Did you know that colors can actually make a room look larger or smaller?  No, I don't mean just light and dark colors.  Sure a dark color can make a room smaller but did you know that a warm color can also make the room feel smaller?  A cool color makes a room look larger too.... Check this out....

Do you notice how the walls seem to fall back away from you?  If you don't see it, look closer.... feel the walls, if you will.  While many people consider blue to be a 'warm' color because they think it is restful and cozy the fact is that the color is techincally cool.  By definition a cool color has more 'blue' in it....   Cool colors recede, or move away from the eye. 

Ok, now what do you notice about this room?  The brown walls envelope the room.  It is not just because it is a dark color.  It is because the color is warm.  Warm colors tend to draw the eye in, making the walls feel closer.  Warm colors, colors with more 'yellow' in them are moving foward colors.

Ok, so what does all this mean?  Why is it important to know about receding and moving foward colors?  What if you have a really big room that feels cold and unwelcoming?  What if you have a really small room and need it to feel larger?  Use your color knowledge to work for you!

Paint a large room a warm tone and it will get visually smaller.  It doesn't have to be dark, just warm.... The room will envelope you.

Paint a small room a cool color.  The walls will visually move away from you, making the room feel larger....

Now, go have fun with color!!

(*photos are from bhg.com)