 Did you know that paint
color can actually alter the dimensions of a room? Well,
it can’t literally do that. But it can alter how
the dimensions are perceived, which is the next best thing.
By taking a cue from fashion, your living space can be
viewed as larger or smaller, taller or shorter.
A light-colored paint will make a small room appear bigger,
for instance. And darker shades will make a large room
seem much more intimate. These types of paint-induced optical
illusions can be used with excellent results in almost
any space.
Try
these simple tips to “adjust” your
own living area:
 1. Raise or Lower the Ceiling
If a ceiling feels too low, bright white can “raise” your
perception of its height. By taking a cue from clothing
designers, adventuresome homeowners can paint their walls
with vertical stripes to enhance the sense of height.
On the other hand, dramatic high ceilings may cause a
living space to feel cavernous. Add a mid-tone to deep
hue on the ceiling to visually lower the height. Another
alternative is to paint horizontal stripes on the walls.
2. Shrink or Expand Rooms
 Just as a dark monochromatic outfit can visually “slim” an
appearance, a monochromatic paint scheme can do the same
in a large space. Choosing darker shade for the walls will
reign in a large room and create a cozy and intimate space.
And, as mentioned earlier, a light-colored paint will make
a small room appear bigger.
Is your room too narrow and long? Just widen it by painting
the shorter walls a deeper color than the longer walls.
If color alone isn’t enough to change the perceived
dimensions, use color combinations to create visual breaks.
Divide your wall space horizontally with a chair rail and
paint the upper and lower portions different hues.
 3. Don’t Forget the Sheen
For both visual and practical reasons, selecting the right
sheen of paint is just as important as the actual color.
Glossier finishes lend greater warmth and depth to surfaces
than do flat paints. For example, a room with white gloss
paint on the ceiling will seem larger than a room whose
ceiling is painted with a white flat paint.
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