If you are trying to decide the right colours to paint your apartment or condominium, it might be hard to even know where to start. Interior design changes so quickly, it can be tough staying on top of current trends. As well, if you’ve never painted a space like this before, you might not be aware that, since not all condos and apartments are the same, there are things to consider when evaluating the space, namely how large it is and how much light it gets. Different colours expand or compress a room, and their ability to do this can be affected by how much light is in a space. Of course there are no hard and fast rules, and at the end of the day it all comes down to the vision you have for your apartment or condo! With all this in mind, let’s check out some common approaches to painting these spaces, as well as current colour trends, so you can choose the best colours for your apartment or condominium.
Living Rooms, Hallways, and General Rules
In general, it is not common to paint every room in an apartment or condo the same colour. Not only could doing this be a little dull, but each room serves a different purpose. For example, a bedroom should be cozy and relaxing whereas a kitchen should be neat and inspiring. Painting is the perfect opportunity to add a new look to a room, so you should use it to make the vision you have for these rooms come to life. It is likely, and even suggested, that there be a common theme in areas of your home or condo, specifically the entryway, hallways, and living room. There’s a good chance that all of these will be connected and take up a good portion of your home, so different colours between them might be a bit jarring. For these reasons, neutral colours are recommended. Creams, beiges, whites, and light greys are all good choices. They are calming and inviting, which is perfect for entryways and living rooms, and are bright shades that can open up a room. As well, their neutral nature makes them easy to coordinate with almost any colour of decor, and allows them to flow easily to the other rooms of your home which might have a more dynamic colour pallet.
However, if you are looking for a more adventurous colour to be the foundation for your condo or apartment, dark blue has become a popular choice for these spaces. It is rich and sophisticated and does a great job of accenting features such as molding and trim. The depth of colour can actually expand a small space, which would make a smaller apartment seem much larger, while not being too overwhelming. As well, as you will see, earthy tones such as ochre, sage, or deep greens have been growing in popularity for almost any room. They are warm, welcoming, and provide a calming feeling especially in a space with a lot of natural light. However, unlike the neutral tones mentioned above, be sure to plan your decor accordingly if you intend on using dark blue or earthy tones as a prominent colour, because they might not go with everything!
Bathrooms
Regardless of where you live, there is a good chance that the bathroom is the smallest room in your home, and with the mirrors, features and tiling, there might not be a lot of areas to paint, but with the right colours, you can still transform the space. First of all, pale blues and whites work great together in a bathroom, brightening up the room and making it feel light and airy. As well, like with the living area, earth tones such as browns and greens are great choices. For example, light brown walls with deep green cabinetry, or pale green walls and a rich brown cabinetry, give the room a warm, natural, spa-like feel. Finally, don’t be afraid to go dark. Black cabinetry when combined with the white from the counters, walls, and tiles can instantly modernize the room and give it a sleek new look that feels almost retro.
Kitchens
When it comes to your kitchen, as we mentioned, it’s important to be inspired. Navy blue and brown create this effect well. It is sophisticated and modern, and when combined with brass hardware such as cabinet knobs and faucets, will really make a kitchen pop. Earthtones unsurprisingly have also been making an appearance in modern kitchens. Rich green cabinetry with ochre walls is a fun combination, reminiscent of a cottage while still feeling modern. Lastly, it’s a bold choice, but purple has been making a comeback in kitchens recently. When not too deep, a purple paired with white is not overpowering and can create a space that is light and bursting with creativity.
Bedrooms
As for your bedroom, neutral tones are always a good call, specifically creams and light grays. They are bright and inviting while not being too overstimulating, which is perfect for winding down at the end of the day. And as we mentioned, they will go with basically any decor, so you can get creative. If you want to go lighter, white and peach is a fun option. It brings a colourful brightness to a bedroom that is still subtle and it is also very easy to match with. Finally, as with most rooms in your condo or apartment, earth tones fit a bedroom perfectly. Pale green and brown give a rich, warm feeling that is relaxing while still being somewhat bold. Match it with wooden furniture like a bedframe, wardrobe and nightstand to truly complete the look!
These are just a few of the many modern painting trends for apartments and condominiums, and hopefully have inspired you to transform your own living space. And once you’re ready to take on that project, Encore will be with you every step of the way. Our representatives are there to walk you through the process, offering suggestions and answering any questions you have so we can make the vision you have for your apartment or condo a reality. Contact Encore Painting Ltd. today to get your free estimate!