1. BRILLIANT WHITE
You might think it's the obvious choice, but brilliant white should be avoided in small rooms, say experts. Even though it has the highest light-reflecting quality of any shade, it can leave a space feeling sterile. 'Many people opt to use bright whites in small rooms, with the aim of making the space feel larger,' says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director, Little Greene. 'However, brilliant white can often be quite stark, with the opposite effect of creating harsh lines for the eye.'
2. BLACK
You can absolutely use rich, dark colors in a small room - but pure dark black can drown a small space. 'If you have a small, dark room, why not embrace it, and play to its strengths,' says Helen Shaw. 'Avoid choosing boring, over-used colors and incorporate rich, bold paint to create instant character, taking a small space from drab to stylish.
3. BRIGHT RED
A bright red hue can be too strong for a small space, creating an environment that could feel too stimulating or stressful. If you want to add a rich hue, try a softer red instead, like a warm terracotta. Farrow & Ball Red Earth or Benjamin Moore Cinnamon are both lovely options. 'Red is quite often a strong vibrant color, that can sometimes overpower small spaces,' says Helen.
4. BLUE WITH GREY UNDERTONES
'Smaller spaces highlight the cooler undertones, so if you want the room to look brighter avoid colors with grey undertones, like some blues,' says Helen Shaw.
5. GREIGE
Greige is another color that has grey undertones, so is likely to be too cool for most small spaces. 'Instead of reaching for a cool hue like greige in a small space, try corals and pink peaches - they're are perfect for making a design statement yet create a rich, warm welcoming feeling.'