• Oftentimes when faced with the challenge of painting a small room, bright colors are assumed to open up a space and make it inviting. Although this is still true, designers have also found alternatives which are equally as beautiful and work just as well to create a welcoming feeling, even in the smallest of rooms. Satin-finish paints, or a satin-finish top-coat paint will help bring all of your colors together and give a soft sheen, opening up the room.
  
  

Neutrals

• It is a common belief that to open up a small room, lighter colors are best. However, darker neutral colors which are painted continuously over chair railings and window sills can create a contemporary and cozy feel. The continuation of the color does not allow for breaks, lengthening the look of the room. Using dark neutrals including dark chocolate, navy blue, grey, beige, mauve, deep violet or dusty green creates an updated, unique style. If you like the idea of using a dark, rich color but feel it would be overwhelming to paint the entire room the same color, use it only on one wall for an accent color.
  
  Light neutrals, such as sand or light beige, give a similar illusion to a beach. Painting the ceiling and floors in matching or complimentary colors with light neutrals helps to add to the effect. Mixed with white furniture and blue accents, you may feel as if you are on vacation.
  
  

White

• The color white is a broad term which can actually refer to dozens of different shades. Whites come in warm and cool tints and should be chosen accordingly. If you have a room that is very sunny with hardwood floors, you may consider a warm white leaning toward a beige tint. However, if you have a room that is refreshing and has green or blue accents, a cool blue which leans toward a gray may be a better choice. White is always fresh and opens up a welcoming space.
  
  

Pastels

• Light pastel colors help to soften the feel of a room and offer a refreshing feel to a room. An alternative to painting all of the walls is to paint only one or two walls a pastel color and the others a white that matches in tint. This offers a splash of color while keeping an open feel to the room.
  
  

Stripes

• If you are having a hard time choosing between two colors, you may be able to use both of them. For rooms that have low ceilings, give the optical illusion of opening up the space vertically with stripes. This can style can be elegant if you choose satin gold stripes alternating with white or ivory, or it can be very funky and youthful if you choose colors such as pink, which looks beautiful alternating with white or even black. The thinner the stripes, the more elegant the statement will be; however 3 to 5 inches is a good range to start with.
  
  An alternative look that also can achieve the same effect is to stripe only one of the walls as an accent, leaving the other walls white or a solid color. If you like the stripes but they seem too heavy, consider mounting a mirror on the striped wall, which will open the space even further.