Problem Areas Fixed with Paint Color

Making small spaces look larger
Pale colors tend to recede visually (move away from you), so the lighter the color you choose for your walls and your floor, the larger your space will appear.
Cool colors such as blues, greens and purples also appear to recede, making small spaces visually appear more open and spacious. Shiny surfaces can help you expand space even more, which is definitely something to remember when selecting paint sheens.
Tip: Use deep, warm colors to make a large, lifeless dining area seem more intimate. Warm colors not only make large rooms appear cozier, but also can help to stimulate the appetite!

Patterns are a wild card
Patterns with a strong directional feel (stripes, for example) can also help to visually expand your space. Vertical stripes tend to make rooms seem taller, while horizontal stripes make rooms appear longer. On the other hand, small dense patterns (especially in dark colors) can make a room feel smaller.
The same palette trick. To make a small apartment or home seem larger, use the same palette of colors throughout, but vary how you use them.
Tip: If using two different colors for your walls and trim, try repeating the colors in the connecting room, but use the trim color on the walls, and the wall color on the trim.

Corridor clipper.
Do you have a long, boring corridor that seems never-ending? Paint the far wall in a deep, warm color and it will magically appear to shorten.
Tip: To give a corridor a more spacious look, paint it with light, cool colors. To make it look even longer, mount a tall mirror at the end, making the space appear to go on forever.
Raising the roof. Got a ceiling that's too low for comfort? Paint it a shade or two lighter than the walls.

Tip: Install crown molding around the perimeter of the ceiling, and paint it in a darker color than the ceiling. It will help to draw the eye upwards.
Make Architectural Features "Pop". Do you have an interesting archway, column, or molding work you would like to highlight? Try painting it in a color that contrasts (see The Creative Power of the Color Wheel feature) with the walls, and it will suddenly leap into focus.

Tip: For a contemporary industrial look, try painting pipes, metalwork and ducts with contrasting paint colors, and make them look like sculptural art objects! Look around—you'll see that this is a technique used in many former warehouse spaces that are now trendy shops and restaurants.

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