How to make a small room feel bigger

 If your new home feels a little compact, you can still maximise the space with smart colour techniques.

“I love my new place, but there’s one room that’s smaller than I hoped. Is there a way to make it feel more spacious?”

Whether you’re downsizing or moving into your first home, it’s common to have at least one room that feels a bit tight. But a small room doesn’t mean you need to compromise on style. With the right paint choices, you can easily create the illusion of more space.

Interior designer Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors shares her top five colour ideas for transforming small rooms.



1) Use cool colours to push walls back

Cooler shades naturally make walls recede, helping a room feel brighter and more open. Soft blues and pale greys offer the best light-enhancing effect.

Which paints? Try 10BB 07/150.

2) Go dark for cosy impact

Small rooms don’t always need light colours. It depends on the purpose of the space. Bedrooms may suit warm, comforting tones, while bathrooms can benefit from cooler hues. For a cosy, dramatic feel, deep navy blues work beautifully.

Which paints? Try 10BB 07/150.

3) Add height with a two-tone paint trick

Paint the wall colour up to about 10cm below the ceiling (or up to the bottom of the cornice), then paint everything above in white. This creates a visual lift and makes the ceiling appear higher. Deep teal contrasts strikingly with crisp white.

Which paints? Try 10BG 11/278.

4) Shorten long corridors with feature colours

While feature walls aren’t always recommended, they’re perfect for long, narrow hallways. Painting a dark colour at either end draws the eye inward and reduces the tunnel-like effect. A rich, bold red adds drama.

Which paints? Try 10RB 49/062.


5) Create calm with tonal layering

Choose furniture and fabrics in the same colour family as your wall paint to blend the elements together rather than highlight them. This reduces visual clutter and helps the room feel more spacious. Green tones work especially well for this effect.

Which paints? Try 70BB 59/118, 90BG 25/079, 90GG 08/118.

6) Define woodwork for subtle contrast

In a small room, woodwork looks best when painted one shade darker than the walls. This brings out the architectural details and makes the walls appear to recede, adding depth. Light grey walls paired with darker grey trim create a refined look.

Which paints? Try 10RB 49/062 for the walls and 90BB 09/186 for the trim.

Top Tip

For even better results, choose a paint from the ICI Dulux Light + Space range. These formulas reflect more light back into the room, making compact spaces feel airier and more open.

After painting, you can enhance the spacious feel even further by hanging large mirrors—instantly doubling the visual space.

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