If you have decided to decorate your apartment, chances are good that you will follow color schemes based on other areas of your home. It is a good idea to think about your own likes and dislikes when choosing colors, and also to consider the layout of your apartment and other features when deciding on color schemes. However, there are times when it may be necessary to choose a color scheme that is not contained within other areas of your home, or is not something that you have ever considered before. In these cases, it can be helpful to turn to small apartment decorating ideas to provide you with a few guidelines to follow.
There are some colors that are better suited to one room in an apartment or condo than they are elsewhere. When choosing colors for your apartment, make sure to keep these factors in mind. Wall colors should generally contrast with adjoining walls, in terms of warmth or coolness. When a room contains one dominant color, it can often be more difficult to achieve contrasting effects, which can result in a neater and more harmonious interior.
Bright colors are often best used in the center of a room. However, they can also be used in the side portions of a space. Bright colors can even be used to break up large walls, as they can brighten the space considerably and reduce the apparent size of the walls. Dark colors, on the other hand, can be used to draw attention to a smaller area. You may find that dark colors, such as black, go better on the walls of a laundry room than a bathroom. Similarly, using earth tones for a kitchen can give the area a much-needed facelift.
The rules for apartment decorating may change slightly if you live in an older home. This is because home decors and furnishings tend to age naturally with time. In this case, you may prefer to go with antiques and vintage finds as these items are likely to be in excellent condition. However, modern furniture and appliances will work just as well in this case. If your apartment is furnished like this, you can add some charm by hanging vintage pieces over an antique sofa.
In terms of mixing colors, keep in mind that the color you choose will either warm or cool a room. Warm colors should be used in rooms where there is more of a focus on relaxation. Cool colors, meanwhile, should be used in areas where you want to focus on action or fun. (You can warm up the atmosphere in a playroom with a splash of color.)
Once you have an idea of what colors to use in your apartment, it’s time to put those colors into a color scheme. This is really easy when you look at color samples in magazines and online. Choose three to four colors from the sample pictures and bring them to your home with you. It’s best to choose neutral colors that can match most decors already in your apartment. You can then mix the remaining colors together.
If you’d prefer to use paint to decorate your walls, take color samples of paint that you like and then select a coordinating color for your walls. Again, you’ll want to use neutral tones so that they won’t clash with the other items in your apartment. Don’t forget to use accent rugs on the floors in accordance with the color scheme. The best part about using paint and wall paints is that you can go crazy with the designs and artwork on them to make your apartment ooze elegance and style.
Finally, remember that you can break all of the color rules, including the ones above, if you want. A black-and-white apartment may be just fine with one throw pillows and a few lamps. On the other hand, a bright red apartment can easily be furnished with red cushions, bold paint and lots of lamps. Just make sure that you are not trying to reach a “balance” between too much color and too little. It’s always best to keep things uniform in an apartment.