Best Colours to Make a Small Room Look Bigger (According to Design Experts!)

Do you have a small room that feels cramped or closed in? Don’t worry—you don’t need to knock down walls or spend a fortune on renovations. The secret is in the colours you choose! That’s right—just changing your wall or décor colours can make a small room look bigger, brighter, and more open.

Let’s dive into the best colour tips from top interior designers, so you can turn your small space into a big, beautiful vibe.

Best Colours to Make a Small Room Look Bigger (According to Design Experts!)

Why Colours Matter in Small Spaces

Colours do more than just decorate a room—they change how we feel in a space. Lighter colours reflect light and make rooms feel open. Darker colours absorb light and can make a space feel cozy—but also smaller.

By choosing the right paint and décor colours, you can trick the eye and make your small room look much larger than it really is.

Related Post: From Cramped to Cozy: Small Space Decor Tips You Need to Try

1. Go Bright with Soft Whites

When in doubt, go white! Soft white tones like warm white, off-white, or creamy white are top picks from design experts. They reflect natural light and make your room feel airy and clean.

According to Better Homes & Gardens, white is always a safe and smart choice for small spaces.

🖌️ Pro Tip: Pair white walls with natural textures like rattan, wood, or linen for a calm, coastal vibe—and add a light, abstract art print for an elegant finishing touch.

2. Light Neutrals for a Peaceful Feel

Neutral shades like light beige, soft gray, and taupe bring a sense of peace and space. These earthy tones help your eyes relax and make the room feel more open.

Real Simple recommends layering soft neutrals with white trim to stretch the look of your walls and ceilings.

🪞 Design Trick: Add a large mirror and hang a warm-toned art piece to reflect light and soften the space. Need inspiration? Browse the Art Print Collection for ideas that pair beautifully with neutrals.

3. Pale Blues for Calm and Cool

Cool tones like pale blue, sky blue, and soft aqua are magic for small rooms. They bring in that fresh, open-air feeling and help walls “disappear” into the background.

House Beautiful says pale blues are perfect for bedrooms or bathrooms where you want to feel relaxed and free.

🌊 Mood Boost: Complement your blue walls with ocean-inspired prints or calming botanical art that brings the outdoors in.

4. Light Greens for Natural Flow

Green is the colour of nature—and certain shades like sage, mint, and pistachio can make a room feel alive and wide open.

These tones are perfect for creating a fresh and grounding energy. Add leafy plants and wooden furniture for a soft, earthy vibe.

🌿 Inspiration Idea: Enhance the natural look with a hand-painted botanical print or abstract floral piece—check out the latest wall art arrivals.

Related Post: Struggling with a Tiny Room? Try These Small Room Decor Tricks Today!

5. Soft Pinks and Peaches for Warmth

Want a soft and cozy feeling that still feels open? Try blush pink, dusty rose, or peach. These colours bounce light while giving your space a happy, gentle glow.

Interior designers love using these tones in kids’ rooms, nurseries, or even small sitting rooms.

🛋️ Design Tip: Pair with gold accents, a white rug, and a framed pastel artwork to create a cozy, elegant look that feels both stylish and spacious.

6. Keep It Monochrome

Another expert tip: choose one colour for the whole room—walls, ceiling, and even trim. This monochrome look erases hard lines and makes your room feel taller and wider.

Stick with a light shade like soft beige or gray. It creates flow and harmony that’s perfect for small spaces.

🖼️ Add Interest: Layer textures with textiles and include statement wall art that pops just slightly from your colour scheme for visual depth.

Bonus Design Tips to Make a Small Room Look Bigger

✅ Use mirrors. Mirrors reflect light and create the illusion of space. Try a large round mirror or mirrored wall art.

✅ Choose furniture with legs. Pieces that sit off the floor feel lighter and let light flow underneath.

✅ Hang curtains high. Hang rods close to the ceiling to make windows—and rooms—feel taller.

✅ Declutter. A clean space looks and feels much bigger.

✅ Use multi-use furniture. Think ottomans with storage, nesting tables, or fold-down desks.

Related Post: Struggling with a Tiny Room? Try These Small Room Decor Tricks Today!

🎨 Don’t Forget the Finishing Touch: Art!

If you want your room to feel complete, add wall art that enhances your chosen palette. Art creates visual balance, shows off your style, and draws the eye upward—making your space feel taller and more sophisticated.

Need help picking the right pieces? Shop my curated selection of affordable, original wall art prints made to suit small spaces beautifully. Whether you’re into abstracts, botanicals, or minimalist landscapes, there’s something here to bring your room to life.

Final Thoughts: Big Dreams Start in Small Spaces

Your small room has big potential. With the right colours and a few clever design tricks, you can turn even the tiniest space into a place that feels open, fresh, and full of life.

Design is about more than just paint—it’s about how you feel in your space. So trust your instincts, have fun experimenting, and remember: it’s not about the size of the room—it’s about the size of your vision.

✨ Ready to add beautiful, space-enhancing art to your home? Visit ClaireDonovanArt.com and discover the perfect print to make your space shine.

🔍 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What paint colours make a room look bigger?

Lighter shades like soft white, pale blue, sage green, and warm neutrals reflect light, which helps walls appear further away. This creates a more open, airy feeling—perfect for small rooms. Monochrome schemes also help remove visual clutter by blending lines between walls and ceilings.

❓ Does wall art help open up a small room?

Yes! Strategically placed wall art draws the eye upward, adds personality, and creates focal points that expand how a space feels. The key is choosing the right size and palette to complement the room’s tones. For example, light-toned or vertical pieces can add height and harmony.

👉 Want help planning your wall art layout? Grab your free Gallery Wall Layout Guide and learn the secrets to perfect placement—even in tiny spaces!

❓ What is the best way to decorate a small room without cluttering it?

Stick to a few well-chosen pieces that each serve a purpose. Use art for colour and character, choose multi-functional furniture, and keep storage smart and streamlined. A simple plant, a mirror, and a piece of calming wall art are often all you need.

🧠 BONUS: What’s Your Colour Psychology Decor Style?

Your ideal colour palette says a lot about your energy, mood, and personal style. Are you more serene sage or bold blush? Take the free Colour Psychology Decor Quiz and discover which colours align with your vibe—and how to use them to make your space feel bigger, brighter, and totally you.

🎨 Design That Reflects You

Whether you're repainting, rearranging, or starting fresh, remember: your space should reflect who you are and how you want to feel. Colours help—but art brings your vision to life.

👉 Explore the Claire Donovan Art Print Collection to find calming, uplifting wall art that fits your vibe and helps any small space feel like home.