Crafty Captain
  • Home Upgrades
  • Style
  • Advice
  • Crafts
Advice

7 Colors Not To Use When Painting a Small Room

January 4, 2023 · 9 min read
color
Photo by Veja from shutterstock.com

1. Muted neutrals

Neutral colors look stunning in every room, whether it’s big or small. They make it seem classy, stylish, clean, and elegant, but when it comes to muted neutrals, things are different. Just think of a tiny room painted gray, terracotta, sandy beige, cloud blue, or sage – it’s just not right and it makes the space look even smaller than it is.

You shouldn’t think that any old neutral paint hue will do the trick in your little home. That’s because a room painted in a muted neutral will seem smaller and darker than it really is. Besides that, it just doesn’t look good, and it makes the space look cramped and crowded, especially if there’s plenty of stuff there.

If you want to give off the impression of space and light, you can decorate with warm neutral hues that reflect light and add some accessories that brighten up the space. You should choose furniture, draperies, and linens in a neutral tone to complement the space you have, as well as the color on your walls.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

12 responses to “7 Colors Not To Use When Painting a Small Room”

  1. brad lee says:
    October 19, 2023 at 4:52 pm

    Basically, don’t use white in a small room, or any colors.

    Reply
    • Mark says:
      April 26, 2024 at 3:07 pm

      Yeah, just blindfold yourself. You won’t see any colors…

      Reply
  2. Ms. SUZANNE J ARNOLD says:
    October 27, 2023 at 6:41 pm

    what to know if burgundy for the kitchen with dark walnut cabinets all right, light lavender for living room with the dark walnut for window and door frames; sunny yellow for small bedroom and hot pink for bathroom?

    Reply
    • Khawaja Ahmed Butt says:
      October 24, 2024 at 5:15 am

      Burgundy in kitchen means you won’t be able to see the cockroaches crawling on the walls. Don’t do it, but in bathroom sky blue will be fine.

      Reply
  3. Brent Renner says:
    October 31, 2023 at 4:26 pm

    What colors should I avoid painting in a small room?

    Reply
    • Kathy says:
      March 23, 2024 at 10:10 pm

      So what do they do if they can’t use ANY color?most darker colors will make the room appear smaller…Try a light gray!

      Reply
    • Tamera Longe says:
      October 23, 2024 at 5:31 pm

      Great information, thanks. I love the colors gray, brown shades and green. What would you think of any of these colors for a small room?

      Reply
    • Frances Mastin says:
      March 23, 2025 at 2:55 pm

      what is the best color for a small house. 4 rooms to color

      Reply
    • Sylvia Carlson says:
      September 13, 2025 at 4:16 am

      Don’t paint a small room, whether it’s a living room, dining room, or bathroom with dark colors. It will only make that room look smaller. Use light colors…it will open it up and make it seem larger.

      Reply
  4. Suzi says:
    March 23, 2024 at 2:26 pm

    My master bedroom is painted in Sherwin-Williams “Flexible Gray”. It’s a glorious, soft, muted purple tone. When I walk into the room, it feels like a hug.
    This article might have been more helpful for people who don’t have a great sense of color/shade/ saturation level, to have included suggestions for color alternatives. Saying “don’t paint a small room white” is a broad generalization for folks overwhelmed by choices. Just my opinion, of course.

    Reply
  5. Donna Bartl says:
    March 23, 2024 at 5:07 pm

    What colors ARE best for a small room? I like a warm cozy feel.

    Reply
  6. Shana Rodriguez says:
    October 23, 2024 at 5:06 pm

    I do not agree with the white. White makes a room look bigger and you can add 1 wall with color or use colors you like to accent the room with things like your curtains, pillows etc. Using dark colors on walls of a small room makes a room look much smaller.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

  • Small stone patio at dusk with wooden privacy fence, string lights, bamboo planter, and a wooden table with a mug.
    9 Exterior Ideas That Make a Small Patio Feel Private September 30, 2026
  • Cozy basement living room with a sectional sofa, coffee table, lit candle, warm lamps, and framed art.
    7 Decor Choices That Make a Basement Feel Less Like Storage September 25, 2026
  • Deep blue door frame and baseboards contrasting with cream walls in a sunlit room with herringbone wood floors.
    7 Paint Colors That Make Trim and Molding Pop September 17, 2026
  • A person rubs paste wax onto a polished wooden credenza using a white cloth, near a brush and paint cans.
    5 Types of Furniture You Should Never Paint September 15, 2026

Trending

  1. 1 8 Home Items You Should Throw Away After 50
  2. 2 Want To Be Happy? Throw Out These 8 House Items!
  3. 3 9 Clever Garage Organization Ideas That’ll Free Up a Parking Spot
  4. 4 10 Common Cleaning Mistakes That Promote Germ Growth
  5. 5 10 Best Dollar Store Hacks You Need to Try for Your Home

Newsletter

Weekly DIY tips in your inbox.

Related Articles

Bright foyer with light wood floors opening to a neutral living room with sofa, coffee table, and dining area.

8 Design Mistakes That Make a Home Harder to Sell

Avoid costly design mistakes that hurt home value. Discover 8 proven staging fixes that help…

Read More →
garage

9 Clever Garage Organization Ideas That’ll Free Up a Parking Spot

1. Place Everyday Items on Lower Shelves and Seasonal Items Higher The ideal would be…

Read More →
must know about contractors

Renovating 101: 8 Things Americans MUST Know About Contractors

Read here what you must know about contractors:  You’re thinking about renovating your home, but…

Read More →
leak

10 Signs That There’s a Leak in the House

As much as 10% of homes have, at some point, an undetected water leak that…

Read More →
genius painting tricks

9 Genius Tricks for Your Easiest-Ever Paint Job

1. The paint tray trick The first entry on our list of genius painting tricks…

Read More →
Cleaning Mistake

9 Cleaning Mistakes That Are Costing You Time And Money

How many of these cleaning mistakes do you make? Keeping your home clean is always…

Read More →

12 Things to Buy and Avoid at Home Depot

Here’s a list of things to buy and avoid at Home Depot: Everybody who has…

Read More →
hacks for a warmer house

9 Winter Hacks for a Warmer House Without Turning Up the Heat

Do you know any hacks for a warmer house? During the winter months, your house…

Read More →
moody colors

Painting Your Home in These 8 “Moody” Colors Will Raise Its Worth

What are the best moody colors to paint your walls with?  When you decide to…

Read More →

Crafty Captain

the DIY ship hasn't sailed yet!

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@craftycaptain.com

Explore

  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertiser Disclosure
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Request to Know
  • Request to Delete
  • CA Private Policy

Categories

  • Advice
  • Bathroom
  • Bedroom
  • Crafts
  • Decorations
  • Garden
  • Home Upgrades
  • House
  • Inspiration
  • Kitchen
  • Living room
  • Plants
  • Renovate
  • Style
  • Tips
  • Tools
  • Vintage

© 2026 Crafty Captain. All rights reserved.