Paint Can Change The Look And Feel Of A Room.

How Does Color Change The Feel Of A Room?

Color: A phenomenon of light (such as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects.

 – The Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The Transformative Power Of Color

The above definition is only the first of no less than 20 different definitions of the word color in the dictionary. It’s a simple word with a long, complex attempt at explaining something that has a profound daily influence on our lives. Color literally paints how we see the world and guides our navigation through life. It is tied to our senses and emotions, a hard-wired stimulus into our brains in ways we have yet to fully understand. (Some people, called synthesists, not only see but also smell, taste, and hear colors.)

Have you ever walked into a room and felt your mood change? Warm shades of red, yellow, and orange tend to invite feelings of happiness, energy, and optimism. Meanwhile, cooler hues like blue and green can have a more calming, soothing, and somber effect. Over the years, we’ve learned that color is also a highly effective trigger in marketing. Did you know that 85% of shoppers say it is their primary reason for buying a product? Apparently, red inspires us to reach for our wallets more than any other shade.

Furthermore, studies have shown that color can inspire us to be better workers. Shades of blue can supercharge productivity, while shades of red can enhance our attention to detail. If you’ve wanted to redecorate your workspace, that’s a pretty good motivating argument to present to the boss.

When it comes to design, color is an incredibly powerful tool that can transform a space and dramatically change perspective, not just emotionally but visually. Let’s examine some of the many ways to use paint color to change a room or space’s perspective.

Paint Color Can Change The Impression Of A Room’s Height

Lighter shades can sometimes make things seem further away than they really are, while darker hues have the opposite effect. If you have a room that feels confining, try giving the ceiling a visual lift by adding a fresh coat of paint in a shade that is lighter than your walls.

Conversely, if you have a room with a high ceiling that feels cavernous, you might want to choose a darker paint color than you have on your walls. This can help make the ceiling feel closer. If you have an exceptionally tall wall, you could also “shorten” it by extending your ceiling color about a foot down the wall. Your eye can not easily perceive the line, thus making your ceiling appear lower than it actually is.

Paint Color Can Change The Impression Of A Room’s Size

Tiny rooms can be especially challenging. To make them seem larger, keep your choice of shade very light (white is an excellent choice for this) and paint the walls and the trim in the same shade. This can make the area feel more spacious. Another trick designers use to amplify the appearance of a small space is to use the same wall paint for adjoining hallways and areas. By doing that, the eye is naturally pulled out of the small space to a more collective view, making it seem more expansive. You can also combine those effects with darker-colored furnishings, essentially making the walls “disappear” because you naturally focus on the room’s décor.

If you have an overly large space to make cozier, choose a deep, dark shade for the walls. This can bring those walls in, altering the perspective to make them seem closer, more enveloping, warmer, and intimate. Add to the look by selecting large décor pieces amongst your furnishings to fill up the space further.

Paint Color Can Redefine The Shape Of A Room

Believe it or not, you can also use paint color to augment the perceived shape of a room. Do you have a rectangular room that appears long but is too narrow? You can make the long walls seem shorter by painting them in a light, cool hue and, in contrast, painting the short walls a warmer, darker shade. This can trick the eye and make the space feel less “squeezed” in.

When You Need A Professional Painter, Contact GQ Renovations

Of course, not all paint jobs are created equal. A lot can go wrong with a DIY paint project. From choosing the wrong materials to amateur mistakes to poor technique, the internet is littered with examples of what you should not do. A great paint job requires experience, skill, and special tools. A bad one can have the opposite effect you hope to achieve. It can also waste your time and cost you more money for repairs, making you see red, leaving you feeling blue, and plunging you into a black mood. For optimal results, nothing compares to the services of a top-rated professional painter that stands behind their work. Contact us today for a free estimate.