Choosing a paint colour for a small room can be just as challenging as creating a colour palette for an entire home. In a small house or apartment, every room often needs to serve more than one purpose. A home office can become a guest bedroom during the holidays, while a dining area can also serve as a reading nook or workspace on weekends.
In this context, choosing the right paint colours for small spaces becomes especially important. The right colour palette can help make a small room feel larger and brighter, maximise available light and add personality to your space.
But do you always have to choose white? Can you use a dark paint colour in a small room? And which wall should be darker?
Here are our tips for choosing the best paint colours for small spaces and creating a room that reflects your personal style.
Start by Defining the Look and Feel You Want
Before choosing a paint colour, think about the atmosphere you want to create.
Do you want your small room to look bigger and brighter? Light, airy colours can help create a more open and spacious feeling.
Do you prefer a bold interior? A vibrant paint colour can transform a small space into a striking feature of your home.
For those who prefer a more understated look, a palette inspired by minimalist design can create a calm and uncluttered atmosphere. On the other hand, rich colours and bold contrasts can work beautifully in a maximalist space.
Whatever your style, there are many ways to use colour in a small space.
Colour can transform the way a small space looks and feels while helping create the atmosphere you want.
Test Your Paint Colour Before You Paint
Have very little natural light in your small room? No problem.
Before making your final decision, take the time to test your paint colours directly in the room. A colour can look dramatically different depending on natural light, artificial lighting, the time of day and the colours surrounding it.
Leave your sample in the room for several days so you can see how the colour changes under different lighting conditions.
Benjamin Moore offers several sample options, including 236 ml Paint Colour Samples, allowing you to compare your favourite colours directly in your space before making a final decision.
Our tip: Live with your paint samples for a few days. It is one of the best ways to make sure the colour you choose truly suits your taste and your space.
Don’t Be Afraid to Use Colours That Make a Statement
A small space doesn’t necessarily mean you have to choose a light paint colour.
In fact, a bold paint colour in a small room can create a dramatic effect and give the space plenty of personality.
For example, the combination of Starry Night Blue 2067-20 on the pegboard wall and Conch Shell 052 on the door creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
To achieve a similar look, choose a bold colour you love and complement it with accessories, decorative accents, artwork and plants.
A bold paint colour can add character and personality to a small space.
Choose Light Colours to Make a Small Room Feel Larger
Light paint colours and pastels are particularly effective when you want a small room to feel larger and brighter.
One effective strategy is to use a light colour above eye level. For example, you can choose a ceiling colour that is lighter than, or slightly different from, the wall colour.
This subtle variation draws the eye upward and can make the walls appear taller while maintaining a cohesive look throughout the room.
Light paint colours can help create the impression of more space and natural light.
Which Wall Should Be Darker in a Small Room?
Want to add an accent wall to a small room? Start by identifying the wall you want to highlight.
It could be a wall with windows, a wall displaying artwork, or a wall featuring an interesting architectural detail such as moulding, a door or another distinctive feature.
You can even choose the ceiling as an accent surface to draw the eye upward.
The goal is to use paint colour as an intentional design element rather than simply choosing a darker colour at random.
Before making your final decision, always test your paint colour with a sample. Observe it for several days to see how it interacts with the lighting and the other colours in the room.
What Is the Best Paint Colour for a Small Space?
There is no single best paint colour for every small room.
However, light and airy shades are often preferred when the goal is to make a small space feel larger, brighter and more open.
For this type of look, our suggestions are Pristine OC-75, White Dove OC-17 and Glass Slipper 1632
These colours create a bright and versatile backdrop that can work beautifully with a variety of interior design styles.
Love Bold Colours?
If you love a maximalist style, consider choosing a vibrant paint colour to create a small space that gets noticed.
Our three suggestions are Ming Jade 2043-20, Savannah Green 2150-30 and Dinner Party AF-300
In a small room, a bold paint colour can become the main decorative element and give the space a strong sense of personality.
The Right Paint Colour Starts with Expert Advice
Choosing a paint colour for a small space is about much more than deciding between a light or dark shade. Natural light, the function of the room, furniture, interior design style and the atmosphere you want to create should all be considered.
With four locations, Décoration Le Corbusier offers access to Benjamin Moore product and colour experts who can help you choose the right products and colours based on your project, budget and the specific conditions of your space.
Need Help Choosing the Right Paint Colour?
Visit us in store! Bring your photos, inspiration or ideas, and our team will help you find the Benjamin Moore paint colour that works best for your small space.
Small room, big potential. Come discover the possibilities with Décoration Le Corbusier!