What are the best paint colors for a small bedroom?
Colors that expand space
Light colors with high Light Reflectance Values (LRV) reflect more light and make walls feel farther apart. Soft whites, off-whites, pale grays, and light blues or greens are excellent choices because they keep the room feeling bright and airy.
Cool colors like light blue and green tend to recede, which can make a small room feel larger. Warm colors like beige and soft yellow can also work if they are light enough, but they may feel cozier rather than expansive.
Tips for small bedrooms
Consider painting the ceiling and trim the same light color as the walls to blur the boundaries and make the room feel taller. Using a satin or eggshell finish on walls can also help reflect light.
If you want a pop of color, use it in small doses on an accent wall or in accessories. But keep the overall palette light and cohesive to avoid chopping up the space.
- Benjamin Moore White Dove (soft white)
- Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt (light green-blue)
- Behr Silver Drop (light gray)
- Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (light greige)
- Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed (soft blue-green)
Common mistakes
- Painting a small room in a dark color without enough light, which can make it feel like a cave.
- Using too many different colors, which can make the space feel cluttered and smaller.
- Forgetting that ceiling color affects perceived height; a dark ceiling can lower the room.
