Do a Dark Floor & Light Walls Make a Room Bigger?

Flooring Choices

• Avoid black flooring because this is simply too dark for a room that needs space creation; instead install warm tones of dark flooring such as espresso-stained hardwood or laminate or dark tiles in shades of deep brown or mahogany. Cherry, another dark wood, also has warm tones and works in rooms that must maximize the appearance of space.

Paint Choices

• Select white, cream or beige walls to open that space; these colors work best in giving off a gracious space effect. Lime green, bright yellow, light cherry red (a soft, warm tone) and the cooler tones of light burnt orange and soft purple also work in a smaller space. Paint walls white or cream in the very smallest of spaces, and add another light yet bright color as an accent wall. Accent walls also create the contrast that maximizes the appearance of space, while giving dimension and additional style to the room.

Lighting

• Use sheer curtains and let in plenty of natural light because the more light a room receives, the bigger it appears. Weave lots of lamps and installation lighting into the room for the darker periods of the year as well as the nighttime.

Accessories and Artwork

• Strategically use accessories and artwork, combined with your paint and flooring choices, to open a room and make it seem spacious. Keep minimalistic accessories, such as modern and functional candle holders and vases, along with plenty of storage in the space. Storage hides clutter and keeps the essentials at use and the nonessentials at bay. Larger artwork in a smaller space also makes it appear larger -- prints, original artwork and wall hangings in bright colors work for space-maximization purposes.