How to Make a Room Look Bigger With Paint
The Paint
Sulfur Yellow, Behr
How You Can Use It
"The homeowners were a little wary about this intense yellow at first, but they ultimately agreed that it brought a real burst of energy to their home office. You can't be in a bad mood when you're in here!" — Jenna Sheingold, Jenna Sheingold Studio, Portland, OR
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"We were going for a bold look in this powder room. Black lends an inherent sophistication, sort of like the perfect black dress. As the color's name implies, the shade is faded, so it has a warmer effect than jet black." — Stefani Stein, Stefani Stein Inc., Los Angeles, CA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"A pass-through area leading to this home's backyard is a space that could have easily been forgotten, but painting the walls infused it with character. This peachy pink makes the area feel bigger and brighter." — Kerry Vasquez, Kerry Vasquez Design, Los Angeles, CA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Painting the outside of a clawfoot tub yellow-green, like I did in this bathroom for the Lido House Hotel in Newport Beach, CA, gave it an exciting pop. Next to the black-and-white floor, it has even more impact." — Rona Graf, Grace Blu Interior Design, Costa Mesa, CA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"My clients were divided when choosing a color for this living room. One liked the idea of a classic hue to match the style of the home, a center-hall Colonial, and the other wanted a fun, modern vibe. This dark orange is a nod to traditional red yet still unexpected—a perfect compromise." — Stephanie Rapp, Stephanie Rapp Interiors, Weston, CT
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Most of my house is painted white, so I decided to go moody in a couple of areas. The peacocks I saw on a trip to Morocco inspired me to use this vibrant blue. When the room was done, it looked so good that I cried!" — Lucy Penfield, Lucy Interior Design, Minneapolis, MN
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"A great green was my mission, per the 10-year-old boy whose room this is. Although putting that on all the walls would have been too much of a good thing, it's just right on the built-in bed and shelves." — Julie Howard, Timber Trails Development Company, Western Springs, IL
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Since this kitchen opens to a family room, I wanted to define the cooking space with color. I turned to my go-to: navy. It looks so chic next to brass accents and leather stools." — Trish Ireland, Trish Ireland Interiors, Cincinnati, OH
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"When we finished decorating this guest room, meant for the homeowner's grandchildren, she loved it so much, she wondered if we should turn it into the master bedroom. The aged pink makes the headboard's fabric and the dresser really pop, yet it's cozy, like being wrapped in a blanket." — Jenn Feldman, Jenn Feldman Designs, Los Angeles, CA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"The dining room in my New Orleans home doesn't have windows, so I brightened it up with yellow. The shade reminds me of Sunday brunches with friends—I call this our mimosa room!" — Dabito, Old Brand New, Los Angeles, CA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Painting a runner on a staircase is a great way to add a splash of color, like in this coastal home. The blue is fun and sophisticated, but the best part is that sweeping sand off painted stairs is a lot easier than vacuuming carpeted ones." — Jenny Keenan, Jenny Keenan Design, Charleston, SC
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Half bathrooms are perfect places to be bold. This orangey red with a spot-on name brings unexpected color to a traditional vanity." — Robin Gannon, Robin Gannon Interiors & Home, Lexington, MA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"The family heirloom dining chairs are a favorite feature in this home, so I chose a paint color to complement them. A crimson shade amplifies the warm wood tones throughout the room—it all feels very cozy." — Tobi Wright, InsideWright, New York, NY
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"I had a Goldilocks moment when choosing a color for the front door of my 1950s bungalow. One yellow was too pineapple-y, and another, too golden. This sunny shade gets it just right!" —Melissa Morgan, Melissa Morgan Design, Costa Mesa, CA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"My laundry room has always been on the dark side because it has only one small window, and the old beige paint didn't help. A fresh pale yellow really brightened the space." — Maria Killam, Maria Killam Inc., Chilliwack, British Columbia
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"If a paint color could channel a spunky girl, it would be this flamingo pink. Everyone in her family did a happy dance when they saw it. While it's a daring choice, balanced with white and natural wood, it works." —Stephanie Lalley, Lucy Interior Design, Minneapolis, MN
