How To Choose Interior Paint Colors Based On The Size Of Your Home
When choosing a paint color scheme for your home, its size is important. While some wall colors look great in large-proportioned rooms, they are totally unflattering in rooms with smaller dimensions.
The Effect Of Dark Colors
Large rooms lend themselves to deep, striking colors such as dark maroons, reds and greens. The rooms in a large home often feature ample windows that allow in plenty of daylight. An expansive wall with generous windows can carry off the drama of dark, rich colors. Because dark colors absorb light, this can make large rooms cozier and more comfortable.
Smaller houses and rooms, on the other hand, can appear gloomy and dark if painted deep colors, particularly if smaller windows limit daylight. Rather than making rooms cozier, deep colors in small-proportioned rooms can produce a claustrophobic effect. Mid and lighter tones better suit the walls in more modestly sized rooms; lighter tones will reflect and bounce light around the room, creating a brighter space.
The Effect Of Contrasting Colors
In larger homes, contrast can evince drama. Contrasting light trim and crown moldings with a deep wall color, for example, adds richness to a room. So that the effect is not too much, neutrally decorated transitional spaces, such as halls and foyers, can balance the drama within the rooms. One way to create unity between all spaces is to paint the woodwork and wall moldings an identical color throughout.
The use of contrast in large homes can extend to the ceiling; deep colors can seem to pull a high ceiling downwards for a snugger effect. If the walls are light- or mid-toned, a dramatically dark ceiling works well. If the walls are already dark, it is best not to go even darker for the ceiling—too dark, and the ceiling can seem to disappear.
Smaller homes and rooms benefit less from contrast and more from an even, smooth, continuous wash of similar tones and colors. An even, uncluttered flow of colors across walls, trim and furnishings evokes an impression of spaciousness, which counterbalances the smaller room dimensions.
This smooth flow can extend to the ceiling; continuing a light wall color across the ceiling creates an uninterrupted vertical flow. If the walls are a mid color, go a shade or two lighter for the ceiling. Avoid great contrasts between the walls and ceiling unless you have a high ceiling that you want to draw closer.
So when working out a color scheme for your interior painting project, house and room dimensions are important. Deep colors and dramatic contrast can counterbalance the natural spaciousness of a large room and make it cozier. In smaller rooms and homes, similar tones and colors are important to make areas seem more spacious and expansive.
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