Colorplan

Best Paint Colors for Small or Dark Rooms

In a small or dim room, choose a color that reflects plenty of light (LRV around 65 to 85) with a gentle warm undertone, so it doesn't go gray. Very bright whites can look flat in low light; a soft off-white or light greige often looks better. Good places to start: Swiss Coffee (Benjamin Moore), Pale Oak (Benjamin Moore), Classic Gray (Benjamin Moore).

How we picked: Light colors (LRV 65 to 85) with a warm or neutral undertone, excluding the brightest whites. Widely used colors come first. Values are from published color data, so check a sample on your own wall before buying.

1. 1. Benjamin Moore · OC-45Swiss CoffeeA very light warm white with a warm yellow undertone. LRV 84; good for whole-house walls and living rooms.
2. 2. Benjamin Moore · OC-20Pale OakA light warm gray (greige) with a warm yellow undertone. LRV 68; good for open-plan living areas and hallways.
3. 3. Benjamin Moore · OC-23Classic GrayA light warm gray (greige) with a warm yellow undertone. LRV 74; good for open-plan living areas and hallways.
4. 4. Benjamin Moore · OC-52Gray OwlA light warm gray (greige) with a warm yellow undertone. LRV 65; good for open-plan living areas and hallways.
5. 5. Sherwin-Williams · SW 7042Shoji WhiteA light warm white with a warm yellow undertone. LRV 73; good for whole-house walls and living rooms.
6. 6. Sherwin-Williams · SW 7551Greek VillaA light warm white with a warm yellow undertone. LRV 80; good for whole-house walls and living rooms.
7. 7. Behr · DC-003Blank CanvasA very light warm white with a warm yellow undertone. LRV 82; good for whole-house walls and living rooms.
8. 8. Farrow & Ball · No.202Pink GroundA light pink with a warm peach undertone. LRV 74; good for bedrooms and nurseries.
9. 9. Sherwin-Williams · SW 6127IvoireA light, muted yellow. LRV 75; good for kitchens and breakfast nooks.
10. 10. Behr · PPU17-09Subtle TouchA light, soft pink. LRV 73; good for bedrooms and nurseries.
11. 11. Behr · PPU5-11Milk WhiteA light warm white with a warm yellow undertone. LRV 76; good for whole-house walls and living rooms.
12. 12. Farrow & Ball · No.2006Great WhiteA light purple with a warm peach undertone. LRV 71; good for dining rooms and accent walls.