Use Color to Change Perception
Do you want to make a small room seem bigger? Or bring a cavernous room down to size? Paint color and sheen can influence your perception on size and width of a room, so it’s time to dress your walls like you do yourself! Vertical stripes can make a ceiling seem higher. Bright colors can open up a space. Here are some more paint tips from the folks at the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute.
To “Raise” or “Lower” the Ceiling: If a ceiling feels too low, bright white can "raise" your perception of its height. By taking a cue from clothing designers, adventuresome homeowners can paint their walls with vertical stripes to enhance the sense of height. On the other hand, dramatic high ceilings may cause a living space to feel cavernous. To visually lower ceiling height, add a mid to deep hue on the ceiling. Another alternative is to paint horizontal stripes on the walls.
To “Shrink” or “Expand” Rooms: Just as a dark monochromatic outfit can visually "slim" an appearance, a monochromatic paint scheme can do the same in a large space. Choosing darker shade for the walls will reign in a large room and create a cozy and intimate space. Is your room too narrow and long? Just widen it by painting the shorter walls a deeper color than the longer walls. If color alone is not enough to change the perceived dimensions, use color combinations to create visual breaks. Divide your wall space horizontally with a chair rail and paint the upper and lower portions different hues.
