Best Colours for Small Rooms: How to Make Your Space Feel Bigger (2026 Guide)

Small rooms can be some of the most charming spaces in a home, but choosing the right colour makes all the difference. With thoughtful paint choices, even the tiniest bedroom, hallway, or office can feel brighter, calmer, and surprisingly spacious.

Here are my top tips as a painter and decorator for selecting colours that open up your space and create a beautiful, comfortable atmosphere.

1. Choose Light, Reflective Colours

Light shades help bounce natural and artificial light around the room, making the space feel airy and open.

Great options include:

• Soft whites (clean, timeless, fresh)

• Warm neutrals like Egyptian Cotton

• Pale greens like Tranquil Dawn for a relaxing feel

• Light greys such as Cornforth White

• Dusty blush tones for subtle warmth

These colours soften corners and make walls feel further away, which instantly enlarges the room visually.

2. Paint the Walls and Ceiling in the Same Colour

This is one of my favourite tricks for small spaces.

Using one continuous colour on both walls and ceiling removes visual breaks, making the room feel higher and more open. Soft whites, warm neutrals, and pale greens work especially well for this technique.

It creates a clean, modern finish and clients always love the result.

If you would like something different :)

3. Consider a Gentle Feature Wall (If the Room Can Handle It)

Feature walls aren’t off-limits in smaller spaces, but they work best when they’re:

• only slightly darker than the main colour, or

• a soft shade that adds depth without overwhelming the room

For very tiny rooms, it’s usually better to keep all walls in the same calm tone for maximum openness. But in a slightly bigger small room, a subtle feature wall can add character and dimension.

4. Use Colours With Personality (Yes, Even in Small Rooms)

A small room doesn’t have to be plain. Soft greens, powder blues, muted sages, and warm beige tones add personality without shrinking the space.

A few client-favourite shades I often recommend:

• Dulux Egyptian Cotton — warm, welcoming and versatile

• Dulux Rock Salt — a clean, bright white that suits modern homes

• Farrow & Ball Cornforth White — elegant soft grey

• Dulux Tranquil Dawn — subtle, calming green

• Heritage Chalk White — beautiful soft neutral for classic interiors

These colours work beautifully in bedrooms, hallways, and home offices.

A close-up view of a color swatch booklet featuring the shades White Mist and Rock Salt, highlighting a range of subtle and elegant hues.

A Recent Example from Yugo Painting

I recently repainted a smaller room where the client wanted the space to feel brighter and more open. We chose a soft warm neutral, applied clean coats to tidy the walls, and kept the ceiling in the same shade.

The transformation was immediate the room felt bigger, calmer, and more inviting. Small changes really do make a big difference.

Thinking About Refreshing a Small Room?

If you’d like help choosing the perfect colour for your space or if you’re thinking about repainting a room this year feel free to get in touch. I’ll happily offer advice and a clear, no-pressure quote.

The Dulux Heritage collection showcases an elegant array of pale tones designed to enhance spaciousness and bring a refined touch to any room.

Yugo Painting Clean • Precise • Polite