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Photo: Michael Grimm

They say painting a small room white can make it look larger, but ask anyone who's ever spent a winter in a bare-walled dorm room how that worked out for them. Instead, follow color consultant Leatrice Eiseman's advice: "Why not have a sense of humor and paint it a bright or deep color?"
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Photo: Douglas Friedman

If you're still worried about overwhelming the space, use a vibrant hue on only one wall and set it off with a white border.
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Photo: Zach DeSart, designed by Celerie Kemble

You don't always have to think big. Colorful accent pillows can be as lively and refreshing as freshly cut flowers—and they don't require water.
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Photo: Thomas Loof, Styling: Tristam Steinberg

When you're working in a room with a lot of natural light, experiment with multiple shades of a single color and see how they look at different times of day, suggests interior designer Antonia Hutt.
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Photo: Aimee Herring

A bright customized static-cling window decal is a clever way to take advantage of natural light in a bathroom while maintaining privacy.
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Photo: Douglas Friedman

"Orange can be difficult to work with if you're using it in a big way," says decorator John Loecke. "But as an accent, it gives the room a lively punch."
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Photo: Thomas Loof, Styling: Tristam Steinberg

Color is something you feel. Bold hues are usually stimulating, but with a soft lighting scheme, they can be soothing as well.
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Photo: Thinkstock

Energize a room with a neutral palette by adding a single colorful item, like a pink bedspread.

Next: A design expert reveals 3 ways to transform any room