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Because this breakfast room is small, it needed a big personality. I like anything Old-Hollywood-inspired, and this glam salmon gets compliments from practically everyone." —Charity D'Amato, Studio Chartreuse, Cleveland, OH
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"The dining room in this early 1900s Colonial deserved a younger vibe. Grass green livened it right up. The homeowners were all in, but to someone on the fence, I'd say go for it—it's just paint!" — Beth Bourque, Beth Bourque Design Studio, Milton, MA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Using a vivid emerald green on otherwise simple cabinets pushed the envelope in a classic space. The color reminds me of new growth on a plant and new beginnings. How could your day not start out great here?" —Jessica Webber, Webber Coleman Woodworks, Watkinsville, GA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"The box beams in my dining room are so pretty that I wanted to help them stand out. My secret: I used this deep denim blue in full strength on the walls, and at 50% saturation between the beams. It's still high impact but with a lighter tone, so it's not as if the ceiling is crashing down on you." — Melanie Coddington, Coddington Design, San Francisco, CA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"The original yellowy wood finish of this thrifted piece made it super dated. Then I put on a few coats of glossy fuchsia, and suddenly the brass pulls popped and the entire chest looked electric—instant glam!" — Crystal Lorraine Sutton, The Driftwood Home, Alexandria, VA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"My husband picked this burnt orange for our bedroom, and at first I wasn't wild about it—with the dark furniture we had, it felt too earthy for me. Once we swapped in light-color furniture and yellow accents, though, it looked lively and fun. Now it's one of my favorite colors." — Amanda Louise Campbell, Amanda Louise Interiors, Greenville, SC
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Here in sunny Miami, deep green is not the most obvious choice for an entryway. But I love how dramatic it is while still feeling natural. When you step inside, it's like you're taking a walk through the woods." — Federica Molini, Arte Bohème blog, Miami, FL
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Painting the ceiling of my son's room calls out the little curve at the top of the walls, which is one of our condo's many charming prewar features. This green seemed just right for a nursery: not too in-your-face, but not babyish, either." — Kiera Kushlan, Residents Understood, Washington, D.C.
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"This shade of blush makes me happy because it reminds me of the dahlias in my wedding bouquet. It also really suits the room's original black-and-white tile floor. I continued it up onto the sloped ceiling, which helps the space look larger." — Emily Cosnotti, The Sweet Beast blog, Pittsburgh, PA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"I had these cabinets put into the den of a house that's over 100 years old and has a lot of original molding, so we didn't need more wood tones. The homeowner had chosen navy but at the last minute worried it would be too dark. And that's how we landed on this amazing sapphire blue." — Robin Titus, R Titus Designs, Chicago, IL
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"To add drama without turning this client's dining room into a cave, I used my go-to black paint—seriously, it's all over my house!—on the walls and painted the wainscoting bright white. Even though I used the darkest color possible, it feels light and airy." — Sallie Finney Kjos,
GreyHunt Interiors, South Riding, VA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"This home office used to be a dull shade of gray, hardly an inspiring place to get stuff done. I painted three walls white, and an accent wall deep, moody teal. The color brings lots of personality and showcases the art. Who wouldn't want to work here now?!" — Gina Sims, Gina Sims Designs, Decatur, GA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"We chose sky blue to complement the tub tile in this Jack and Jill bathroom for a brother and sister. It's a cheerful shade that goes especially well with a yellow rubber ducky!" — Scarlett James, The Mix Interiors, Nashville, TN
The Paint
Captured Heart, Clark + Kensington
How You Can Use It
"The builder I worked with on this house thought I was crazy when I picked such a vibrant color. But I knew white furnishings would calm it down. It's a kid's room, it should feel exciting and happy." — Anna Gaines Posner, Anna Gaines Interiors, Charlottesville, VA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"I found this mudroom bench at an antiques shop, painted black with stenciled fruit—like an '80s crafts project gone wrong. Bold yellow spray paint gave it instant coolness and energy, especially next to the dark blue and red wallpaper." — Elizabeth Baumgartner, Little Black Door Designs, St. Louis, MO
