Whether it’s a modest apartment or a small student bedroom, outfitting a tiny living space can be challenging. Fortunately, paint is a powerful means of transforming a room’s appearance!
Colour and finish choices, zoning and structure, accents and stripes… there are many painting techniques that will do justice to your small dwelling.
With the right Benjamin Moore product and the right techniques, you can turn a cramped apartment into a lovely, cozy little pad. Here are a few tips from Décoration Le Corbusier for reinventing your small space with paint.
White and light colours: a must
We’re probably not telling you anything new: white paint colours and light shades are ideal for visually enlarging a room. They reflect more light than dark colours, accentuating the “airy” appearance of the space.
Here are a few suggestions for Benjamin Moore shades that will give your space an impression of spaciousness:
- Chantilly Lace (OC-65): a classic, versatile white
- Opulence (879): a refreshing white with pinkish highlights
- Distant Gray (OC-68): a bright white with a hint of blue-grey
Neutral or bright colours?
If you find white walls boring, why not opt for neutral paint colours? They create a soothing backdrop that allows other elements of your décor to stand out without visually over-cluttering the room.
Here are a few suggestions for Benjamin Moore neutral shades that will provide a harmonious backdrop for your environment:
- Muslin (OC-12): a welcoming, organic neutral
- Pale Oak (OC-20): a versatile neutral with warm nuances
- Pashmina (AF-100): a refined neutral suitable for all decors
Bright colours can also look good in your small space as long as they’re chosen and positioned wisely. For example, you can choose a neutral shade on the main walls and add a touch of colour with an accent wall, or through decorative accessories.
Reflection and brightness: two great allies
Brightness is a key factor in the perception of space. The brighter a room, the bigger it will look. That’s why we recommend using glossier paint finishes for the walls of your home. Gloss finishes reflect more light, boosting the room’s natural brightness.
Benjamin Moore products are available in a variety of paint finishes to bring a touch of elegance to your décor. Come and see us at our store; we’ll be happy to give you advice!
All about strategic colour placement
Colour placement on walls can radically alter the perception of a room’s size. Here are a few tips for cleverly painting a small space, from floor to ceiling:
Painting the ceiling
Painting your ceiling a lighter shade than the walls can give the illusion of a higher, and therefore narrower, room. White is always a good option, but you can also choose a shade slightly paler than that of the walls, which will create a pleasing effect of continuity.
Here are the Benjamin Moore paints and primers that we recommend for painting a ceiling:
- Fresh Start® Primer K046: For optimum coverage and results without a hitch, apply this primer before your paint. It will prepare the ceiling to absorb the paint evenly.
- Water-based ceiling paint: Its extra-matte finish is designed to hide imperfections, and it’s available in all Benjamin Moore colours.
Painting an accent wall
Using a darker colour on the back wall can add depth to the room. Ideally, however, keep the wall facing the window a light colour to ensure that it reflects as much natural light as possible.
Here’s the Benjamin Moore paint we recommend for painting your interior walls:
- Aura® Interior Paint: Benjamin Moore’s Aura interior paint is recognized by professionals in the industry for its incomparable quality and vibrant colours. It offers excellent coverage and, best of all, it’s self-priming!
Paint at half-height
To add structure and height to a room, you can paint the walls up to mid-height, using a light shade for the lower part and a darker one for the upper part.
You can use a moulding to mark off your two colour sections or simply use painter’s masking tape when applying the paint to ensure a straight, well-defined line.
Create an effect of spaciousness with stripes
In fashion as in decorating, stripes play on our perception of size. Horizontal lines visually widen a room. Vertical lines, on the other hand, give an impression of height.
This type of project requires a bit more work, but it will give your living space a totally unique look! It’s also a great way to personalize a rental property. Leaving your apartment? A coat of white and you’re good to go!
Defining and structuring space in a room
Colour zoning is an effective way of structuring your living space and defining areas within an open plan space. If you have a multi-purpose room, you can use coloured paint to define specific zones, such as an office or dining area.
Painting a section of a wall a different colour can help define its use without having to divide the space with a screen or curtain. This creates a visual division that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Concealing imperfections
Did you know that your choice of paint colour and finish can also hide imperfections on your walls? In actual fact, using deep, matte colours helps blur the small imperfections of damaged mouldings or walls with a certain amount of wear and tear.
Benjamin Moore’s Matte and Ulti- Matte finishes allow more pigment to show through, so imperfections are better concealed. However, it’s important to remember that the more matte the finish, the harder it is to remove stains.
So for a high-traffic room, it’s probably best to choose a smoother finish… and learn to live with the little flaws that show through on your wall.
Optimize your living space with Décoration Le Corbusier
With expert advice from Décoration Le Corbusier and high-quality Benjamin Moore products, you can transform your space into a living environment that reflects your personality.
Our qualified team is here to help you find the right products for your projects. Come see us at one of our four stores for professional guidance!
