, you may be wondering what paint colors can make a room look bigger. Different color schemes can help create the illusion that a space is bigger than it actually is.

The paint color you choose can have a huge impact on how big or small a room feels. In addition, paint can change the overall vibe and aesthetics of a room, making a room feel bigger or smaller depending on the paint colors.

We’ve rounded up our top picks of colors to help you make your spaces feel larger. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to freshen up a room and can completely change your perception of a space.

Although light colors are often used to make a space look bigger, if used correctly, dark colors can achieve the same effect. In order to find the best paint color for the space, consider the focal points and contours of the room, as well as how much natural light the space gets.

What paint colors make a room look bigger?

Below are our top seven picks of the best colors for small rooms.

1. Pale blues and light greens

Pale blues and light greens will make a space feel very open and bright, adding a quality of lightness to a space. Their ability to make rooms feel more open and light allows a space to feel much bigger than it actually is. 

2. White

White is one of the most obvious colors to choose in order to make a room appear larger. Stark white, off-white, any form fo white can be a great way to make a room look bigger.

White is best used in south-facing rooms. Consider using paint with an eggshell or satin finish to help further reflect light, which makes a room feel even larger.

3. Soft black

Soft blacks and dark charcoal grays may seem like an odd choice for making a room appear larger. But, when used in the right spaces - those with very little to no natural light - soft blacks and dark grays can actually make a room feel bigger.

Colors this dark are best kept to north-facing rooms. Stay away from super light colors and white paint colors in rooms with almost no natural light, these lighter colors can actually highlight how small the room is instead of making it appear larger.

4. Light taupe

Light taupe is another great paint color option if you are trying to make a space feel bigger. Taupe is a beautiful neutral tone that can be used in similar ways to white paint. The color is light enough to reflect light, but is much warmer than traditional white hues. 

5. Blush pink

Soft shades of pink can help to brighten up small rooms, allowing them to appear bigger and brighter. Blush is best used in west-facing rooms, as the color looks beautiful during sunset. Soft hues of pink work well in rooms that receive a good amount of natural light and are complemented by neutral tones such as sand, ivory and beige.

6. Dark navy

Dark blues and navys are another great color to make rooms that receive little natural light feel bigger. Dark blue is a statement color that can be very transformative in small rooms.

7. Cool gray

Cool grays are another great alternative to white. Light grays can help a room feel fresh and bright, without the harshness that white may elicit. In addition, this color allows light to bounce from wall to wall, creating the illusion of a larger space.

Are there other ways to make a room look bigger with just paint?

There are a few other ways you can use paint to make a room appear larger.

1. Accent walls

One of the easiest ways to use paint to make a room look bigger is to paint an accent wall. They create a focal area to the room, drawing your eye in. When used correctly, they can create contrast and interest, making a room look much larger than it actually is,

You can either paint one accent wall, or paint two walls a darker shade and two walls a lighter shade in the same color family. Keep lighter colors on the shorter walls of the room and use the longer walls as the accent wall.

2. Painted ceilings

Painting the ceiling of your room can make your room look bigger by making the room appear taller. In a small room, using a light color can help add additional height to the space, therefore making it appear larger.

In Summary

There are a lot of ways to make small rooms look and feel much larger than they actually are - in fact, one of the best ways to do this is with a coat of paint. If you are looking to repaint your home or business, consider reaching out to a commercial painting service to get the job done.

Keep in mind that paint colors should be chosen based on the space and should take into consideration the natural light and contours of the room. Simple color palettes are a good way to brighten up a space and make it appear larger.