When it comes to that small room in your house, you have three options. You can remodel your entire house, you can move out, or you can try out some new paint colors. Trust us, new paint colors are the easiest (and the least expensive). But there's still an art to picking wall paint that will create the illusion of extra space. So here are some painting ideas from the pros (that's us). And just for fun, we've added some other, non-paint related interior design ideas too.

The Ceiling is the Limit

Ceilings are often neglected, but they might be the key to opening up the space in your room. That's because painting your ceiling can make the room look taller. You can achieve this by trying a few different things. Simply painting the ceiling a bright color is often enough to "raise the roof" in your room (sorry, we had to). Looking for something a little darker up top? You can still use a dark shade on the ceiling if you extend that color 12-14 inches down the wall. While you're up on the ladder, consider taking down that old light fixture. Replace it with a few compact lamps; this will distribute light more evenly around the room, making it appear larger.

Sharper Shades

There's an old adage that says white is the only way to make a room look more spacious. We'd argue that wall paint in sharper colors can accomplish the same thing, but in a way that's a little more fun. The key is to combine colors, and to make use of negative space in between. Mark McCauley, author of Interior Design for Idiots, explains that "color combinations with negative space will enhance the [room's] clarity and openness." And, speaking of shade, to further open up the room, try drapes of similar color, or even no drapes at all.

Don't Move the Furniture Back (Yet)

After a long day of painting, nobody feels like moving all the furniture back into place. There's good news - you don't have to! Well, not all the way back into place, anyway. Leaving several inches of space between your furniture and your walls can create the illusion of a more open room. Experiment with it - try placing different pieces at different distances, or even angles.

These are just a few of the interior design ideas we've got for making rooms look more… well… roomy! If the room looks a little dark, see our article on choosing wall paint colors to brighten dark or poorly-lit rooms. For more suggestions, or if you need a little help with your project, give us a call at 1-888-PAINTING. We proudly serve the Jacksonville, FL area. Our licensed painters are anxious to hear your vision for your home, and they'll be glad to help you bring it to life!