10 Colors That Make a Room Look Bigger

If you're faced with painting a small space in your home and aren't sure what color to choose, we're here to help. All of the 10 spaces shown below feature paint colors that work to make rooms appear larger, no renovation required. The great news is that whether you're drawn to classic neutrals or prefer shades that are a bit moodier, there are an array of options to explore, from crisp whites to soothing greens.

The 10 Best Paints for Interior Walls for 2023

01 of 10

Clare Dirty Martini

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Cathie Hong Interiors

While we frequently see colors like this one used in the bathroom, that doesn't mean they can't be incorporated into the kitchen. After all, who says that kitchen cabinets have to be a basic neutral? Think outside the box with a light green, which will add life to any room and brighten up the space, all thanks to its soft hue. It's great for color lovers who crave something more subtle. Sticking to just the cabinets allows this portion of the room to really pop.

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02 of 10

Farrow & Ball Pale Hound

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Mel Willis

Say hello to butter yellow! This soft hue adds a sunny touch to this primary bedroom and makes the space feel even more expansive, acting as a neutral. Paired with blue and white bedding, it leans coastal, but it could be styled with soft pinks and oranges for a more boho style look, if desired.

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Clare Fresh Kicks

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Desiree Burns

An all-white kitchen appears nice and bright thanks to the paint color selected as well as the natural sunlight streaming in through the window. Small pops of color in the form of an accent rug and decorative accessories keep the space from feeling too sterile. Best of all, simple pieces like these can easily be switched out over time. If next year you crave pops of magenta, all you have to do is sub out your accessories.

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Farrow & Ball Pelt

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Rozit Arditi

Darker hues can work to make a room seem larger, too, even though this may seem contradictory. This is because darker colors tend to blur the edges of a space, designer Rozit Arditi explains. Here, dark walls complement one exposed brick wall for an industrial chic look.

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Backdrop After Hours

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Erin Williamson

In this space, a deep black hue draws the eye up toward the ceiling, making this snug bedroom appear more expansive—and sophisticated. The large window present in this space prevents it from feeling at all cave-like; instead, it appears majorly cozy.

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Benjamin Moore White Dove

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Simply CH Interiors

Designer Caroline Harvey of Simply CH Interiors uses this popular hue in many of her projects. "It’s a classic, neutral off-white that helps make a space feel open and airy without feeling stark white," she says. "The high LRV keeps it bright and clean, but it still has enough creaminess to make true white trim pop."

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Sherwin Williams Nuance

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Varval Home

This white hue looks right at home in a Scandinavian style or minimalist space. In addition to gracing the walls, it is also incorporated on the ceilings, resulting in an open, cohesive look. When walls feature picture frame molding, as is the case above, it can be nice to opt for a simpler hue like this one to allow these architectural details to really shine.

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Behr Secret Meadow

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / @micasajesstucasa

Consider painting just the upper portion of your walls if you prefer. This half green, half white solution makes this bathroom appear larger and provides an excellent backdrop for a mini gallery wall (yes, even bathrooms deserve beautiful art!).

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Benjamin Moore Gentleman's Gray

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Arianna Abundo

Opting for lighter colored furniture pieces ensures that this navy living room still appears fresh and inviting. If you're unsure about coating all four walls in a hue like this one, you could choose to style an accent wall featuring this color and build your own art display like the one shown here.

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Sherwin Williams Plum Dandy

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / @micasajesstucasa

We see a handful of shades commonly used in the nursery—pink, yellow, blue, and green are often popular choices. Purple, though, is a bit more unexpected, yet the color couldn't look more lovely in the child's room pictured here. When used on the walls as well as on the door, this color makes the room appear more expansive yet still playful.