All rooms are not created equal, and this is especially true when it comes to paint. With large, airy rooms, you have a long list of colors and color combinations to choose from. In a small room, you still have some options, but white usually won’t be one of them.
It’s generally understood that painting the walls of most rooms white will add to the feeling of spaciousness. Even more so for the ceiling as dark ceilings seem to be dropping in on you. But small rooms present a challenge. One of the reasons for this is the absence of natural light.
When we say “small” room, we mean a room with maybe a single window that simply doesn’t flood the room with light. In this case, painting the room white can make it look dead and dull. White paint performs at its best when it can pick up plenty of natural light from outside. Otherwise, it kind of just sits there.
Of course, there’s nothing specifically wrong with small rooms that present a subdued mood. Remember – design is always a matter of personal taste, first and foremost. However, if you’re looking to bring life to a smaller room that’s deprived of natural sunlight, stark white on all four walls isn’t your best bet.
Options for painting a small, dark room
Many homeowners go with white paint for every room simply because it’s the “standard.” When they stop and think for a moment about using any of the more neutral shades, they like the idea. And there are plenty of calming, beautiful shades available to bring life into a room that’s small and lacking outside light.
Aloof by Sherwin-Williams, a pleasant shade of gray
Jubilee by Sherwin-Williams, a darker shade of gray
Horizon by Benjamin Moore, a subtle green shade
November Rain by Benjamin Moore, a confident shade in the brown family
These are just a few examples of paint shades that will work well in many small rooms. Keep in mind that when you visit your paint dealer, you can have paints customized to obtain the specific color you’re after.
Some people like to get a small sample of the paint they’re thinking of using and put a little of it on all the walls in a small room to get a visual. Let the paint dry for 24 hours, and then look at it through the course of a day. See how available light interacts with it – this includes light from outside as well as interior lighting.
By putting a little thought into it, checking out the array of shades available from top paint manufacturers and maybe doing a little testing, you should have no trouble coming up with a winning idea for how you’ll paint your small, dark room.
Franklin Painting of Connecticut has served homeowners in the Farmington area for more than 30 years with outstanding interior and exterior painting applications. If your next paint project demands an expert touch, let us give you an estimate and tell you how we can create an amazing finished product. Give us a call at (877) 646-7774.
Frank Campanelli, the esteemed founder of Franklin Painting LLC, has been leading the company since 1986. He takes immense pride in the stellar reputation his dedicated team has built by consistently delivering top-notch service to each customer.
