Is it a myth? Hmmmm... I would have to say it's really yet another color concept taken from the two-dimensional world of fine arts that does not apply to three-dimensional architectural color.

The idea is to use light and dark, value, to create two-dimensionally the sense of depth and dimensional that is inherent and naturally defines our three-dimensional world. Our vision system is three-dimensional as well. We see from two points of view at the same time so we see things three dimensionally.

Because of that factor, painting a room, structure, the built environment is very, very different from trying to duplicate and express what is experienced in the three-dimensional world via painting on canvass or other artistic modes. i.e. The color strategies that make for a good painting do not contribute to what is needed to purposefully color the built environment so it is humanly supportive AND aesthetically pleasing at the same time. But people like to think they do. In our society we, by default, have turned to various creative fields like fine arts, graphic design, and interior design for color knowledge for help in applying color to structure. That is a mistake.

Color can't shrink a room any more than it can add square footage and "expand the room". At this point, the nursery rhyme that dark colors advance and cool colors recede is so ingrained that we need to stop, experience, absorb, and then articulate the affects we feel from color in order to determine our real color truths - separate those truths from all the ridiculousness out there in blogs, on websites, ebooks, and whatever. Lots of people feature themselves as color design experts but really aren't. As a result, there's a bizarre repetitiveness to "color tips and tricks" that these expert color designer types can recite but aren't able to substantiate or explain. "Color tips and tricks" like dark colors shrink a room are a dime a dozen and usually emptier than a bottle of Jack under a drunk.

Real color truths, authentic, individual color truths can be expressed and termed as "tolerances". And that's what we need to work thru and examine for your space. The room is generously sized. Does anyone really believe two gallons of red paint can "shrink" the volume of a 14 1/2 ft. X 20 ft space? If so, then I have some magic beans priced to sell.

When it comes to strong color and dark color it really is a matter of individual tolerance. The walls of a three dimensional space with strong and/or dark color could be described by some people as closing in and overwhelming the space. But does that really translate to "dark wall colors WILL make a room feel smaller" and conversely "light wall colors WILL make a room feel bigger"? I don't think it does.

It simply describes an individual perception and response to strong, dark wall colors. And that's what you have to determine. What do you feel your response will be to strong, dark color on the walls of your 14 1/2 ft x 20 ft room? Maybe your answer isn't that you'll feel overwhelmed and closed in by red walls. Maybe for you it will define your space so it feels cozy, homey, finished, sophisticated, complete.

Funcolors--thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I am still weighing the decision, but don't want to live with this tan color much longer. It does not do anything for the sofa. If you have any pics of barn red family rooms, please post. You really are a great help to those of us who are paint challenged.

Am I the only fb junkie looking for the 'like' button? Thank you, funcolors, you are great :)

Aww, thanks for the thank yous. The intention of a fb 'like' is as good as the real thing. ;)

I'm sure there are pix of red family rooms, I just don't have any.

Can you google red living room images? might help. I have seen 2 living rooms that were red that I really liked - but it is your room:)