1. EARTHY PINKS
Thanks, perhaps, to its ability to act as a neutral, earthy pink can be a great way to enhance a space. It's calming but still bright, and there's no sign of it slowing down as a key color trend.
2. OFF-WHITES
Okay, so no surprises here – but crucially, the type of white you use can make a huge difference to the feel of your space. ‘A light wall color will allow the natural light to move around the space, creating the illusion that the space is larger,’ says Tanya Peters and Renee Struthers of interior design studio Ola Hiraeth. ‘But it’s not always a one size fits all solution. Depending on the shape of the room, the presence or absence of natural light and the direction the windows are facing, the design strategy will differ.'
3. MID NEUTRALS
If an all-white room feels a little stark for your tastes, try stepping it up with mid-toned neutrals – which can pick up hints of your favorite accent colors, too. These shades work particularly well when they're used all over.
4. RICH HUES
A neutral color scheme isn't for everyone, and for those who prefer a bolder look, you can still integrate color into a small, dark room – the key is to choose rich shades. ‘I would always suggest rich colors with the luminosity that comes from a full spectrum paint since they don't contain black, which can often dull or over-saturate color,’ says Philippa Radon, C2 Paint's color and design specialist. ‘Richer hues make more of an embracing statement that draws your eye to the color and feeling of the room rather than the size.
WHAT COLORS SHOULD YOU AVOID?
Happily, there are very few colors that won't work to make a room feel bigger and brighter, providing you use them correctly. ‘Don’t avoid any colors,’ says Irenie Cossey. ‘The challenge is where you use them and what other influences, materials and textures are in the room. It’s really fun to test colors in a new environment. If you want a small space to feel bigger, use lighter colors – but small spaces respond equally well to dark colors, which create intimacy.'
HOW CAN YOU USE COLOR TO MAKE A ROOM FEEL BIGGER AND BRIGHTER?
As well as working out what colors make a room feel bigger and brighter, you also need to consider how you use paint for the best results. ‘In a period property, look at the dado, picture rail and coving as areas to stop, start and highlight tones and shades,’ says Lisa Mettis.
WHAT COLORS SHOULD YOU USE FOR SMALL KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS?
'With the cabinetry and different lines of a kitchen, there are a lot of things going on and a lot of decoration – therefore you should keep colors to a minimum, or to a light scale,' says Tara Bolden. 'All those little details throw shadows, and if you already got a dark tone, those shadows will also show even darker. It’ll just look super busy.'
WHAT COLOR SHOULD YOU PAINT A SMALL ENTRYWAY?
As one of the smallest and often darkest parts of the home – but with a heavy footfall – hallway paint ideas needs to be brightening, space-boosting and practical. ‘Tones of white will obviously be a suitable color for a bright hallway and can look super stylish – especially if you think about painting woodwork something like a pale gray to give definition,’ says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown. ‘Bring in areas of a pale color that will reflect the available light – this could be in stripes or a series of checks or squares. Try using a metallic paint as a paint effect over a matt emulsion to add shine and reflection and bring a space to life.’