Small Living Room Paint Colors to Make the Space Feel More Spacious

Deciding on paint colors for a small living room can be tricky. With limited square footage, it's important to choose hues that make the space appear larger and more open. The right colors can visually expand walls, add depth, and make a small living room feel cozy rather than cramped.

Strategic color choices can transform a tiny living room. Light, bright paint colors reflect light and create an airy vibe. Neutral and soft tones recede walls to provide the illusion of more room. And using dark colors sparingly adds striking contrast without closing in the space.

Why Choose the Right Paint Colors for Small Living Rooms

Paint color has a major impact on the aesthetic and feel of any living room. But for small spaces, it can dramatically change the look and perceived size of the room.

• Make the room appear larger and more spacious. Light paint colors can open up a small living room and make it feel more expansive.
• Brighten up and open up the space. Soft whites and pale neutrals reflect light to make walls seem farther away.
• Create an illusion of depth. Using darker accent colors draws the eye to focal points and adds visual interest.
• Make the room feel cozier. Warm neutral and earthy paint colors give a small living room a welcoming vibe.

The right colors can help a small living room live larger than its footprint. But the wrong color choices can make a compact space feel even smaller.

Avoid Dark Colors that Make a Small Living Room Feel Closed In

It's generally best to avoid very dark paint colors in a small living room. Deep colors tend to absorb light rather than reflect it, which can make walls look closer and rooms feel cramped.

Here's why it's usually wise to skip dark hues on every wall in a tiny space:

• Dark colors absorb light and make walls seem closer together. Without light reflection, a small room will feel more enclosed.
• Can create a gloomy, cramped aesthetic. Too much dark paint can be oppressive in compact quarters.
• Reduce perception of space and make room appear smaller. Dark walls prevent light bouncing around to open up the room.

That's not to say you should avoid rich colors entirely. But use an intense dark shade as an accent, rather than the main wall color. A touch of deep color can provide drama and contrast.

Use Light, Bright Color Tones to Visually Expand

Aim for light, pale wall colors to give the illusion of more space. Soft whites, off-whites, and light neutrals work wonders at opening up small living rooms.

Lighter paint colors make walls appear farther away because:

• Pale, neutral, or soft colors reflect light rather than absorbing it.
• Bright colors like soft whites and ivories make walls seem to recede.
• White or off-white paint bounces light around, visually expanding walls.
• Soft blues, greens, grays visually recede walls to feel more spacious.

Neutral and earthy shades, like beige and light taupes, also make small living rooms feel airier. Soft yellows, pinks, and greens open up the space too.

For a bright and airy palette, paint the walls, trim, and ceiling in matching soft white or light neutral shades. Keeping the entire room light reflects the most light.

Small Living Room Color Ideas

Some specific small living room paint colors that visually expand walls include:

• Swiss Coffee by Behr - soft, warm white
• White Heron by Benjamin Moore - clean, bright white
• Silver Strand by Sherwin Williams - light, airy gray
• Balanced Beige by Behr - earthy, soothing neutral
• Cotton Ball by Behr - soft, cloud-like white
• Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams - muted green-gray

Add Contrast with Dark Accents for Depth

While pale wall colors open up a small living room, you can add dimension with darker accents strategically placed around the room. Deep hues provide contrast and give the illusion of expanded space when used in moderation.

Here are tips for effectively using rich, bold accent colors:

• Dark accent walls, furniture or decor draws the eye. Adding interest without closing in space.
• Paint or decorate focal points in intense colors. Fireplace mantels, built-ins, and shelving are ideal spots.
• Leading the eye to concentrated splashes of deep color creates depth without overwhelming.
• Dark trims along ceilings, baseboards, and windows/doorways frame the lighter walls.

Aim for deep shades like cobalt or navy blue, eggplant purple, emerald green, charcoal gray, or chocolate brown. Use them sparingly to contrast with soft main wall colors. The light reflects around the room while accent areas provide vibrancy.

Accent colors to contrast with light wall paint include:

• Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball - rich, dramatic blue
• Black Bean Soup by Behr - deep charcoal
• Caviar by Behr - dark, saturated black
• Naval by Sherwin Williams - classic navy blue
• North Star by Behr - deep slate blue

With strategic use of both light and deep shades, you can make a small living room feel open, expansive, cozy, and full of visual interest. The right palette can transform a compact space.

Choosing the perfect paint colors involves considering the room's existing elements like furniture and decorations, as well as the amount of natural and artificial light. Testing paint samples is key to finding a color scheme that makes a small living room shine.

The color palette sets the overall aesthetic of a living room. Light tones open up small spaces, while accents and darker colors provide depth and contrast. With a balanced use of hues, you can make a compact living room feel visually expanded and welcoming.