Not everyone has the privilege of living in a spacious house or apartment. Some of us have to make do with what we can afford, square meters-wise. Fortunately, there are ways to make our otherwise limited space look bigger than it actually is. One such trick is being mindful of the colors we use.
Yes, colors can create a semblance of spatial luxury—just as they can make any area look cloyingly small. That's why you must be extra careful when choosing what palettes to introduce to your walls, ceilings, doors, etc.
Now, let's make every home cozy! Here's a guide to help you decide which shades work best with your available space.
Small Space-Friendly Colors
Not all colors are created equal. Some will make your small space appear even smaller. Avoid those colors, and choose the following instead.
Stark white
In fashion, it's said that wearing an all-white ensemble makes one's body look heftier. It's the opposite of the slimming black. The same principle applies to interior design. Dress your space in stark white, and expect it to expand like an optical illusion.
The best part is white caters to all design temperaments. Whether your preferred aesthetic is Victorian with all its classiness or modern with all its edginess, rest assured that white will look and feel at home with the whole vision.
Off-white
If stark white gives you hospital vibes you don't want because you'd rather go chill in your living room, the next best alternative is off-white. It's still white but a little off—you get the picture. You can accentuate this primary palette with brighter hues to make your living space more inviting and homey.
Soft black
This recommendation might sound counterintuitive after pointing out the first two small space-friendly colors but wait for the why behind this tip.
Light colors work best if there's an abundant supply of natural lighting. For spaces that lack windows or any access to sunlight, black would be a clever choice. It gives a sense of luxury to any given area. That is so long as it's the kind of black that's soft. Yes, black can be soft, too.
Dark gray
This color is for those who find it difficult to decide between white and black. If you're not sure whether you want to go to the light or dark, find the middle ground. In this case, that's gray. Gray lends a nice twist against the more common colors like simple beige.
This palette gives any room a clean and crisp feel. It's minimalistic and elegant, making your room seem like a small person with a really excellent posture.
Light taupe
If you make it a habit to look forward to the Pantone color of the year, chances are you've encountered this color before. If not, do not fret. Think of taupe as white but with more warmth. Stark white might have that clinical feel to it. Light taupe always exudes a bright aura. Plus, it's classy and stylish.
Pale blues
It always feels soothing when you're on the beach looking at the ocean's light shades of blue. It's like you're in the presence of something great and inexhaustible.
You can transplant that sense of calm and grandeur to your humble abode by painting its interior in pale blues. This palette is most suitable for bedrooms where you want to be as relaxed as you can be.
Blush pink
This color is another happy tone that will consequently make your small space feel larger than it is. You may accent blush pink with a variety of colors, including beige and ivory. If you're worried about the color making your space too feminine, create balance with more masculine accent pieces.
Other Color-Adjacent Tips
Aside from choosing the right colors, using other design preferences that align with color science is just as vital. Mind the following tips.
Paint the entire room
When visually expanding a limited space, it's best to paint the entire room with the same colors, even the ceiling, woodwork, and doors. This sense of uniformity creates a flowy feel and eliminates optical borders and obstructions.
Maximize natural lighting
There's nothing like the generosity of the sun to make any space look larger and livelier, especially if in tandem with clever color choices.
If you can, don't deprive yourself of a skylight. However, if that is out of the question, at least have cleverly positioned windows. Here, clever means they maximize sunshine in such a way that your space always looks radiantly copious.
Light up well
Those without access to natural lighting can rely on artificial lighting. A good rule of thumb is to incorporate a few lighting sources scattered around the room instead of placing one bright bulb overhead. The former expands the space visually, whereas the latter limits it.
Get minimal
If yours is a small space, you can't go wrong with incorporating Japanese interior design principles. When it comes to how the Japanese do interior design, less is always more. Plus, less will work splendidly well with your modest but stylish color scheme.
Be smart with the furniture
First and foremost, make sure the furniture pieces you introduce to a small space complement the room's color scheme.
Also, mind the proportion. If you stuff a small space with oversized furniture, you make the room look and feel smaller. Meanwhile, if you get modest with size, you maximize the square meters at your disposal.
Wrapping It Up
When it comes to interior design, the introduction of colors is not just done to create a vibe or establish an aesthetic. It's also for more utilitarian purposes, such as to make a small area look more prominent.
Choosing the right palette or color combination, such as the ones mentioned above, can work wonders in an otherwise limited space. On top of that, it's worth noting that colors can affect your mood and level of productivity. Choose colors wisely if you want to feel and be your best self at home.
