How to Paint an Odd-Shaped Room

The color you use in a room can correct an odd shape.


A typical room is a simple rectangle or square shape, and anything other than that can be considered an oddly-shaped room. Your room may have an L-shape, rectangular or semicircular parts in a wall or strange angles. The ceiling may be very high or low or at an odd angle. Even if your room is a typical shape, room that is very small or large or is very long or narrow room can still feel odd. Using the right paint colors can visually manipulate your room to make it more comfortable, and there are many useful techniques.

Changing Focus

A darker color is often good for an accent wall.

Accent walls, when placed well, make it possible to manipulate the focus of the room. An accent wall is a wall in a room that has a different color than the rest of the walls in the room; typically, accent walls use a dark or bold color. This immediately draws the eye to the wall. You can use this to your advantage in an oddly-shaped room by using an accent wall to draw the eye away from odd features of the room. However, this technique is best used in rooms that do not already have any sort of natural focal point and on walls that don't already have a distinct feature, such as windows or doors.

Disguising Architectural Oddities

Using a single color creates flow with odd walls.

For rooms that have odd nooks or an L-shape, creating flow with color is a way to hide the problem. Use a single, fairly light color throughout the room. Neutral colors are also handy for drawing the eye away from the wall and to something else, such as furniture. Using a single color rather than multiple colors helps the walls of the room flow together visually; for best results, use the same color for vents, trim or similar features. This is also a handy technique if you have a ceiling that is at an odd height or angle. Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls will make the two flow together and look cohesive.

Small and Large Rooms

Cool colors are good for a small room.

Paint can also change a room that is the wrong size. For a small room, avoid using patterns or faux painting techniques and keep the walls plain. Light colors will make the room seem larger. Keep the ceiling lighter than the walls to make it appear taller. Cool colors, such as blues or greens, can create the illusion of distance. For a room that is too large, the opposite is useful. Patterns, faux painting and even moldings can make the walls seem closer. Dark colors and warm colors make the room feel cozier and more enclosed. A dark color on the ceiling will make it seem lower than it actually is.

Long and Narrow Rooms

Using different shades can correct a narrow area.

There are several ways to manipulate long or narrow rooms depending upon your needs and the exact layout of the room. Dark colors make walls appear closer, so using a dark color on the small walls in a long or narrow room can help visually correct the shape. Light colors create the feel of space, so using light colors in a narrow room can make it feel more open. Horizontal stripes, while unusual for decorating, make spaces appear wider than they actually are, and vertical stripes make spaces seem taller.

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