The 5 Unexpected Paint Colors That Will Transform Any Dark, Cramped Room
I’ve often heard the simple, go-to advice for making a cramped space appear bigger: paint it white. Homeowners (and sellers) have long relied on this classic hue to craft an illusion of openness for potential buyers. However, nowadays, real estate professionals are recommending more unconventional hues to entice future buyers.
“A common misconception about paint colors is that white walls will make a space feel bigger. For white to work in a cramped space, you need natural light and other natural features. Otherwise, it can look dingy,” mentions Libby Fehsenfeld, home stager and owner of Tralala Interiors.
To help you move beyond white walls and choose the best paint colors to transform any cramped room, we consulted a few leading real estate professionals. Here is their best advice.
Cream
According to the experts, if you’re scared to introduce darker hues, or if your space doesn’t have a lot of natural light, opt for cream, which encourages a sense of serenity, making even the most cramped or dark spaces feel airy and relaxed.
“When a space feels tight or dim, paint is one of the simplest and most cost-effective methods to change how the room is perceived,” says Alicia Rivett, an estates agent at The Agency Beverly Hills.
Rivett recommends Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee. “The shade has the ability to visually expand a room, bounce light beautifully, and create a calm atmosphere that feels anything but cramped.”
Greige
A mix of gray and beige, greige has become a top choice for contemporary homes, particularly in suburban markets.
“Lighter greige tones, like Benjamin Moore’s Classic Gray, have been a game-changer in small suburban homes I’ve sold,” states Nishant Sondhi, founder and managing principal at Sondhi Capital Group, a real estate investment group. “It reflects natural light beautifully and makes tight rooms feel open and inviting. Buyers respond well to it because it’s modern yet warm. It’s the kind of color that instantly makes a space feel fresh and bright.”
Taupe
Real estate professionals tell me this hue helps craft a curated, high-end vibe that speaks sophistication and warmth.
“Taupe is the quiet luxury color that transforms tight spaces. Inspired by the hand-troweled plaster walls of the Proper Hotel in Santa Monica, a tone like Farrow & Ball’s Bone or Benjamin Moore’s Shaker Beige creates that same sun-washed warmth you see in the hotel: a mix of sand, stone, and soft light that expands a room while grounding it in calm,” says Umair Kabani, a Los Angeles-based real estate professional.
“You’ll see this look across Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and the Hollywood Hills, where designers are replacing the crisp whites of the last decade with matte taupe plaster, curved furniture, and natural textures that echo the Proper’s balance of comfort and modern refinement.”
Muted Pink
If you’re ready to embrace deeper, more comforting shades, or if the house you’re trying to sell can support more quirky choices with paints, muted pinks are an unorthodox but powerful choice.
“Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink or Dead Salmon to the rescue!” declares luxury real estate agent Nicole Fazio. “Color comforts. When a tiny space is wrapped with warmth of deep shades, a soft pas de deux with the sun creates the sensation of being hugged. Moreover, the saturation of the pigment in these paints doesn’t constrict the room, it expands it.”
Cool Blues and Greens
Lastly, experts recommend not shying away from introducing actual color, particularly shades on the cool end of the spectrum such as blue and green.
“Don’t be afraid to use some color in a small, cramped space,” Fehsenfeld says. “Cool tones will expand a space, so lean towards cool blues and greens for opening up cramped spaces. Sherwin-Williams’ Serenely (a cool blue) and Sherwin-Williams’ Sea Salt (a cool green) are two good options to expand a cramped space.”