Alter the Size of a Room… With Paint!

Paint can do way more than just add color to your walls. As a matter of fact, paint can actually alter the size of a room if it is used correctly. Strategically placing paint on different walls in a room can make it feel (and look) larger, smaller, wider, narrower, longer, or even shorter. These tips from MacFarland Painting pros will show you just how to alter the size of any room in your home… with paint!

Make a Small Room Seem Larger

Paint Everything Light.

Using the same light color paint on the walls and ceiling will naturally draw the human eye upward, making the ceiling appear higher and the room larger. 

Paint the Walls Light and the Trim Lighter.

Another idea for how to make a small room feel brighter with paint is to color the trim and moldings in a lighter color than your walls. This will make your walls appear farther back, making your space feel larger.

Use Light Colors.

Make a Large Room Cozier

Paint Everything Dark.

Paint ALL of the walls (and the ceiling) dark. This creates a cave effect that is perfect for rooms where you want to minimize light.

Paint the Ceiling Dark.

Painting the ceiling of a tall room a darker color than the walls will make a room seem less tall. When painted dark, a high ceiling can transform a room into an intimate retreat.

Two-Tone Walls.

You do not need to paint the entire wall. Painting color only halfway up your walls will create a cozy feeling in any room. This also tricks the human eye into thinking that the ceilings are lower than they actually are. Using wainscotting as a natural guide is an easy way to achieve this look.

Shorten the Room

Accent Walls.

Condense any room visually by painting the ceiling and three walls white. A darker-colored accent wall will shorten a long room while adding a pop of color and character.

Elongate the Room

Strategic Color Placement.

Paint the ceiling and one wall dark, and all the other walls light. The lighter walls will expand the room out, while the eye will follow the long line created by the darker walls. Remember, painting just the far wall an accent color will shorten the space, so do not forget about the ceiling!

Highlight a Wall

Reverse Accent Wall.

We are all familiar with accent walls, well, highlighting a wall is an accent wall in reverse. Rather than paint one wall bold, paint it light and paint the rest (including the ceiling) dark. Doing this makes the one white wall pop. This is great for rooms where you want to feature a piece of dramatic artwork or ones where you want to put all the attention on the furniture arrangement.