Making Apartments Seem Larger

Apartment Dwellers – Colors Can Actually Make a Space Seem Larger

If you are an apartment dweller in small quarters, consider that the colors you use on your walls can actually make a small space appear larger. A great way to make a room feel bigger and draw the eye down to create a sense of space is to create one awesome accent wall.

What is an Accent Wall?

An accent wall is exactly what the name implies – a wall painted a different color than the rest of the walls to accent the room. You can choose from a rainbow of cool colors to create your own unique accent wall.

Isn’t it True that Dark Colors Make a Room Look Smaller?

When you use dark colors on all your walls in a small space, it absorbs the light in the room and makes it appear even smaller. The exception to this rule is an accent wall, which is specifically used to incorporate darker, livelier colors into your living space without taking away the light and spaciousness. In fact, because the eye is drawn to the accent wall, your living space will suddenly seem bigger.

Try dark and vibrant colors to create an exciting accent wall in your apartment and create a mood around you when you are in to the room. For example, cool colors such as blue and green are ideal for a relaxing room while warm colors such as yellow and red are suitable for rooms where animated activity occurs.

Choose a wall with some type of focal point so you can accentuate one of the best features of your small living quarters. Consider using a wall with dramatic artwork, a fireplace or a wall that has an unusual shape.

What Makes an Accent Wall Convenient for Apartment Dwellers?

Unlike changing carpeting or fixtures, which can cost you money when you move out of an apartment, using paint to recreate your space is a temporary fix that can be changed back if you move out of your residence in the future. With this in mind, an accent wall is the ideal way to make your little apartment feel like a palace – after all, you can just paint is back to the original color when you leave.

If you are looking to add relevancy and interest to your apartment, why not create your own unique accent wall? According to Mary McMurray of Art First Colors Architecture, “In many rooms you don’t have a sense or architecture or style… creating an accent wall is a simple way to provide vibrancy and a sense of place.”

©2007, Kathy Burns-Millyard