Should you paint the interior of your house before you move into it?

Should you paint the interior of your house before you move into it? That’s a question that lots of homeowners ask. There are two approaches: you can paint now and get your color palette in place, or you can wait and have the chore of moving furniture and painting walls later.

Some people choose to wait so they can get a feel for their new home and how light works with it. Color can make a house a home. It’s a statement about the home itself and the homeowner.

Designers use color to create fun energy, calming moments, and more. Color can change the way a space feels. It can make your home seem larger and open or small and cozy. You get to decide.

If you are moving into a small home, there are ways to increase the visual appearance of your space, even if you can’t increase your actual square footage.

A variety of paint colors can make a room look larger than it is — and feel bigger, too.

By making the right choice, you will give the illusion of more space. That’s the amazing thing about paint. A small breakfast room can suddenly become a large part of an entire kitchen area with thoughtful planning and the right colors.

So, if you are moving into a small home, don’t become overwhelmed or discouraged. Color can solve so much. And when it comes to painting, if you choose to “do it yourself,” it will probably be the most economical part of your move.

If you are unsure about the colors you are working with, talk with a designer. Most designers advise using colors with similar undertones throughout your space to create a sense of flow in an open floor plan.

This doesn’t mean you have to stick to a single color or even a single-color palette. Choosing colors that share warm or cool undertones creates a cohesive look.

Softer hues are more likely to flow smoothly from one area to another. Another popular approach is to use a consistent trim color. This can provide a unifying element that ties different color zones together.

Super Tip: Sherwin-Williams has introduced a free, easy-to-download color expert app to help you choose the right color palette for your entire home. It uses AI technology that offers instant color recommendations. Take a look! You may find the perfect color for every room in your house!

In the meantime, here are nine colors that can make a room look much larger.

Some may not be your traditional colors, but let them serve as a springboard as you look for the right color palette for your new home.

Pale blues Gentle blues offer a soothing, calming touch to any room. The right light or soft blue also works to make a room feel bigger, especially when combined with other light colors on the ceiling and trim.

Dark blues If light blues are not your thing, look at going dark by using a navy and indigo. When used wisely as an accent wall paired with similarly hued colors, these rich tones can heighten the drama of your space, and its sense of space.

Cool Grays in a variety of shades are great replacements for whites. When you are considering room size, opt for a cool shade to add brightness and depth, particularly in rooms that receive a moderate amount of light.

Soft blacks Hard to believe but black has a grandeur that adds an illusion of more size. Soft blacks achieve this too, especially in north-facing rooms where a lack of natural light lessens the appeal of a stark white.

Light greens: For an updated look, opt for a muted sage or moss tone. The perfect light green opens your space while also providing soothing aspects like light blue.

Taupe or Neutral: You won’t go wrong with a neutral color palette that includes the right taupe color. One of the lighter neutrals, taupe has a unique ability to make rooms feel more expansive and adds a subtle hint of color.

Lavender This is not a traditional color. In fact, it is a bold move, but if you keep it muted, lavender will add a breath of fresh air and the illusion of more square feet. Stick to a cooler shade for the feel of more space or warmth if you are looking for coziness.

Blush pink Blush pink is an inspiring neutral. It can feel almost “peach-like” in rooms where natural light is lacking. “Complement it with other, more conservative neutrals like beige and white for balance, and you should end up with a room that feels bigger and brighter than it did before.” (moving.com)

Crisp white. Finally, don’t leave off the right white. Remember, white isn’t foolproof for this purpose. It can look drab, so stick to a crisp hue to keep it bright and airy.

Other Creative Ways to Make a Room Look Bigger

Consider the paint finish. Light colors have an inherent reflectivity, which is why they can make a room feel bigger. Another way to achieve this is to use an eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss sheen instead of a matte. On top of this, consider what your room will be used for. With lots of handprints, you will want a durable paint finish.

Use an Accent wall. This will immediately provide a sense of additional space. You can choose to paint one accent wall or two. Mix it up and paint two in a darker shade and two walls in a lighter shade within the same color family. As a good rule, keep your accent wall (or accent walls) to the longer walls in a room and go lighter with the shorter walls.

Paint the ceiling. Believe it or not, you can add an illusion of height to a room by painting the ceiling a lighter color. This heightens the overall feel of the space. It doesn’t have to be a shade of white, either! Move away from tradition by using a crisp white on the walls and trim with a pop of color on the ceiling.

Don’t pair dark colors with a light trim. This may seem the opposite to everything you’ve done in the past. Pairing dark colors with white or other light-colored trim creates a visual border that can chop up the space and keep it looking small. “Dark-colored trim, however, doesn’t cause a visual barrier and keeps the eye moving around the room, in turn making it feel larger than it really is” (moving.com)

Always consider which direction your windows face Some things that you’ll want to keep in mind when picking and choosing what paint colors and techniques will help enlarge your space include what direction your windows face (east and west will provide you with the most natural light, while north and south will have the opposite effect), as well as what other color accents you have in the room.

Lambert Moving Systems: we’ll get you there! With a remarkable history dating back to 1925, Lambert Moving Systems has established itself as a trusted family-owned and operated business. Over the years, we have built a solid reputation for delivering exceptional moving services to countless satisfied customers.

When you choose Lambert, you are choosing a company that values integrity, professionalism, and the utmost care for your belongings. Call or Schedule an Appointment to experience excellence.