Best Paint Colours for Small Rooms: Make Spaces Feel Bigger
Small rooms can feel much larger with the right paint colours. Discover which colours and techniques make compact spaces feel spacious.
Making Small Rooms Feel Bigger
Colour has an incredible effect on how we perceive space. The right paint colour can make a small room feel significantly larger and more inviting. Here’s what works.
Light, Warm Neutrals
Light, warm neutrals are the safest choice for small rooms. They reflect more light, making the space feel open and airy without feeling cold. Think warm whites, soft creams, and gentle beiges.
Try: Dulux Trade White Cotton, Dulux Trade Natural Calico, Dulux Trade Almond White
Soft Cool Tones
Pale blues and light greens can create a sense of depth and openness. These colours recede visually, making walls seem further away.
Try: Dulux Trade Mineral Mist, Dulux Trade Jade White, Dulux Trade First Dawn
The Bold Approach
Here’s a counterintuitive trick: sometimes going very dark in a small room actually works beautifully. A deep, rich colour can blur the boundaries of the room, creating a cosy, sophisticated feel. This works especially well in bedrooms and dining rooms.
Try: Dulux Trade Sapphire Salute, Dulux Trade Night Jewels
Tips for Small Rooms
- Paint the ceiling the same colour as the walls to blur the boundary and create the illusion of height
- Use a matt finish — the lack of reflection creates a more uniform appearance
- Keep colour consistent — using the same colour throughout a small space reduces visual clutter
- Consider the light — north-facing rooms benefit from warm tones, south-facing rooms can handle cooler shades
- Always test first — colours look different in small spaces. Buy a tester pot and paint a large patch on two walls to see how it looks in your light
Colours to Avoid
Very bright, saturated colours (like vivid orange or bright yellow) can feel overwhelming in small spaces. Similarly, very dark warm colours (deep reds, dark browns) can make a small room feel cave-like unless that’s the effect you want.
Need Help Choosing?
We’re happy to share colour suggestions during your free site visit. We see the results of hundreds of colour choices and know what works well in different rooms and lighting conditions.