Painting small spaces
Small spaces hold as much potential as larger spaces – generally the colours we choose to paint them are very important for the final effect.
It is important to take into account a basic rule, necessary so that you achieve a harmonious result - the 60-30-10 rule. This is about using the main colour in 60% of the space (usually the walls), which in this case I recommend is in the range of light colours. Then 30% will have the secondary colour (for example, in large pieces of furniture, such as a rug or sofa), and lastly 10% will have the accent colour, usually a bit more vibrant than the 30% colour – this would be used in small accessories such as paintings, vases, cushions, etc.
WHY ARE LIGHT COLOURS IDEAL FOR SMALL SPACES?
Choosing light colours in small spaces broadens them, brings brightness, with the added benefit of being timeless. Light colours reflect light more and this makes the space acquire more volume and seem larger. Also, they do not limit your choices in the decorating process, something which can happen with intense colours. The light hues transmit more calmness and relaxation than intense and saturated ones.
HOW CAN I INCORPORATE INTENSE COLOURS IN SMALL SPACES?
If you would like to paint in a more intense colour, stick with the cooler colors such as blues, grays or greens. Warmer, brighter shades tend to make the space appear smaller.
Another option is to have just one wall in an intense colour with the others in a light shade or white. In these cases often it is good to put the intense colour behind the sofa or the headboard. Another option is to break a wall into two colours (horizontally) this can be good when the ceilings are very high, to avoid the tube effect that high and narrow rooms bring about.
WHAT COLOUR SHOULD I PAINT THE WALL ELEMENTS?
When painting skirting boards, light switches and all other elements in the same colour as the walls, the space will look brighter and you will avoid visual ‘jumps’.
Even though high skirting boards (over 100mm) are trendy at the moment, in small spaces it can be better to choose a low skirting board and harmonize it with the floor (either by using the same material as the floor, or painting a similar shade), the visual continuity makes the space appear bigger.
WHAT COLOUR SHOULD I PAINT DOOR FRAMES?
In small spaces, it is a good option to paint door frames the same colour as the walls, that way there will be continuity and the space will be visually bigger.
WHAT PAINT FINISH IS BETTER FOR SMALL SPACES?
The best paint finish is satin, because it reflects more light than matte finishes, and increases the perception of largeness. However, imperfections in wall will be more evident, so if choosing this option it is important that walls are extremely well prepared prior to painting.
HOW CAN CEILING COLOUR BE USED TO WIDEN A ROOM?
When selecting a ceiling colour you should take into account its height and whether you want to reduce the perceived height – to reduce the perceived height you can choose a darker colour for the ceiling and the floor. This will create the optical illusion of the walls being further away from you.
USING CEILING COLOUR TO GAIN VISUAL HEIGHT
If you paint the ceiling in a much lighter shade than the one used for the walls, it will visually appear further away from the floor. This way, it will feel higher, and you will also gain a feeling of spaciousness.
WHAT ABOUT VERY LONG AND NARROW ROOMS?
If the room is very long and narrow, you can paint the back wall in a dark warm colour and the rest of the walls in a softer shade of the same range. This way, you will create the effect of the back wall being closer and this will make the room appear more square.
IS UNIFYING THE WALLS AND THE CEILING A GOOD IDEA?
In small spaces and where there are no concerns with the ceilings being disproportionately high, opting for unifying the walls and the ceiling by painting them the same light colour is a good option. This makes the borders of the room dissolve and you can visually a gain a feeling of spaciousness.