Having a huge, spacious bedroom is what a lot of people dream of. But for many reasons, not everyone can make that dream a reality. Fortunately, if you do have a small bedroom, there are plenty of ways to make the most out of what you have. And decorating with certain colors is one of the best ways to go about it.

Turning a small bedroom into a spacious sanctuary is all about making smart color choices. Even just picking out the right hues can create the illusion of more space, making your room feel open and inviting.

To learn how to make your bedroom look bigger, we tapped Danielle Mathews, co-owner of Reborn Renovations, to tell us the color tips that can make any small bedroom look seemingly bigger.

The lighter, the better.

According to Danielle, “Light colors have an inherent ability to make a room feel more open and airier.” Decorating with pale colors like pale blue, mint green, or beige can keep the room from feeling too cramped.

Plus, they reflect light, which helps create the illusion that you have a bigger space. So if you don’t have a lot of bedroom space, light and bright colors are the way to go.

Incorporate white.

White is one of the most popular colors to decorate a small bedroom. “White walls act as a blank canvas, allowing the eye to travel freely without interruption,” Danielle explains. “It’s a versatile shade that can be paired with pops of color or kept minimalistic for a serene ambiance.”

As previously mentioned, pale colors reflect light, and this is especially true when it comes to the color white. White reflects nearly all the wavelengths of visible light, which is why it looks so bright. And by decorating with it, you can make your small bedroom look a lot bigger and more open.

Embrace ‘soft’ neutral colors.

When trying to make your bedroom look bigger, the lighter the color, the better. But not everyone likes a cooler color palette, and if you’re one of those people, a soft neutral color palette may be a better idea.

Soft neutrals are colors like beige, taupe, or a mix of gray and beige — a.k.a. greige. They can add a cozy feel without making the space feel stifling because they can still reflect light well enough.

“These muted tones create a sense of calm and tranquility while still allowing the room to feel open and inviting,” Danielle says.

Play with pastel.

Pastel colors are perfect for when you want to add just a little bit of color to your bedroom but don’t want to overdo it.

For example, Danielle notes that “soft pinks, mint greens, or pale lavenders can add a gentle pop of color while maintaining an airy and spacious feel.”

On top of that, they keep the room light and bright so that your room not only feels more open but also happy and cheerful.

Colors To Avoid

Now that you know how to make your bedroom look bigger, it’s important to learn which colors can do the opposite.

According to Danielle, “Dark, saturated colors like deep reds, navy blues, or rich purples can make a room feel smaller and more confined.” So the next time you’re thinking about painting your bedroom a darker color, you may want to reconsider.

But beyond just solid colors, certain patterns and prints can make your bedroom look smaller, too. “Additionally, bold patterns or busy wallpapers can create a visually cluttered and overwhelming effect.”

These choices can shrink the perception of space, making your bedroom feel more closed-in than it actually is. So if your goal is to open up your bedroom, integrating dark colors and unique wallpaper patterns will likely do more harm than good.