Storage space, or lack of it, is one of the biggest complaints after moving into a new condo or home. As Americans, we tend to accumulate a wide variety of items. So when we are looking for a new place to call home, it makes sense that we are attracted to homes that feel spacious.
You can craft an immense open feeling by decluttering furniture and creating a minimal feel with your décor. The right color palette will also affect how spacious the home feels and can make a room look bigger.
Making a room look bigger using color is done by creating an optical illusion. As interior designers, we know that light paint colors make a room look larger and brighter because they are more reflective. The outcome is a space that feels open and airy, which helps maximize natural light’s effect. Dark tones tend to absorb light, making rooms feel smaller.
So, what colors make a room appear larger?
For an optimal outcome, use neutrals, such as off-white or soft tones of blues and greens. Here’s a designer’s tip, go monochromatic by painting your wall trim and moldings lighter than your walls; an example would be white baseboards and cream walls. Doing so will make your room look more extensive as the walls appear farther back.
How do you pick the right neutral?
Choosing the right neutral is more challenging than you might think, as there are color trends among neutrals – especially when selling a home. Color trends can change dramatically in 10 years. During the first quarter of 2020, grey and white were the most popular. Since the pandemic, folks have been drawn to the colors of nature, like Benjamin Moore’s 2022 color of the year (below), but whites and creams still reign when selling your home.
White and Cream are The Best Colors When Selling a House or Condo
Eighty-one percent of recently surveyed interior design experts (image shown below) say whites and creams are the best colors to use when selling a house or condo in 2022, according to the Paint & Color Trends 2022 Report by Fixr, a home improvement resource. This is likely because whites and creams are a universally pleasing color palette.
Can you use paint to change the shape of the room?
Rectangular spaces and long narrow hallways, like many condos, can be made to feel more comprehensive with the right paint choices. To make a space feel more expansive, paint the shorter ends a color a shade darker than the longer sides. Doing so will visually move the shorter surface closer to you because the lighter colors recede while darker colors advance.
Here’s a designer’s tip: Be sure to paint adjacent rooms the same color so that the eye quickly moves from room to room. The uniformity of the wall color is crucial in a small space as it tricks the mind into thinking the area is more extensive. If you don’t want to do that, stick to the same hues and change the color saturation.
What about color trends when selling a home? While the beautiful new color of the year will add a pop of color, you do not want to paint your walls with it if you plan on selling your home. As we mentioned earlier, whites and creams are your best choice.
So many factors influence the best color for your space. If you are getting ready to sell your home and want to refresh the paint palette, we can help.
