Is your bedroom so huge that it somehow always feels colder and uncomfortable? Maybe you’re done with furnishing and even the humongous pieces of furniture don’t do justice to your space? Well, I know that you are craving for a cozy and cohesive space and this is when DARK and WARMER paint colors come into use! Yes, paint colors have a major role to play when it comes to making your room look smaller and more intimate!
But how is that possible?
Well, DARK paint colors make your walls seem to come closer while giving a bold and daring backdrop!
If you paint a dark paint color on the walls, all the corners seem to come together and create an illusion of the size becoming smaller than it actually is!
Let’s discuss how to make your room look smaller using paint colors…
First and Foremost, consider the…
How To Make a Room Look Smaller?
Darker Colors: Help in Making the Room look Smaller
Did you check out my latest post about Light Reflectance Values? If you didn’t, I would recommend you read that HERE!
So, basically, Light Reflectance Values or LRV’s are what help determine the darkness or lightness of the paint color.
The lower the value, the darker the paint color is!
And since the paint colors with low LRV’s absorb most of the light received, they tend to look darker!
If you have amazingly huge areas, I recommend painting all the walls, trims, and ceiling in a darker color, so the space looks smaller!
Or else, just simply paint the focal wall in dark paint color and your space will automatically look cozier and smaller!
Warmer Colors: Help in Making the Room look Smaller
Warmer colors too have proved to add a touch of coziness and comfort to a space. Warmer colors are all those with red, orange, pink, beige, cream, or yellow undertones.
So, if you blend the darker paint colors with warmer tones – you give your walls a double mix of coziness and comfort.
Let’s see the best dark and warm paint colors you could choose to make your space feel smaller.
Sherwin Williams Dark Paint Colors
Consider paint colors with LRV’s lower than 25! If choosing a monochromatic scheme or painting all the walls in a darker shade, choose paint colors with LRV’s between 25 to 50!
- Rosemary SW 6187
- Waterloo SW 9141
- Outerspace SW 6251
- Cityscape SW 7067
- Urbane Bronze SW 7048
- Tricorn Black SW 6258
Of course, there are tons of other dark paint colors, but this list is here to give you an idea of the tonality and saturation of the paint colors! Some of these are cool-toned dark paints as well – so don’t worry! As far as the paint has a low LRV – you’re good!
Benjamin Moore Dark Paint Colors: Make a Room Look Smaller
- Newport Green 2050-30
- Baby Seal Black 2119-30
- Mohegan Sage 2138-30
- Southern Vine 2138-10
- Auberge 2106-20
- Black HC-190
And the list goes on and on…
The dark paint colors could absolutely have any undertones – cool or warm – just make sure to pair them against the best neutrals and off-whites!
Now, let’s look at some of the warmer paint colors. They could either be dark or light – but a given is their undertones! So, some of the warmer paint colors include shades of beige, taupes, greiges, browns, and reds.
Due to their warmth, the space is bound to feel much united and enclosed (and that’s what you want, right?)
Also, I am specifying a few examples of warm paint colors to give you an idea, but the list really is endless and not just limited to these.
Sherwin Williams Warm Paint Colors
- Mocha SW 6067
- Double Latte SW 9108
- Baked Cookie SW 9098
- Chatura Gray SW 9169
- Foothills SW 7514
- Bittersweet Stem SW 7536
You can always create drama in your space by using the shades of the same color to create a monochromatic and enclosed space (which BTW is a classic way of making your room look smaller)!
Trust me, there are many ways to make your room look smaller apart from using a singular dark or warm shade!
Let’s have a look at Benjamin Moore’s collection!
Benjamin Moore Warm Paint Colors: Make a Room Look Smaller
- Latte 2163-60 (We have got latte’s everywhere! Do you like them too?)
- Serengeti Sand 2164-40
- Desert Camel 2162-10
- Rich Cream 2153-60
- Yellow Squash 2161-50
- Grant Beige HC-83
So, don’t hold back from using tons of browns, blacks, dark purples, taupes, greiges, beiges, and the list goes on and on!
Well, it is not just the warm colors that make a good pair with the dark colors – you could also use cool paint colors like greys and deep blues and greens to create a perfect daring outlook.
Another tip and trick to make your room look smaller are to use many colors in your room! Basically, have a neutral, a base, and several other accents that will create an overwhelming experience!
Sometimes, you also need to consider the interior décor elements and decorative accents to make your space look smaller!
Final Word
So, are you excited to play with darker paints this time? Don’t be scared – just follow the basic principles and undertones and you should be GOOD! Analyzing the size and scale is important too – so make sure that you’re not suffocating yourselves and your rooms!
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 smaller and intimate!
Benjamin Moore Best Paint Color List E-Design Paint Color Consultation Sherwin Williams
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