Simple PAINT ideas

Try these easy tricks to instantly give a sense of space in even the tiniest of rooms

- TAMARA KELLY

Never underestimate the power of paint. More than merely offering a change of colour, how you use paint can be equally as transformative to enhance and improve any room - it's just about knowing how. From two-tone walls to colour-drenching techniques and using alternative shades for ceilings, there are so many creative ways to make a small room look and feel bigger.

1 ADD COLOUR TO CEILINGS

When it comes to ceilings, it’s usual to opt for white paint. But experts recommend looking for alternative shades to elevate the appearance of the room. 'Many of us paint ceilings white out of habit, which can often make a space look smaller, drawing the eye to the shape and scale of the room,' explains Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene.

Instead, take the colour from walls all the way up to the ceiling. '[It] is a great choice to alter the feel of a room, whether using dark shades to achieve that cosy oasis or lighter colours to create a bright, airy space,' says Crown colour specialist Kathryn Lloyd.

+ Matt emulsion in Dirty Peach, Dirty Red and Dirty Yellow, £28 for 1ltr, all YesColours

2 LAYER METALLIC FINISHES

Metallic surfaces are reflective, which can help to bounce light around a smaller space and make it instantly feel brighter. ‘Layering metallic paint alongside a flat matt emulsion will make the colour pop and stand out, as well as create depth in a room,’ says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown. ‘Metallic paint will also work well in smaller rooms such as cloakrooms.’

+ Crafted by Crown lustrous metallic finish in Entice, £24 for 1.25ltr, Crown

3 GO FOR COLOUR DRENCHING