Splash of color makes big statement in small space

Making a small room appear larger can be as simple as using color creatively. To add some breathing room to a compact space, all you need are some colorful ideas.

“Color is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to transform the look and feel of a room,” said David Bromstad, HGTV star and celebrity interior designer. “When used in a few well-chosen places, such as a feature wall or statement piece of furniture, color can have a big impact in a small space.”

Bromstad offers these color tips for transforming a space from tiny to airy:

Create a focal point with paint. Paint a statement wall that draws attention away from the size of your space and toward something beautiful and vibrant. Bright or bold colors work well, as the wall can appear to recede, creating the illusion of space.

Go big with lighter and softer colors. In areas beyond the feature wall, use lighter and softer colors to make the space seem larger. Light blues and greens add significant light subtly to a room.

Coordinate your colors. Stretch your space and maximize effect by using color to coordinate your rooms and decor. HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams offers precoordinated collections of color, paint and wallpaper. The color palettes can be used to ensure that your walls, furniture and accessories help create a cohesive look.

Reflect upon something. Placed opposite a window or side by side, mirrors can spread light throughout the room to make spaces feel larger. A tall mirror draws the eye up, making ceilings look taller. When angled toward your room’s focal wall, a mirror also can create the illusion of depth.

Paint something unexpected. Think beyond your walls and consider painting your mailbox or address numbers on your home, a stairway banister or a piece of furniture. Add a colorful punctuation point by transforming a bedroom nightstand bright blue or a desk chair in an unexpected orange. Everything else in the room will appear larger.

“Clever use of color adds the illusion of space and injects personality into it as well. That’s what’s great about color; you can dramatically alter the look of a room while expressing yourself in a fun way,” Bromstad said.

For additional inspiration and information on HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, visit www.sherwin-williams.com/hgtv.