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I need help painting my bedroom. I would like to paint one color on the top 1/3 of the walls, and another on the bottom 2/3's. Which would be best for a small room with a white ceiling? Darker color on the top 1/3 or bottom 1/3?

If this were my room, Michele, I would start with my darkest color on the bottom 1/3 and then move in thirds up to a lighter color on the top third. I would stay in the same color family, moving up the paint chips from darker to lighter.

I don't favor a 2/3, 1/3 situation b/c it sounds unbalanced to me. Personally, I don't believe you'd be happy with it. In addition, I wouldn't use significantly different shades. I'd probably stick to lighter shades, in general - given your white ceiling.

Another thing to think about - you might consider smudging* the colors together where they meet, instead of taping off a severe line.

Good Luck!

*ETA: Thinking about this - blending might be a better word to use. You could do this by using multiple rollers and only applying minimal paint at the seams - then using another roller to blend the two colors together. A rag or even brown butcher paper might work well, too.. This way, the eye won't stop at each of the seams/tape lines.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AguaBella,

Welcome. I too would favor the thricolor in gradated hue values from the same chip w/ the darker hue on the bottom and the lightest on the top. This will create wide horizontal bands that will visually enlarge your room. Factor in the flooring coloration and the fabrics (bedding/drapes). The latter can give you cues to a scheme if used in a print. A color pulled from the print (esp. the least visible of colors) is often a good candidate for the walls (assuming all other elements, esp. lighting jives).


If the wide horizontal bands appeal to you, you can use painter's tape to mask off horizontal lines that were established via a laser level or snapped chalk line. When painting is completely dry between two bands, remove the tape and a white line (assuming your walls are now white) will appear.