Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) come in all shapes and sizes, but even the roomiest “granny flat” has limited square footage compared to a single family home. That’s why color palette decisions become especially important when designing and decorating an ADU interior. The right color choices can visually expand a compact space, while also creating an uplifting mood for inhabitants. When building out or remodelling an ADU, be sure to collaborate with an ADU builder in San Diego who understands small space color psychology.
Every hue and tone has an emotional impact, with some colors boosting feelings of tranquillity and positivity. Here’s an overview of popular paint colors for ADUs and the psychology behind why they work well in small spaces:
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Soothing Hues
Cooler paint colors tend to have a calming, peaceful effect in interior rooms. Soft blues, greens, and purples are excellent color choices for the intimacy of ADUs and tiny home living:
Light blue – Various pale blue tones create a soothing atmosphere reminiscent of relaxing skies and shallow waters. Light blue is a wonderful accent wall color for opening up small rooms.
Sage green – The light green shades found in nature promote balance and restoration in ADU bedrooms and living areas. Sage greens combine nicely with antiquest whites.
Lavender – Soft purple or lilac hues like lavender inspire tranquility and wind-down time before sleep. Use lavender colors sparingly to add accents.
Neutral paint colors like tans, taupes, and beiges also provide gentle, calming backdrops:
Straw – Natural hues like straw yellow help connect interior rooms to the outdoors. Combine with nature trims.
Dove gray – Mixing black and white to achieve a dove gray backdrop creates a soothing zen space, with plenty of room for color accents.
Bright Accents
While lighter neutrals and pastels make the best base background colors for small ADUs, it’s still beneficial to have some bold and uplifting bright accents. Using vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges in moderation perks up compact rooms:
Sunflower yellow – Warm golden yellow hues energize ADU spaces reminiscent of the shining sun. They look lively with white trim details.
Fire engine red – Sparking passion and vibrancy, a single red focal feature like seating or wall art enlivens an otherwise neutral space.
Tiger orange – Friendly, bright orange adds playful positivity without being overbearing. Orange makes a fun front door color.
Smart use of color contrasts also helps small rooms feel more expansive. Pair deeper hues on some walls with light neutrals on trim and ceilings. Contrasting colors help create dimensions and textures.
Multi-Tone Palettes
One color trend that works beautifully in ADUs is selecting a multi-toned paint palette for walls. Using 3-4 harmonious hues of a color and painting each on a different wall visually expands the sense of space better than a single tone.
Custom mix groups of compatible blues, greens, taupes, or grays for rich multi-dimensional color schemes. Add some white ceilings, neutral floors, and possible vibrant accent furnishings over the multi-tone foundation.
Nature-Inspired Palettes
In addition to calm, soothing hues and vibrant accents, another color trend that translates beautifully to compact ADU interiors is drawing inspiration from nature. Choosing a palette of layered earth tones, leafy greens, sky blues, and warm natural wood tones connects inhabitants to the outdoors. Some specific nature-inspired color concepts include:
Forested palette – Layer shades of mossy green, tree bark brown, fog gray, and meadow yellow throughout an ADU to create an organic, woodland vibe even in tight urban settings.
Sand and sea – Combining soft ocean blues, sandy tans, seashell whites, and driftwood grays calls to mind relaxing beaches and open skies.
Found objects – Basing a color scheme off of pebbles, dried foliage, feathers, old wood, or other natural items you connect with makes for an intrinsically meaningful, grounded ADU interior environment.
Incorporating color psychology for harmony, positivity, multi-dimensions, and sightlines transforms basic ADUs into uplifting compact homes. Consult ADU construction pros for assistance designing an ideal color plan tailored to your space and lifestyle.
