Small-space dwelling is a fact of life for a lot of us. Decorating these tiny rooms, however, can be a tricky business. But never fear: Brit + Co is our name, and solving decor dilemmas is our game. With the help of Dutch Boy Paint, we’ll take you through the two-day makeover of a pint-sized living room, one simple solution at a time.
It’s likely you’ve been told to use light and bright tones in small spaces. It turns out, many decor experts actually contend that dark walls can make a room feel more expansive. We thought we’d try our hand at this theory by utilizing dramatic jewel tones.
We have to say, we’re pretty enamored with the results.
How dreamy is this deep sapphire blue wall? Wave Runner 135-7DB reminds us of summertime dusk and Greek island architecture. We’re big fans.
Now, onto the how-to!
Materials + Tools:
- Dutch Boy® Paint in the Twist & Pour® container (we chose Wave Runner 135-7DB)
- paint tray + liner
- roller frame
- roller cover
- angled paintbrushes
- stir stick
- dropcloth
- ladder (not pictured)
- roller extension pole (not pictured)
Psst — Dutch Boy® Paint in the Twist & Pour® container is a paint and primer in one, so there’s no need to purchase additional primer.
DAY ONE: PAINT
Remove all wall decor, then tape off all baseboards, electrical outlets, and window frames. We like to create a sort of “awning” with our tape, rather than pressing it flush against the wall, to catch any stray paint splatter. Place a drop cloth on the floor directly below the walls.
Open the Dutch Boy® Paint in its Twist & Pour® container. No screwdrivers, hammers, or quarters required for these paint containers — they’re twist-off, which is downright genius.
If the paint has slightly separated (this is normal), then use a stir stick to blend until consistent. Pour into a paint tray with a liner.
Place a paint roller cover on your roller frame, then evenly coat the roller in paint.
Time to paint! When coating the wall, paint in slightly diagonal strokes, such as an “N” or “W” shape. This will help blend each paint stroke together.
If you find yourself unable to reach the top of the wall with your roller…
… don’t follow our lead. As professionals, we officially recommend using an extension pole or ladder, but this somewhat inefficient method can be fun too :)
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Paint hard-to-reach spots, like corners and electrical outlet borders, with a smaller angled paintbrush.
Let the first coat of paint dry, then add a second coat. Let this second coat dry overnight. And just like that, you’re done painting!
DAY TWO: DECORATE
Pro Tip: Mirrors are a small space’s best friend. Especially with dark walls, the more light reflection, the better. Mirrors *always* make a room feel more spacious.
Opt for statement furniture that is a similar tone to your walls. Monochromatic furniture will help your eye move easily around the room while blending in. Even though this is a fairly big couch, its similar hue and thin features make it a smart choice for a small space.
Optional: While decorating, wear an outfit that matches your room’s color palette ;)
Your furniture doesn’t have to match — but as you deviate, keep one common decorative thread. For tiny rooms, we lean toward pieces with thin features rather than bulky structures. Mid-century modern styles are generally a safe bet.
Utilizing vertical storage is the key to keeping your room feel spacious while avoiding clutter. Here, we combined thin lines, pops of color, *and* storage to add some personal touches to the room.
Like mirrors and windows, lucite tables help light travel through the space. These stackable tables work double-duty — you can easily condense them into one, and move them about the room.
Textiles, textiles, textiles! We finished off the room with jewel-toned pillows and throws, as well as a hot pink rug. Floor pillows are a great solution for additional seating in a pinch, and they can easily be stowed away when you don’t have company.
Et voilà! After adding a fiddle leaf fig plant, a cheeky neon sign, and a few other personal touches, the room is complete.
Two days, two coats of paint, and a few clever tricks later, the room is totally transformed — without feeling cluttered.
Do you know of any other small-space hacks? We’d love to hear! Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo.
Production + Styling: Maddie Bachelder + Kayla Haykin
Photography: Kurt Andre
