Working with a small living room can be difficult, and not everyone has the budget to extend or knock through walls. With many homeowners choosing to work on their current space rather than move, there is a cost-effective way to make rooms look larger than they are. This involves using paint, according to an interior expert.
Lisa O’Hanlon, interior expert at The Shutter Store, said that colours have a “powerful effect” on the brain, with blues promoting calm and relaxation, and red making people feel more alert. It can also strongly affect the perception of a room’s size, and there are certain colours to use if you want to make a room “look bigger”.
1. White
White may seem simple and boring, but it’s great for making living rooms appear larger than they are. For some, brilliant white feels too basic or clinical, so off shades of white work well too. Lisa said: “White does not have to be dull. It is all in how you style the room around it. By adding colour through soft furnishings like rugs, carpets or curtains, it livens up the room whilst maintaining the brightening benefits of white walls.”
2. Pale Blue
Soft blue shades such as sky blue, baby blue and pastel blue all help make a small space “appear bigger”, according to the interior expert. She noted: “Whilst most options that give the illusion of more space tend to be paler neutrals, using soft shades of blue can give the same effect while also being a more intriguing design choice. Soft blues pair well with striking, warm colours. Rich and vibrant reds, shades of orange and soft pinks all complement the cool tones of pale blue nicely.”
3. Emerald Green
Deep green tones appear classy and timeless, and are often favoured by celebrities and interior experts. They can also add visual depth to the home, but only if it is used to colour-drench the room. This involves covering the trim and even the ceilings in this colour. Lisa added: “Accenting the room with lighter shades like champagne or a dusty pink will help complete the effect.”
4. Lavender
Lavender may seem like an unusual choice for walls, but it’s great for making rooms look bigger, according to the expert. Paired with hints of green, lavender is great if you have lots of houseplants in the living room. Lisa said: “With a growing number of people wanting to bring plants and other natural elements into the home, colours like lavender allow those shades of green to contrast against the walls, drawing people’s eyes straight to your collection. Similar to other lighter shades, lavender comes with the added benefit of creating an expansive feel.” It allows light to naturally reflect off the colour, creating the idea that there is more space than there really is.
5. Navy
Just like pale shades of blue, navy can have a calming effect on a room and add much-needed depth. It pairs well with white, adding a great contrast to the space, especially in a living room. It also pairs well with orange, dusty pinks and vibrant yellows.
Certain fence colours can also make gardens appear larger. This is great if you have a courtyard or a smaller outdoor space.
