A DIY expert claims a £5 tin of paint can make a small room feel larger without costly renovations. Bill Jarvis, Co-Founder of patio paint supplier Premium Paints, says the way paint is used, both in colour choice and application, can dramatically affect how spacious a room feels.
The £5 paint method
Jarvis describes the trick as one of the "easiest ways" to make a smaller room feel less claustrophobic. "People often think you need to completely change a room to make it feel bigger, but paint can actually do a lot more than you might think," he says. "Lighter colours help bounce light around the room, which can make the whole thing feel brighter and more open."
He adds that homeowners do not have to opt for plain white. "You can still have colour, just try sticking to softer, lighter shades if you want the room to feel more spacious," he says. "It is really about making the most of the light you already have rather than trying to physically create more space."
Where to apply the paint
The trick is not simply about selecting a pale shade and applying it to every wall. Where the paint is applied can make just as much of a difference. Painting the walls, skirting boards and even the ceiling in comparable light tones can help the various elements of the room merge together, rather than creating stark lines that fragment the space.
Paint can also be used to make a low ceiling appear taller by keeping it lighter than the walls, while painting walls and ceilings in similar hues can help achieve a more seamless finish.
Tips for a more spacious feel
Jarvis recommends several approaches for making a room feel more spacious without breaking the bank: choosing lighter shades that reflect more natural light, keeping walls and skirting boards in similar colours, painting the ceiling a light shade to make it feel higher, avoiding too many contrasting colours in a small room, using an eggshell or satin finish where appropriate to help reflect light, and making the most of natural light by keeping windows and curtains clear.
"It does not have to turn into a massive decorating job," Jarvis adds. "Even just changing the colour can make a room feel noticeably bigger without having to do anything drastic."
He says one of the biggest misconceptions is that small rooms have to be painted bright white. "You definitely do not have to go for brilliant white if that is not your thing," he says. "Soft greens, warm off-whites, pale blues and other lighter shades can still give you some colour while keeping the room feeling open."
"Paint is not going to magically give you more floor space," the expert says. "But getting the colour and finish right can completely change how a room feels, and that can make a smaller space much more comfortable."