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"My house's traditional taupe siding felt a bit blah, but I didn't want to repaint the entire exterior. A dusty pink on the front door was transformative. It feels totally 2019 … pastel shades are really having a moment. And giving people directions is super easy—I just say it's the pink-door house!" — Allison Crawford, Allison Crawford Design, Austin, TX
The Paint
Royal Orchard, Behr
How You Can Use It
"There's something dramatic about a bookcase that's painted the same color as the walls. You get a space with the elegant feel of a library. This green isn't at all overbearing—it's bright and invigorating in the morning, and cozy and intimate at night." — Taylor Clouse, Love County Design, Austin, TX
The Paint
Paint It Yourself: How You Can DIY It
"I love geometric wallpaper, but I find a stencil way easier. I bought one with 12 triangles from Olive Leaf Stencils on Etsy, then measured the wall so I could start in the middle—that way the pattern would be even on both sides. I secured the stencil with painter's tape and did one coat of dark teal with a roller, keeping the pressure light so paint didn't seep under the stencil's edges." — Summer Wick, Cascade Vintage & Co. blog, Camas, WA
The Paint
She Loves Pink, Behr
Paint It Yourself: How You Can DIY It
"Painting my dingy red brick fireplace perky pink took only about an hour and a half, and the payoff was instant. First I cleaned the brick with a damp cloth. Then I applied two layers of satin-finish paint in a dabbing motion—to get all the nooks and crannies—with a 2-inch nylon brush, waiting 15 minutes between coats. For the third, I just brushed on the paint." — Jenika Kurtz Cuadra, J. Kurtz Design, Los Angeles, CA
The Paint
Paint It Yourself: How You Can DIY It
"This is a fun way to use up leftover paint. You can preplan the design, but I made mine up as I went along. Starting in the top right corner, I taped off a triangle, did two coats, and pulled up the tape while the paint was still wet, for clean edges. I left a corner of the wood dresser untouched for a peekaboo effect. Patience is key! I waited till each section was completely dry before taping off the next one. This project took a weekend, mostly spent waiting for paint to dry." — Jelena Pticek, Poppyseed Creative Living, Toronto, Ontario
The Paint
Paint It Yourself: How You Can DIY It
"Instead of blowing a bundle on new cabinets for this client's kitchen, I brought the sunshine with paint. Prep is everything when you redo stained cabinets—if you don't sand till they're supersmooth and then prime them, the paint could chip. A satin finish is easy to wipe down and also hides imperfections that glossy ones tend to highlight." — Amanda Louise Campbell, Amanda Louise Interiors, Greenville, SC
The Paint
Paint It Yourself: How You Can DIY It
"The rows of drawers in this metal filing cabinet really bring out the gradient effect. Choosing chalky paint meant I didn't need to prime first! I picked two lavenders and mixed them with white in cups, experimenting to create five distinct shades. This works with any color, and you can use a paint deck for inspiration." — Charlotte Martin Smith, At Charlotte's House blog, Southport, CT
The Paint
Paint It Yourself: How You Can DIY It
"I scored the wicker table and chairs on Craigslist for $150—a steal, except they were a dated and sad yellow. A preppy, glossy green gave them a much-needed modern twist. For a flawless finish, it's best to use a paint sprayer so color covers the intricate designs and goes on nice and smooth." — Sam Sidney, homeowner, Charleston, SC
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"A bright barn-ish red felt just right for the farmhouse-y chest in my family room. It's the perfect country red, no purple or orange. The amaryllis I put on top seems like it was made to match!" — Susan Handler, Saw Nail and Paint blog, Seattle, WA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"As soon as I saw the homeowner's bright yellow dining room chairs, I knew I wanted to do an accent wall in a near-matching color. I love how it peeks through the open-back bookcase." — Hannah Masterson, Woodland House Design LLC, Nashville, TN
The Paint
How We Used It
"When a room is large and also gets a ton of light, it can lack an intimate feel. Navy that's so dark it's almost black gives a space a cozy vibe, like it did for this master bedroom sitting area." — Beth Bourque, Beth Bourque Design Studio, Milton, MA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Doors are such a great way to bring a splash of color into a room—small risk, big reward! I picked a light avocado green for my entry that's in step with my mid-century ranch. It's a good balance of eye-catching yet subdued." — Alicia Drown, Studio Rancho, Denver, CO
