Welcome to our Painting 101 series, where we tap the pros to answer your burning questions about paint colors, finishes, and applications. If you have any other questions about decorating, reach out to us here.  

By Anne Vorrasi
Aug 31, 2016 @ 5:00 pm
Grey Crawford

Whether you live in a shoebox in the city or a stately suburban home, you have probably all asked yourself at one point or another, “Which paint colors will make a room feel bigger?” The safe answer we all gravitate towards is white, but that neutral hue is not for everyone. Luckily, there are some tricks you can use to make a room feel more expansive, no matter what pigment you favor. Here are three ways to achieve the effect. 


“The easiest way to make a room feel larger is to paint everything (the walls and trim) the same color,” advises N.Y.C. color consultant Eve Ashcraft, who is hired by her residential and commercial clients for her color coding expertise. “By doing this you reduce the visual stimulation that occurs when your eyes discern a color change, and this reduction creates a sense of spaciousness.” 


When in doubt, choose white. “White is a classic choice because it reflects and maximizes any natural light flowing in, making a room visually seem larger. Plus it provides a vast neutral canvas for any colors you choose to add,” explains Australian decorator Greg Natale. “Conversely though, a dark shade, such as a charcoal gray, can add a remarkable amount of depth to the space,” he says. “As long as you have enough natural light in the first place to balance it.” 


If you’re adamant about accenting the trim, you can apply a light shade to the walls and then go slightly darker on the trim, says Joa Studholme, color expert at English paint company Farrow & Ball. “This will make the room feel bigger because you’ve got the lightest color on the biggest surface area.” Do not do the opposite though. Painting a strong color on the walls and a light color on the trim will instantly shrink the room, she warns.