What colours should you choose for a small living room?

In a small living room, light colours help create a feeling of more space. Warm whites, light greys, beiges and soft tones reflect light better. But you do not have to avoid dark colours. Used carefully, they can add charm. The most important thing is to look at the light the room gets.

Start with the light

Before choosing a colour, see where the light comes from. A south-facing room gets a lot of sun. A north-facing room is cooler and darker. The same colour looks very different in each case.

Room with plenty of light: you can use almost any light colour without the room looking dull.
Dark room: prefer light, warm shades, such as a warm greyish white or light beige.
Yellowish artificial light: can make colours look warmer at night.

Paint a large sample on the wall and look at it in the morning, in the afternoon and at night. It is the safest way to choose.

Colours that help

Light colours work well because they reflect more light. The room feels more open and airy.

Warm whites: give light without feeling cold.
Light greys: look modern and understated.
Beiges and creams: create a cosy atmosphere.
Very soft blues and greens: bring calm and go well with a lot of wood.

A simple trick is to use the same colour, or very similar colours, on the walls, skirting boards and doors. With no visual breaks, the eye sees no boundaries and the space feels larger.

What about the ceiling?

The ceiling matters a lot. A white or very light ceiling gives a sense of height. If the walls are dark and the ceiling is too, the room can feel lower.

In older homes with high ceilings, as in many Lisbon buildings, you can paint the ceiling a soft colour to make it feel cosier. In new flats with low ceilings, white is the safer choice.

Can I use dark colours?

You can. A feature wall in a stronger colour adds depth. Choose the far wall, the one facing whoever comes in. The other walls stay light.

Avoid painting all four walls a dark colour in a room with no light. The room can feel smaller and heavy. If you like strong colours, use them in small doses: one wall, a bookcase or the accessories.

Steps to decide

See what light the room gets throughout the day.
Choose two or three light colours you like.
Paint large samples on different walls.
Look at them at several times of day.
Decide and use a matt or satin finish, depending on the walls.

Think about the furniture and the floor too. The wall colour has to work with them. A dark floor and a dark sofa call for light walls to balance them.

Tip: Paint your samples on card and move them around the room. That way you can see the colour on several walls without getting anything dirty.