As a painting professional in Temecula, one of the most frequent questions I receive is, “Will this color make my room look bigger?” In fact, for several decades now, that’s been a recurring concern among homeowners. They must choose between the colors they want and those that will magically make a room bigger.
First, the bad news; it’s simply painting, and no color will grant you additional square footage. The good news is, unless you’re trying to sell your home, there’s no real reason to make your room appear larger. If you’re still not convinced and you’re trying to force the perspective of your rooms, there are a few things you choose to do.
Use Off-White Paint
Off-white is a widely used wall color choice, especially in new construction. You can use off-white in two ways; paint everything off-white or just the trip. Painting everything off white gives your home an “open” and bright feeling. By just painting the trim white you can make that bold wall color pop. The contrasting colors will create an illusion that the room has expanded.
Paint the Ceiling
It always makes me chuckle when I suggest to a homeowner that they paint their ceiling. Many people don’t know that it’s “allowed” because, to be fair, almost every home ceiling you see is white. Popcorn ceilings especially tend to retain their white color. However, your ceilings are just another wall, except it hangs overhead. When you paint your ceilings, you take attention away from the room. People’s eyes become directed away, making the room feel larger.
The Brighter, the Better
Perception is a funny thing. Darker paint colors can make a room feel smaller and constricted, while a brighter color will make it appear larger. As a local Temecula painter, I always advise homeowners to save the darker colors – red, dark blues, blacks, etc. – for areas such as the dining room. This will help create a more intimate setting. Conversely, bedrooms can benefit from brighter colors to make them feel larger. Even if your favorite color is darker, you can typically find a lighter shade or have your paint store try to match it by lightening it up with a little white.
Contrast Your Colors
If you have furniture or other items in a room with bright colors, you can keep the attention on them by keeping the room’s paint luminous and subdued. For instance, leaving the walls white will keep the attention focused on the room’s contents rather than the walls. This can be combined with other techniques, such as hanging mirrors or keeping items away from the wall and angled in the center of the room.
Whether you’re trying to expand the look of your room or need great-quality painting, we are here for you! Contact Wall Works today to schedule your free estimate. We are your go to painting and drywall company in the Temecula Valley. You don’t have to take our word for it, please read our reviews on Yelp and Google.
