Source: Pamela Lynn Interiors
Whether you live in a small home or a large one you will run into issues that make selecting a colour palette challenging. The issues that are specific to small spaces can feel limiting but the right palette can make any small space shine. The important factor to remember is that it’s the planning that determines the success.
You do need to be mindful of the palette and ensure that you’re not overwhelming the small space or alternatively that you’re not turning the space into a bland, beige box instead. Here are some colour combinations that will help your small space look its best.
5 Colour Combinations for Small Spaces
1/ Go Neutral
Benjamin Moore Fog Mist OC-31
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172
Benjamin Moore Sparrow AF-720
Benjamin Moore Char Brown 2137-20
The secret to successfully using a neutral palette without it looking boring or drab is to play with the intensity of colours you use and use the accent colours sparingly. While you may want to keep your walls lighter with Fog Mist or Pale Oak you can add drama and interest by incorporating deeper shades of the same colour.
In this case I would look to my artwork and rug to add in some of the darker colours. In the image above the homeowner has added some interest with the curtains in the dark sage green. The neutral beige tones are deepened in the rug and go even deeper with the coffee table but they’re all shades of the same beige. Aside from those colours the rest of the space is very neutral.
Neutral palettes are easy to live with in a small space because it helps to keep things feeling calm and understated but it also looks sophisticated. If you find that the palette seems to be lacking try adding in texture. This works especially well with a neutral palette and will stop it from seeming dull.
2/ Coastal Vibes
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt SW-6204
Sherwin Williams Spare White SW-6203
Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray SW-7044
Sherwin Williams Summit Gray SW-7669
Sherwin Williams Dew Drop SW-9641
This is a palette that we see a lot in larger, beachfront homes but it will also work beautifully in a small space.
I would suggest that to make this palette shine you need lots of light in the space. If you don’t have natural lighting coming in, you can compensate for the lack through a careful arrangement of overhead lighting mixed with sconces and lamps. If you want to learn more about creating a perfect lighting plan for your space, read this post.
For small spaces I would select Spare White, Sea Salt or Dew Drop for the wall colour and carefully incorporate the other colours in furniture, art and accessories. I love the darker tones for an area rug with this palette and extra points if you use a natural fibre like sisal or jute.
And if you think Summit Gray is too dark then consider adding this tone through your metal. A silver or gunmetal, glass topped coffee table will add this shade without having any dark furniture or accessories. Even a few carefully selected candle holders can be enough to add that metal and create some visual interest.
This palette will give you an elegant beach look that can turn your small space into a charming Hamptons retreat.
3/ Bold and Sophisticated
Benjamin Moore Raisin Torte 2083-10
Benjamin Moore Atrium White OC-145
Benjamin Moore Alexandria Beige HC-77
Benjamin Moore Elmira White HC-84
Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron 2124-10
If you think bold colours have no place in a small space, think again. The secret is to have fun with the colour. You can see from the images above that the homeowners are not afraid of colour. And while one relies on the bold colour as an accent in the 2nd image the designer has led the entire design through the use of the bold burgundy and black (see more black rooms that are chic and sophisticated in this post).. And yet in both of these small rooms it doesn’t make the space feel cramped or overwhelming.
In spite of what you may have heard, small spaces do not need to be bland to feel bigger. It’s all about creating a design that is consistent in its colour placement. If you’re going to embrace bold design, go all out. Don’t be afraid and then backpedal because you’ll be left with a room that feels incomplete in some way. Embrace the bold and you’ll always have a space that you love.
4/ Water Hues
Sherwin Williams Stargazer SW-9635
Sherwin Williams Gypsum SW-9543
Sherwin Williams Eventide SW-9643
Sherwin Williams White Snow SW-9541
Sherwin Williams Portsmouth SW-9644
Blue is such an easy colour to live with so it stands to reason that so many homeowners use this colour in small spaces. According to the psychology of colour blue can help us to feel calm and relaxed. That makes it a perfect choice for a bedroom but of course it can be used anywhere in your home.
In the image above you might initially just see a blue room. Look closer and you’ll see that this homeowner has incorporated a few different shades of blue. Individually they’re all beautiful colours and together they create a soft palette that feels interesting but calming.
If that room feels too blue you can opt for a much lighter wall colour. White Snow is a beautiful creamy white that goes well with blue and would provide a more neutral backdrop with the same overall effect.
5/ In the Forest
Benjamin Moore Soft Fern 2144-40
Benjamin Moore Eucalyptus Leaf 2144-20
Benjamin Moore Raccoon Fur 2126-20
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45
Green is another very easy colour to incorporate into our homes. There’s an element of nature that always works and always feels comfortable regardless of the size of your space.
In this kitchen above there are several colours at play although green stands out as the most prominent. The black countertops may initially sound too much for a small kitchen but always remember that black or charcoal are neutrals, albeit a very dark neutral. The soft green wall paint may appear tan or beige at first glance but only when you compare it to the warm beige backsplash tile that you see it’s a different colour altogether.
This is a perfect example of how a well planned space can appear to have just a single colour but in fact, there are many colours working together to create a single palette.
I hope this helps you get excited about decorating your own small space. If you still feel overwhelmed and need some help, reach out to me. I’d love to discuss your upcoming project and see how I can help.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
