Choosing the Right Paint Color for a Small, Dark Living Room — Simply White by Benjamin Moore

When we first moved into our townhouse ten years ago, this living room became our very first DIY project. Revisiting this refresh now—while repainting the same walls in the same color, Simply White by Benjamin Moore—felt like the perfect time to share the story of how a paint choice transformed a compact, dark space.

Color dramatically changes how a room feels. Before moving in I promised myself I’d live with the existing paint for a while before choosing a new color. That resolve lasted about five minutes.

One of the first things we tackled was what we jokingly called “the racing stripe” — a 1990s ceiling feature that ran around the perimeter and made the room feel squeezed. Even though it was neatly painted, it visually closed in the space.

I grabbed leftover ceiling paint (White Heron by Benjamin Moore) and painted over the stripe. Removing that band immediately opened the room up visually, but another problem remained: the space still felt very dark, even on bright days—something common in our rainy West Coast winters.

Because there’s no overhead lighting in the living area, evenings were especially dim despite using every lamp we owned. We knew we wanted white walls to brighten and visually enlarge the room, but “white” isn’t a single color—there are hundreds of whites to choose from, each with different undertones.

I brought home many paint samples that looked perfect in the store, only to see them read differently on our walls. The trick is that natural and artificial light, room size, and adjacent finishes all change how a paint color appears.

To make a confident choice, I borrowed large paint swatches and taped them in different parts of the room. I watched them at various times of day and held my inspiration pillow against them to see how well the tones worked together. Each white had subtle but important differences—some read too cold, others too creamy or beige.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but ultimately I chose Simply White by Benjamin Moore. It struck the right balance: warm enough to avoid a sterile look, yet clean and bright without any muddy or beige undertones. Simply White harmonized with our furnishings, trim, and the overall light in the room.

With paint in hand we squeezed furniture together and began the refresh. Painting a small space brings unique challenges—furniture gets moved and tripped over all day—but the visual payoff was immediate and worth the effort.

Here’s a simple before-and-after comparison to show the difference:

Before (Benjamin Moore Natural Linen):

After (Simply White, Benjamin Moore):

The room now feels lighter without becoming cold or clinical. Simply White brightens the space while complementing warm accents and soft textures, making it ideal for a small living room that needs both light and comfort.

One Room Challenge To Do List

1. Change out light fixtures. (One done, one to go.)
2. Paint the bizarre brown racing stripe around the perimeter of the room’s ceiling out.
3. Paint out the dreadfully dark builder’s beige color.
4. Add some feature walls of interest in the dining area.
5. Figure out smart storage solutions.
6. Re-design the entryway closet for better function and style.
7. Hang art to personalize the space.
8. Find lighting solutions to brighten the room both day and night.
9. Consider new seating (sofa/chairs) as budget allows.
10. Choose a new rug to anchor the living area.

More Paint Color Tips

Choosing the right paint color takes testing, patience, and attention to light. My top tips: test large swatches, view colors at different times of day, compare swatches near your furniture and textiles, and avoid deciding based only on store lighting. If you want a warm yet bright white for small, dark rooms, look for whites with subtle warm undertones rather than obvious yellow or beige.

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