What Colors Can be Used to Decorate a Small Ranch Home?

Recessive Colored Walls

• Some colors leap forward, and other colors push back. Cool colors (blue, green and purple) are recessive, meaning they push back walls and open up space. To create a light and airy space in your small ranch house, paint the walls in cool, peaceful colors, such as light gray-blue, light blue, sage green and muted eggplant.

Vibrant-Colored Accessories

• Use vibrant-colored accessories (curtains, pillows, blankets and towels) to detract attention from your small spaces. Warm colors, such as copper, red, and accents of deep, dark yellow, add a decorative contrast to the room, especially if you've painted the walls in light, cool colors. These accent colors also dress up the space, making it look bright and cheerful.

Retro

• Ignore the fact that your house is small, and try to capture some of the naivete and idealism of the time period that your house best represents. Decorate in a fashion consistent with the 1950s or 1960s with bright, light colors such as teal, light pink and baby blue. Accent the room with silver or gray, or deep, rich reds and blues. Match the color scheme to the furniture and accessories by purchasing vintage items.

Colors to Shrink The Space

• Embrace the smallness of your space, and emphasize the warmth and love you hope your home to have. Ranch homes commonly are family homes, and warm colors are suitable for these types of houses. A yellow kitchen, a warm brown living room and a family dining room decorated in a soft, dark red are all perfect examples. These colors turn small into cozy and make the space feel intimate.