| Colours can serve to alter the apparent dimensions of a room. Warm colours (those with a yellow tint) make surfaces appear closer together, while cool ones (with a blue tint) seem to spread them apart. Bright colours make a room look bigger, while dark ones seem to shrink it. Here are a few examples of how this principle can be applied to interior design. |
Light colours increase luminosity and make a room seem bigger. This effect is further enhanced by the use of cool colours. Select light, soft colours like off-whites and pastels to give a breezier, more spacious finish to a room.
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Dark colours make a room seem to shrink. Dark colours absorb more light and make the room look smaller. A warm colour boosts this effect, making the walls seem closer while creating an intimate, cozy setting. |
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To make the ceiling appear lower, apply a darker colour than that of the walls. You can also achieve this effect by painting the top few inches of the wall the same colour as the ceiling. |
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You can make the ceiling appear higher by painting it a lighter colour than that of the walls. |
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The cool
SICO tip
To modify the appearance of a long, narrow room or a corridor, paint the shorter walls a dark (and warm) colour and the longer walls a light (and cool) colour. |
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