Apartment Decorating: Colors to Avoid

The decorating colors you choose can make or break your apartment’s décor. Because of their typically small size, it is important to avoid choosing the wrong paint color. However, this same rule is true for loft apartments and those with narrow or choppy floor plans. Below are some suggestions of colors to avoid using in your apartment’s décor.

Dark or Muddy Colors

Using dark or muddy looking colors on your walls will make your apartment look smaller. Additionally, muddy colors, or those colors that are mainly brown-based will not only make the apartment smaller, but also dingier and dirtier. Also avoid using these colors in larger pieces of furniture, such as a sofa. While a darker colored fabric may conceal more dirt, it will overwhelm a small room. However, do not hesitate to use darker-stained furniture, as the color can be balanced by using lighter colored accents.

Very Bright Colors

While you may want to put a pop of very bright colors in your apartment, do not decorate mainly with bright colors. Bright yellows, reds, greens and other neon colors will make your apartment looked dated and overwhelming. Use these colors sparingly in accent pieces such as pillows, picture frames or floral arrangements.

Don’t See Red

It is extremely difficult to decorate using red-based colors. Every red object or fabric will consist of different amounts of mixed dyes, making some appear more orange, black or pink. Because of this, it is nearly impossible to get red items to match each other or a painted red wall. Additionally, red walls are extremely difficult to pain. Often, using red on the walls takes multiple coats and even then there is no guarantee it will be uniform.

Avoid Black Based Décor

It may be impossible to avoid using black in your apartment’s décor, but as much as possible try to blend the color into your other furniture and decorations. Much like reds, black colors are never the same tint and are therefore difficult to use as a main color in any apartment. However, black vases, picture frames and pillows can enhance the room’s other colors. Also, black colors will show light colored pet hair and dust more easily. Depending on your lifestyle, you may want to avoid using black decorations anywhere but up high to avoid needing to clean as often.

Overwhelming Neutrals

Light wood, neutral fabrics and white decorations will make your apartment seem as though you put no thought into decorating it as well as appear extremely dull. To make your apartment seem as large as possible use neutral colors as the base and blend in darker or brighter colors. Of course, do not use bright and dark colors next to each other, but instead spread them apart. The end result will be a seamless, interesting room that makes the most of all the colors you incorporate.

Blend, Blend, Blend

If you absolutely love one color and will not consider eliminating its use in your apartment, consider using various and multiple tints of the base color. For example, if you love red, consider using oranges and pinks in the same or nearby room. Using multiple tints will show that you recognize their difference and intended to use their disparities to show depth and creativity in your decorating.