I’m an interior designer – the worst paint colours for small rooms, and why bright white walls is not a good idea

IF you’re decorating this autumn and thinking white walls will make your box room look more spacious and airy – think again. 

Before you make that trip to your local hardware store for paint, there are a list of colours you should know to avoid.

Experts from The Good Painter have pinpointed the top four colours that will make your room feel even smaller than it is.

Here, we do a deep dive into them…

White

Many people make the mistake of thinking a splash of brilliant white paint is a safe bet for the walls of a small room, hoping it will make the room feel more spacious.

According to The Good Painter white paint should be avoided at all costs.

The Good Painter says: “It makes rooms look boxy and bland, and it also makes shadows and corners more visible – something you want to avoid.”

They suggest using white paint as an accent colour instead.

Brilliant white can often create a clinical feel to a room which can “create a restless feeling many experience in hospitals, which is not particularly welcoming” he explains. 

If you are dead set on white, the best solution for you is “to paint your interior in a chalky white like Farrow & Ball’s Off White to visually open up the space”.

Red

If you’re feeling brave and are drawn towards a bold choice of red, forget about it. 

A bright red can make small spaces feel unpleasant and uncomfortable. 

They explain: “A bright red may seem aggressive, lead to headaches and make rooms look smaller, while muted reds make a room more energetic and welcoming.”

So lean more towards a pastel palette when it comes to red. A dusty rose colour perhaps? Or play it safe by using red accessories to add a splash of courageous colour instead.

As red is a vibrant colour, it’s always easier to bring it into a room using decorations and accessories.

This also makes it easier to balance out the colours in the room,  but it must be used with care. Why not use rusty reds or oranges instead for a splash of colour that’s a little more subtle? We love Little Greene’s Heat.”

Bright Orange or Yellow 

While you might think a bright orange or yellow are cheerful choices for a child’s room, they should be avoided in small spaces as they can be overstimulating. 

In fact this choice of colour could dispel the harmonious feeling you’re trying to create, making you or your little one feel hungry instead.

They shared: “Yellow is usually used as a marketing tool when painting and decorating fast food restaurants as it is said to make people feel hungry.”

Bright colours like yellow can also show up your furniture and make finding matching complimenting accessories a hard task.

“Bright colours tend to draw attention away from furniture and accessories and often feel endangering and alarming,” they continued.

“These also make it difficult to find complementing decorations and often provokes frustration.”

Neutrals

Going for a neutral colour might seem like an easy option until you’re faced with a kaleidoscope of beiges that all blur into one.

There’s a lot to take into consideration when choosing a neutral colour because how it looks on the tin, might not well be how it looks on your walls in the end.

“The colour of the room depends on natural light, the position of the room and the exterior surroundings,” they said.

“Neutral colours are a rich combination of other colours with pink, orange, blue and green undertones that may clash with your choice of interior decoration, furniture and accessories.

“They are also the most difficult to choose from when painting and decorating! We recommend you use colour swatches and ask your painter to paint directly onto the walls of your property.”

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