by Dara Solomon

How to Pick a Paint Color or Decorating for Small Spaces

Do you have a half bathroom or home office that you just can't seem to find the right paint for? Decorating as a whole can sometimes be a challenge, but it can be particularly frustrating when you have to decorate a small space. Any problems, like paint color, that may occur in a large space are intensified dramatically when the walls start to get closer. There are a lot of things to consider to set the right mood and appeal in a small space without making it feel tight and uncomfortable, but luckily, there are some ground rules you can follow to make the selection a bit easier.

First, and most importantly, never use a dark color in a small space. This may seem a bit extreme, but no matter what dark color you choose, it's going to make your room look even smaller than it already is. Of course, if small is what you're going for, then go right ahead. Most of the time though, cramped is not ideal. Thus black, dark blue, burgundy, etc. will all weigh down the walls of a room and make the whole space feel more like a cave than an enjoyable place to be.

Obviously, if you can't choose dark colors, you're going to want to pick a light paint color, but you still have to pick which one. You'll want to look for something that has a bit of reflective quality, like pale yellow, peach, or sand that will pick up on any of the light that you use in the room. The more light the paint picks up, the brighter the room will be overall. If you can illuminate the room, you'll completely remove that "cave" feel, and you can greatly open the space. Try getting a high gloss version of your paint color to give it even more shine and reflectivity.

You may want to consider using two different paint colors to add some stripes to the space. Vertical stripes will help your room feel taller, while horizontal stripes will make it look wider. You just have to figure out which dimension your room is lacking. If you use both horizontal and vertical stripes in the room together though, you'll actually create confusion. This will make the room feel smaller and less approachable. Choose two paint colors that are similar, maybe only two shades or so apart. This will take the attention away from walls so people can focus on the space as a whole. If you pick two contrasting colors, people will stare at the walls and realize how close they are to each other. Draw their eyes to something else.

No matter what color you choose, be sure that it is selected for a reason. Try pulling colors from your favorite knick knack or piece of wall décor so that you can enhance all the other aspects of the room. If you're repainting the room just for resale purposes, go with a neutral color that will appeal to a wide range of buyers. As long as you think hard about why you need a certain color, you can turn a small room into a large space with just a few coats.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of sites to go to, to ask for guidance or opinions. One I particularly like is TLC's site (yup the TV station)  "Home Decorating Tips". For personalized, human advice try advice sites with specific "Home" sections, like FunAdvice's Home & Garden section.

Between these tips and resources, you'll have your small room cozy and decorated jusstttt right, in just a few hours.

About the Author

Dara Solomon is a 26-year-old with a passion for writing. Since the age of 6, she's written stories for family members and friends. (First piece of work? "Mr. Mops the dog lost his biscuit" (circa 1990). Currently, she lives in Durham, NC with her fiance and furbabies and writes articles on virtually every subject, mostly just for fun!