Painting Envy: The Best Paint Colors for Small Spaces

A lot depends upon color: your mood, the lighting, and yes, the illusion of space. It is true that certain colors can make a space look larger and more open, but is there a truly perfect shade for small spaces? Many would argue that white walls are the only way to go in a small apartment, but that's up for debate (although a crisp white color does do a lot to open up a room and awaken the senses.)

You don't have to limit yourself because of square footage. In fact, you can make practically anything work somehow. Opening up your small space is more about strategic furniture placement and accent pieces than the color of the walls. That being said, there are colors that are more difficult to use in a small space, and there are certainly colors that are easier to work with.

Shades of Blue

Blue is a great color for small spaces. Not only will it create the perception of depth in a room, it also has the added bonus of boosting your mood and creating a sense of calm. A lot of smaller spaces lack an abundance of natural lighting. Pale shades are a go-to for boosting the lighting in a darker room. But don't shy away from darker shades, if that's what you're looking for. A darker, sharper shade of blue can create depth. Darker colors are perfect for rooms for unwinding. Just make sure you have plenty of artificial light in the room for when you need to brighten things up a bit.

Brighten Your Bathroom

Pastel shades are great for the bathroom, but you can really step things up in there with a brighter shade, like orange or bright yellow. The bathroom is a great place to go bold. If you're really feeling courageous, you could even paint a pattern or used patterned wall paper in there. On the other hand, if you're a little hesitant, keep the walls neutral and instead paint the accents, like the cabinets and mirror frames for a pop of bright color. This bathroom looks crisp and clean, and the bright blue bath mat makes for a great color combination with the green cabinets.

Paint the Ceiling

One great way to add depth to any room is to paint the ceiling a different color than the walls. The best strategy here is to keep the walls a neutral color, like white, and paint the ceiling a crisp, dark color. This is another place to go bold: dark blue, dark gray, even turquoise or orange work here. And no one ever said you couldn't put a pattern on your ceiling. Stripes are a fun pattern to play around with, and on the ceiling they won't make the room feel too busy.

Go Crazy in the Kitchen

The kitchen is a great room to experiment in-and I don't mean with your baking skills. There's usually plenty of lighting in the kitchen, so you don't have to worry too much about painting the room too dark. Bold colors like red, orange, or yellow might not work well everywhere, but they do liven up a kitchen. Experts suggest hanging lots of artwork and dishes on the walls in the kitchen to reflect light and add color.

As you can see, there's no one way to paint a small space; the options are endless. We hope these tips give you some inspiration! Before you get painting, it might be a good idea to move some things into storage. Check out UrBin Storage for fast, convenient service-they'll come to you!