Walls painted taupe visually
connect the dining are to the adjoining living room.

Connect with Color

One of the greatest worries inhibiting people decorating small spaces is the use of colors. The urban legend of color making a small room look smaller is based on just a tiny bit of fact that's been blown way out of proportion. Color is one of the best ways to anchor a room, and to define it. Let's look at several ways to use color wisely in small spaces.

Dissolve the lines between two rooms by continuing a single color theme through both.

While this technique is clearly applicable to rooms that open to each other -- a kitchen to a family room, for example -- it's effective for rooms that simply fall in the same line of sight.

Living rooms with an arched opening to the dining room, kitchens that flow into dining rooms, bedrooms with a small office attached can all benefit from sharing color schemes. If you've got a favorite color combination, consider using it in all the public spaces in a small house -- living room, kitchen, dining area, hallways, and bathrooms -- to maintain a visual flow throughout the house.

Summer Color Slide Show