Dr Dulux: Three Interior Decorating Dilemmas: Small Bathrooms and Awkwardly Shaped Rooms

Not all decorating projects are straight forward, and some are trickier than most. But when help is needed, help is at hand from Dr Dulux. From problems painting radiators to small bathroom paint ideas, here you’ll find expert advice and inspiration you need.

Get creative to create space

Q: How can you use paint to make awkwardly shaped rooms, low ceilings or small bathrooms feel more spacious?

Idea #1

Pick pale shades

If you’re trying to make a low ceiling feel higher, light hues, such as Tranquil Dawn, are the best option, rather than cosy dark tones. However, adding height is about more than colour, it’s also how you use it. 

Rather than painting the walls and ceiling in two shades, use the same for both. This stops the eye from being drawn to the division between the two, making the ceiling appear higher.

Idea #2

Find the focal point

Awkwardly shaped rooms usually have one thing in common, and that’s broken sightlines that make the space feel disjointed.

Instead of struggling against this separation, celebrate it by defining the different areas with colour. Using paint to add focal points will help to ease the transition from one area to another and give each zone a clear purpose.

Blur the boundaries

Another trick to try in an unconventionally shaped room is an ombre effect. This works in the same way as vertical stripes in that it helps a room to feel wider, while the graded colour visually raises the ceiling height. As only the lower part of the wall will be dark, aim to choose a bold shade such as Copper Blush. 

This technique can be especially effective in a bedroom where the bands of colour can serve as a painted headboard, or in a multifunctional room, such as a lounge with a dining area.

Idea #3

Make an entrance

Hallways have a tendency to be narrow and gloomy, but there’s no reason why they can’t feel wide and welcoming. Painting hallways can make a huge difference to your home with a clever use of colour and a few design tricks.

First, create a blank canvas with the right paint. Dulux Light+Space includes light reflecting particles that will make the whole space feel brighter overall.

Next, paint sections of the hallway in different colours, which will help to break up its long, narrow appearance. This could be an arch over a console, a strip running the length of the wall or even the ceiling in an uplifting shade like Mineral Mist on White Mist. The idea is to draw the eye along the length of the corridor rather than focus on the proximity of the walls. 

Another option to help distract from the narrow aspect of the walls is to paint the floor or doors leading off from the hallway in a darker shade. This helps create a pathway through the narrow space and defines its features. Painting hallways can be more creative than you think!

Idea #4

Be smart with how you use colour

If you have a small bathroom it’s easy to think you have to paint it white to make it feel more spacious. However, as long as a bathroom is well lit, you can use colour in the same way as in any other room. In fact, we have some lovely bathroom themes and colour inspiration for you here.

Be brave with small bathroom paint ideas. Consider darker shades such as slate grey, rich purple or deep blue. They’ll add depth to help a small bathroom feel cocooning and, paired with crisp white ceramics, create a dramatic effect. Adding some trendy accessories or making a feature of the skirting boards can bring a bathroom to life without going over the top. Take a look at three of our favourite bathroom décor ideas here.

Or why not try painting just the upper or lower half if you’re not sure about covering whole walls in colour? Soothing tones, such as Teal Touch, plaster pink and earthy mustard work well.