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"This condo's master bedroom used to be a lifeless shade of tan, which was a bad match for the vivacious homeowner. Eggplant gives it lots of spunk but looks dramatic and sophisticated, too." — Laura Tribbett, Outline Interiors, Chicago, IL
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Once I flanked this living room's fireplace with bookshelves, the red brick suddenly seemed dated. A deep blue totally modernizes it—and makes it the center of attention. Dark gray paint on the hearth keeps the focus on the surround." — Samantha Klickna, Case Design/Remodeling, Bethesda, MD
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Green on the lower cabinets livens up an otherwise all-white kitchen. The color is just right: Its hint of yellow is warm and bright, and it's a great complement to the yellow-leaning oak floors." — Murray Legge, Murray Legge Architecture, Austin, TX (Photography: Whit Preston)
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"A goldenrod shade that exudes 1970s nostalgia, applied just partway up a wall, made this bedroom in a New Orleans apartment unexpectedly cool and contemporary." — Christina Higham, designer for Sonder, San Francisco, CA
The Paint
Dragon Fruit, Clark + Kensington
How You Can Use It
"I wanted to give my little girl a pink room in a shade feisty enough to match her personality. Magenta on one wall is all the color this space needs. I hung medallions before I painted, so it looks like a wall of flowers!" — Carmel Greer, District Design, Washington, D.C.
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Most people use a bold color on the wall and a subtle one on the ceiling, but I flipped things around. The cheery blue resembles a bright, clear sky—perfect for such a light-filled living room. I used the same shade on the doors to tie it all together." — Alisha Gwen, Alisha Gwen Interior Design, Pittsburgh, PA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"This baby pink reminds me of the clouds you see at sunset. I paired it with light teals and white for a soft, pretty look in this little girl's room, but it would be really striking next to navy or dark gray." — Kirsten Krason, House of Jade Interiors, South Jordan, UT
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Getting creative with molding in this master bedroom turned the wall behind the bed into a standout feature. Medium gray makes it seem even more luxe." — Leslie Cotter Dorazil, Leslie Cotter Interiors, Louisville, KY (Designer: Leslie Cotter Interiors, Builder: Ramage Company)
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"After putting up green-and-white wallpaper on three of this bedroom's walls, I decided to do something different with the wall behind the bed so the gridded paneling wouldn't get lost. This clover color makes it pop. And it's so fresh, like spring on a wall!" — Julie Howard, Timber Trails Development Company, Western Springs, IL
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"Since this homeowner is creative and fun-loving, I picked something equally vivacious for the walls of his home office. This shade of blue is super energized and a little offbeat—a perfect match." — Orlando Soria, Homepolish, Los Angeles, CA
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"When this buffet was plain wood, it looked completely traditional—not at all what my client wanted for her modern home. Redoing it in a citrusy yellow made it playful and contemporary." — Heidi Stukenberg, Lily Field Furniture, Rockford, IL
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"People tend to think open lofts have to be all white. This rich purple proves that's not true! Using it for an accent wall in the dining area gives the space definition. I also like that it looks like the perfect glass of wine." — Kevin Clark, Homepolish, New York, NY
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"While I wanted a classic red front door, I was cautious—some reds have too much brown and wind up seeming dark and dull, more barn door than red wagon. This one is bright, happy, and just the right amount of preppy for my navy-and-white house." — Holly Mathis, Holly Mathis Interiors, Brenham, TX
The Paint
How You Can Use It
"To avoid a typical nursery look, I chose this striking bluish black. Although my daughter's furniture is handed down from her big sis, it all looks fresh against the dark backdrop." — Jennifer Hannotte, Hannotte Interiors, Toronto, Ontario
The Paint
One to Remember, Behr
How You Can Use It
"Pink can be a tough sell, but one with a hint of orange keeps it from straying into bubblegum territory. This warm blush is a nice mix of modern and traditional." — Kevin Francis O'Gara, Kevin Francis Design, Atlanta, GA
How to Make a Room Look Bigger With Paint
Source: https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/color/paint-shades-we-love-pictures