The color you pick for your floor is an important design element of any room that can impact the perception of space. But when it comes to selecting a floor color for a small space, it's more important to get it right. Even if you've selected the perfect wall color, tripping up with a jarring floor color could lead to a room that feels cramped and gloomy. 'Generally, darker colors tend to make spaces look smaller, while lighter colors create a sense of openness and airiness,' says Asli Uluaydin, a project director in AvroKO's New York studio.
Additionally, incorporating lighter elements in the room, such as furniture, wall colors, or accessories can help balance the visual impact of a darker floor color and prevent the space from feeling too confined. For some designers, instead of color, it's pattern that's the big factor in creating an illusion of space. 'I actually think the style of flooring is far more important,' says designer Emily Henderson. 'Research what is common so it looks natural and then you can play from there. Is it a herringbone pattern, with wide long wood planks? Go look for inspo you love!' To get to the bottom of the optimum floor colors for making your small living room, bedroom or kitchen feel bigger, we speak to the color experts and interior designers in the know.
