Choosing Colour Schemes for Painting Small Spaces

When choosing the best colours for small spaces, consider both the function of the space and the atmosphere you want to create. You can instil a sense of calm by using light, tonal shades in spaces that see a lot of activity. To create a cocooning sanctuary, opt for warm, dark hues instead.

Whilst the colour palette you build is a personal choice, there are certain schemes that lend themselves to smaller rooms. Explore unique interior design ideas by painting small spaces with thoughtful colour choices.

Develop a cosy scheme using dark and intense shades

Don’t be afraid to embrace the proportions of a small room by using darker shades on all walls. Dark colours work well in small rooms with limited natural light. Instead of trying to make the room feel bigger, select a deep, pigmented shade to embrace the character of the space.

Create an intimate haven within the home by using cocooning colours. Deep greys and earthy shades of brown work well here. Use the strong deep stone, Elysian Ground, in a compact bathroom space for a rich, luxurious feel. Introduce darker shades alongside thriving greenery and lustrous gold accents as an elegant bathroom paint idea for small spaces.

Create a serene atmosphere in a home study with limited space

A small home office colour scheme is a fabulous opportunity to experiment with darker tones that stimulate focus. Pair Obsidian Green with Scree in an interesting colour block design. Incorporate bright shades on furniture and floors for a playful colour highlight.

Browse other inspiring study schemes.

Achieve a rich and luxurious small bedroom colour scheme

When decorating a small bedroom, size should be a consideration, but the mood you are looking to define is key. Sumptuous dark hues such as burgundy and deep purples are wonderful for bringing a sense of opulence to the space. Our earthy Nether Red, is the perfect choice for an atmospheric bedroom that still feels soft and inviting.

Explore our gallery of bedroom inspiration.

Walls: Nether Red, Drawers & Door: French Grey - Dark

Incorporate bright colour accents to bring personality to a small space

To add a playful element to a dark and intense scheme, try using a bold accent shade. When choosing bold paint colours for small spaces, consider small colour highlights rather than full walls. Introduce an unexpected pop of colour on skirtings, dado rails, furnishings or textural elements to add interest to a smaller room.

Our dark grey-green, Pompeian Grey, is a versatile base upon which to experiment with brighter accent colours. Consider emphasising architectural features with the contemporary burnt orange, Heat. Alternatively, add a bright highlight to hallway skirtings with the golden yellow, Giallo.

Read our guide to learn more about how to paint skirting boards and other accent areas.

Panelled Wall: Pompeian Grey, Skirting: Giallo, Ceiling: Ceviche

Use rich greens to bring nature into compact rooms

Natural green shades are the perfect colour choice for small spaces. Dark Brunswick Green has a timeless, positive quality that works beautifully on a single feature wall in a compact laundry space. Pair with cabinetry in the earthy neutral, Portland Stone – Pale, to reflect the colours we see in nature.

Read our guide to bringing nature indoors with green schemes.

Immerse guests in natural green tones

For an all-over scheme that envelops guests, choose a resonant shade of green. Colour drenching, or double drenching, works particularly well to add depth when painting small spaces. The pairing of Jewel Beetle with Chocolate Colour offers a rustic quality that works beautifully in small dining rooms.

Green is also a fabulous choice to maximise a modest hallway, welcoming guests into a natural oasis. Our yellow-based green, Citrine, sits comfortably in spaces with limited natural light.

Learn more about all-over colour schemes.

Complement natural light in small spaces with soft neutrals

When painting small spaces, consider how natural light interacts with your colour palette. Many people opt to use bright whites in small rooms, with the aim of making the space feel larger. However, brilliant white can often be quite stark, with the opposite effect of creating harsh lines for the eye.

Using light neutrals in a tonal scheme will create a softer environment. If there is a lot of natural light, then using soft, light tones will make a smaller room feel more spacious.

Discover our neutral colour palette.

Instil calm in a high-traffic small kitchen

Small, galley kitchens can often be the busiest areas of the home. By painting walls in the classic neutral, Mushroom, you can introduce a calm colour scheme. Team with units in the sophisticated warm white, Flint, and Pompeian Grey on the splash back. Choosing pale kitchen paint colours for small spaces can bring a sense of calm to your space.

Find inspiration in our gallery of kitchen design schemes.

Wall: Mushroom, Splash Back: Pompeian Grey, Kitchen Units: Flint

Use the Colour Scales in a light-filled compact living room

A small living room is one of the most difficult areas of the home to decorate. If your small living area is dark, consider using rich, deep shades to create a cocooning snug. If your room receives plenty of natural light, use lighter colours to maximise the space.

Our Colour Scales are the perfect choice to boost natural light. Use the graduated tones in combination to add discreet depth to a room. Use shades from the warm Silent White family on ceilings, walls and woodwork for a tranquil, balanced scheme.

Masquerade is another great colour choice to develop a harmonious living room. This alluring powder-like hue creates a sophisticated feel when combined with different shades. Introduce black and white accessories to tie the space together.

Learn more about considering the orientation of a space with our helpful guide.

Create an inspiring small space with fresh pastels

A colour block design creates a focal point in small rooms, such as a home office or study space. Using two complementary, pastel shades is a wonderful way to draw the eye upwards. Pair grey-green Tracery II with the fresh and warm Light Beauvais for a subtle yet playful study space.

These two shades are also available in our upcycled Re:mix finish.

Explore the full palette of 20 honest, upcycled colours.

Ceiling: Loft White Upper Wall: Re:mix Light Beauvais Lower Wall: Re:mix Tracery II

Things to consider when choosing small room paint colours

To select colours for a small room, it’s important to consider both the natural feel of the space and how you will use it each day.

If your small room receives plenty of sunlight, enhance the space by using pale, neutral or pastel shades. This approach can often make the room appear larger, perfect for high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens.

Or if you have a small room that feels dark and moody, harness this character with deep, cocooning hues. A palette of greens will create connection with the outdoors, which is particularly important in rooms which lack natural light.

For more colour scheme ideas, browse our inspiration gallery.

Get in touch with our Colour Consultants for colour scheme guidance from design experts.