Design Tips for Small Spaces: Use of Color

Written by Kim Greene-Liebowtiz, Images by GHNYC

When putting a property on the market, it’s tempting – and common – to go entirely neutral.  These homes show beautifully and give the imaginative buyer a blank canvas on which to project his or her fantasies. Do they dream of a stark, Danish home? A Bohemian lair? A colonial haven? Or does the white represent a modern, up-to-date take on design?  

For example, this before-and-after example shows the difference between the owner’s décor and neutral, staged space, and the difference is so dramatic it is hard to believe these are photos of the same space:

However, it can be hard to imagine how to give a small space character.  At times, color can create an area of visual interest and change the whole feel of a space. It can also give a buyer an idea of what a space will look like with a bold color choice. Worried about the wary buyer? Don’t be – just remind him or her how easy it is to change paint colors. See this before-and-after example:

At other times, color can delineate the purpose of a room, as in a child’s space.

Or, as in this example, a popular and neutral color can be used to showcase a space, providing a touch of character while still leaving the space open to interpretation.

Of course, the single best thing about using color is that it is easily available, inexpensive, and easily altered by the buyer! Whether it is white walls, fire-engine red, or sky blue, color change is only a paintbrush away.

Next up: The reflective items in small spaces

Cheers!