This article is dedicated to discussing the best paint colors that make a space look larger. I have personally handpicked 10 Best Sherwin Williams paint colors that will make your space look larger and airier. These lighter-toned paint colors will enhance your space and make any dull space feel lively. So, do you have a room that feels congested and small that you literally feel choked as soon as you enter? Or maybe the space is so dull and dingy that you literally don’t feel like going home at all? Also, do you have enough windows and ample natural light pouring in?
If none of the above applies to you, you might need a color dose here! A COLOR DOSE that makes your space feel refreshed, lively, and most importantly SPACIOUS and BIGGER! This is a MAGIC that Colors play! Well, paint colors can make your space feel smaller, bigger, elongated, and shorter as you desire! But here, I will discuss more about how to make your rooms look bigger just by using paints! Now let me spill out ways to incorporate some paints to help brighten your rooms. First and foremost, consider the bigger picture!
Paint Colors That Make a Space Look Larger
Lighter Colors
As we discussed in the previous post about Light Reflectance Values or LRV’s, remember, the more the value, the lighter the paint color! Hence, I would highly recommend using paint colors with high LRVs to make your space feel airy and bright. Since these paints reflect more natural light, they will tend to ‘open up’ your spaces and trigger a better flow of air.
Another tip and trick to make a room look bigger is through painting all your walls, ceilings, and trims in the same color. Or else, you can simply use a light neutral and pastel on the walls and comparatively, a stark white paint on the ceilings and trims. Consider LRV’s greater than 75. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to consider!
- Avoid lighter-toned colors with a brown undertone since they can appear slightly muddy!
- Avoid medium off-white creamy paint colors due to their yellow undertones
- Avoid lighter colors with a red or orange undertone since they can overwhelm the space and make it feel smaller
- You may choose lighter-toned colors with pink or violet undertones
- Lighter off-whites with a creamy base can work
Cooler Colors: Paint Colors That Make A Space Look Larger
Cool colors are quite mysterious and have proved to create an illusion of brightening the space. So, these cool colors are basically more inclined towards the tones of blues, greens, purples, and grays that also have a slightly crisp texture that helps push back your walls! These cooler colors must have an LRV greater than 75 as well! Here are a few do’s and don’ts to consider!
- Choose crisper paint colors that have more ‘chroma’ than gray as usual.
- With a purple, periwinkle, or violet undertone – choose a paint color with a higher LRV
- Prefer off-whites with a blue, green, gray, or violet/purple undertone
- Warmer colors with a non-yellow base can work too!
- Lighter Greige colors with an LRV above 65 are good to go
Let’s see the 12 best Sherwin Williams light and cool paint colors you could choose to make your room feel larger, brighter, and airier!
12 Sherwin Williams Paint Colors That Make A Space Feel Bigger
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Sherwin Williams Extra White
Sherwin Williams Extra White is a bright and refreshing, cool and crisp white paint color with just a touch of blue undertones. The high reflectivity of this paint color makes it a perfect choice for the ceiling and trims of any space. With an LRV of 86, this clean white color is definitely a brilliant way to make your space look larger, airier, and brighter.
So, whether you have a space with little incoming natural light or a tiny square footage – this bright white paint color by Sherwin Williams is definitely something to have an eye on.
Check out my FULL Paint Color Review Here – Sherwin Williams Extra White!
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Sherwin Williams Snowbound
Sherwin Williams Snowbound is a gray-based off-white paint color that doesn’t feel icy and cold. Hence, if you’re looking for a lighter-toned paint color that doesn’t feel very cool – SW Snowbound is definitely something to check out! This Sherwin Williams white paint color will brighten up the dull and dingy corners without making the space look crisp and chilly.
Moreover, this is quite a versatile paint color and can easily pair with a ton of hardware finishes, textures, and architectural elements. Under certain lighting conditions, Snowbound can showcase a tinge of pink undertones! It has an LRV of 83 – hence, not as bright as SW Extra White.
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Sherwin Williams First Star
Sherwin Williams First Star is an off-white paint color with a notable gray undertone. This color has an LRV of 69 – hence, not as bright as the above-mentioned white paint colors and not too dark. Especially for medium-sized rooms, this color will hold the undertone pretty well while making your space look larger, airier, and brighter! With ample incoming natural light – this color will look just so flawless!
This is a fresh and clean off-white paint color that can also be used as a ‘whole house color scheme’. However, if you’re somehow looking to sell your home in the future – this color may not be the best option.
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Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist
Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist is a versatile and timeless gray paint color with a considerable depth to it. So, if you’re not particularly fond of the white paint colors and would rather prefer a stronger hue to brighten your space – Drift of Mist is definitely something to watch out for! With an LRV of 69 – this isn’t a very light or dark paint color.
This color has passive warmth to it – hence, wouldn’t feel too icy or cold in any compass direction. When substituted with additional natural light – this color can definitely prove to be flawless.
Check out my FULL Paint Color Review Here – Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist!
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Sherwin Williams Heron Plume
Sherwin Williams Heron Plume is an off-white paint color with a subtle and soothing, warm gray base. With a major inclination for gray than beige, this off-white paint color will readily make your space look larger and airier. It has an LRV of 75 – hence, can create the slightest contrast with a clean white paint on the trims and ceiling.
