My bedroom is small and only has one north-facing window so it gets very little natural light. What paint color would make it feel brighter and bigger?
For a small, dark, north-facing room, you want warm whites or very light warm neutrals. Avoid stark cool whites because north-facing light has a blue cast, and cool white paint in blue light looks gloomy and clinical. Instead, go for whites with warm undertones. My top picks: Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) which has the faintest touch of warmth, Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) which is a creamy warm white that feels cozy, or Farrow and Ball Pointing which has a subtle yellow warmth that counteracts the cool northern light beautifully. Paint the ceiling the same color as the walls or use a pure ceiling white, both approaches make the room feel taller. For the trim, use a satin or semi-gloss finish to reflect additional light. Beyond paint, maximize the natural light you have: use sheer curtains instead of heavy drapes, place a large mirror on the wall opposite the window to bounce light deeper into the room, and use metallic or glass accents that catch and reflect any available light. Avoid dark furniture which absorbs light. Light wood tones and white or cream upholstery will make the biggest difference in a small dark room.
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