Under certain lighting conditions – Sherwin Williams Heron plume can exhibit a cool violet undertone. Although, not very dominant though! This is definitely a neutral to slightly warm-based, off-white paint color without a creamy base or a yellow undertone.
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Sherwin Williams White Snow
Sherwin Williams White Snow is a clean and crisp, bright white paint color with an LRV of 90. Hence, one of the brightest white paint colors on this list! (Definitely not the brightest white paint color by Sherwin Williams which is High Reflective White with an LRV of 93). So, if you’re not looking for an ‘institutional’ type look and rather prefer a soft and bright white paint color – this is definitely something to have an eye on!
Sherwin Williams White Snow will illuminate the darkest corners of your home and simply work well for any compass direction as well! You can choose to pair it with a darker color as an accent to further create a sense of illusion.
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Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt is a calming, soothing, and subtle green-gray paint color that can perfectly work for any coastal and beach house set up. This is a cool and refreshing paint color that can create an illusion of a larger space and make your space feel airier and brighter.
Since it also has an LRV of 63, this is definitely quite a light-toned paint color. Hence, also ideal for any west or south-facing small room. It can also pair well with your white oak hardwood and further illuminate the space.
Check out my FULL Paint Color Review Here – Sherwin Williams Sea Salt!
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Sherwin Williams Topsail
Sherwin Williams Topsail is a bright, sky-blue pastel paint color that can instantly make your space feel light, airy, cool, chilly, calm, and rejuvenated. It’s a cool-toned soft blue paint color that can create an illusion of a larger space and push away your room’s walls. Hence, quite recommended for the south-facing and west-facing rooms.
Topsail by Sherwin Williams has an LRV of 75 – hence, falling on the very lighter end of the scale. Whether it’s the kids’ bedroom, play area, or nursery – this color will definitely never disappoint you! Also, if your room receives little incoming light – this paint color will yet again make it feel calmer and wider.
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Sherwin Williams Liveable Green
When looking for the best green paint colors to make your space look larger and airier – you simply can’t miss Sherwin Williams Liveable Green. This is a slightly warmer green paint color with a touch of sage green and yellow undertones. Now, SW Liveable Green also has an LRV of 61 – hence, falling on the lighter end of the scale.
This color tends to reflect the natural light and make the space feel warmer and larger. Especially for colder regions, this color will definitely play a phenomenal role in the north and east-facing rooms. Although, this color may look slightly dull if the square footage is less!
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Sherwin Williams Polite White
Sherwin Williams Polite White is an off-white paint color with a dominant pink and peach undertone. Especially for a baby daughter’s room or play area – this color will play a wonderful role in making the space look large, airy, inviting, and yet cozy. This is definitely a cool-toned, light pink pastel paint color that will create an illusion of a larger space.
SW Polite White has an LRV of 74 – hence, falling on the lighter end of the scale. So, if you’re particularly fond of the pink and peach tones (or blush pastels) – this color is definitely something to have an eye on!
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Sherwin Williams Marshmallow
Sherwin Williams Marshmallow is a soft off-white paint color that isn’t too warm or cool. With a perfect balance, SW Marshmallow has a cozy appeal with the slightest touch of a pink undertone. Ideal for any compass direction, this paint color will readily make your space look airier, larger, and brighter.
This color has an LRV of 82 – hence, falling on the brighter and lighter end of the scale. It will work beautifully with white oak flooring, pampas grass, and ample accents of pink to go! Moreover, you can also use this color in a space with little incoming natural light.
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Sherwin Williams White Flour
Sherwin Williams White Flour is a warm, clean white paint color with a touch of warmth and the slightest yellow undertone. Yes, this warm paint color would be an exception since it’s already bright and has a very high LRV. So, if you’re looking to make a room feel larger with the help of a warm off-white – SW White Flour would do wonders!
Under certain lighting conditions, this color will also come off creamy or slightly yellow/beige!
Can I Use a Dark Paint to Make the Room Look Bigger and Lighter?
Of course, YES! As far as we limit the use of that dark paint! So, mainly, just paint an accent wall in navy blue, charcoal, or any darker shade and let the rest of the walls in lighter paint color with LRVs greater than 75 and trust me, you’re GOOD to go!
I personally LOVE Accent Walls!
Whether you paint the focal wall of the living room or the bedroom and hallways in darker, contrasting paint – your space will still look lighter and brighter – for sure! Furthermore, this accent dark paint also adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to your room! Here’s a list of dark colors that will make your room feel bigger!
- Sherwin Williams Iron Ore
- Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze
- Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme
- Sherwin Williams Mount Etna
- Sherwin Williams Cityscape
- Sherwin Williams In the Navy
Final Word – Paint Colors that Make a Space Look Larger
So, all the city dwellers – are you confident about painting your homes in lighter colors to make them lively and bright? Now that you know what kinds, undertones, and LRVs to consider – I am sure you aren’t much far from your dream and joyful home!
Let me know your experiences in the comments below or have a look at my interior decoration and color consulting packages so we can get one-on-one and discuss how to make your space look bigger and brighter!
Benjamin Moore Best Paint Color List Paint Color Consultation Sherwin Williams
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