20 Apartment colour schemes to add life to your home

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way in personalising a generic-looking, cookie-cutter space. But coming up with apartment paint ideas can be daunting with the many options to choose from. Here’s a list of apartment colour schemes to give you some inspiration. We’ve also included some tips on how to choose paint colours for your home.  

Modern apartment paint colours 

1. Olive green and tangerine

Olive green walls paired with tangerine accents can give a grounded energy to your home.

2. Monochromatic green 

A strong and soothing atmosphere perfect for living rooms. Go bold with a single-colour theme, like green. 

3. Blue and coral

For a vibrant and energising look, consider painting your walls a bold shade of blue and accentuating it with pops of coral colours.

4. Sage and turquoise

Cover your apartment walls with sage and turquoise paint for a tropical atmosphere.
 

5. Red and black

Use black as a canvas for red. Colorblock or paint an accent wall with either colour for a sultry and sophisticated look.

Minimalist apartment colour schemes 

6. Grey on grey

With grey being a neutral colour, multiple shades will give your apartment a textured feel. It’s soft and understated, perfect for a classy look.

7. All white 

Just like vanilla, white is the safest yet most versatile apartment colour to work with. You can keep your space looking clean and simple or add some wooden furniture to bring in warmth. 

Earth tones

8. Dusty green and brown

For a sense of nature, accentuate your apartment with plant colours like green and brown.
 

9. Sage

Similar to the herb it’s named after, this colour will bring a sense of calm and relaxation to your apartment.

10. Coffee browns

Different shades of coffee-coloured paint are an excellent choice if you want a contemporary yet warm atmosphere.
 

11. Orange, yellow, and cream

Yellow alone can look too much. But partner it with a cream colour, and you can tone it down and still exude that radiant energy and brighten up your room.
 

12. Earthy ochre

Usually paired with other warm tones, this cosy colour is perfect for spaces meant to feel warm and comfortable.

13. Beige

If you find white too plain and want a warmer, more timeless look for your space, consider using beige. This classic colour pairs beautifully with greenery or wooden accents, making it an ideal choice for creating a cosy and natural atmosphere in your home.

Contemporary apartment colours 

14. Teal, wood, and white

Instead of using teal as your main colour, use it to complement white and wooden themes in your apartment. This will help to create a harmonious and balanced look while adding a pop of colour and visual interest to your space.

15. Blue-green

The colours of the ocean can bring a refreshing and serene look to your apartment. Use colours like aquamarine, teal, and turquoise.

16. Silver and grey

Prefer a more sleek and sophisticated colour? Silver is the way to go if you want a modern feel. This colour goes perfectly with lighter shades and greys, too.

17. Tangerine and white

Pair two bold and contrasting colours like tangerine and white! Colour blocking is a modern interior design technique you can easily do on your walls and cabinets to spruce up your apartment.
 

18. Dark blue

Accentuate your apartment with dark blue if you want to highlight a certain feature. 

Serene apartment colours 

19. Sky blue

You can’t go wrong with a light shade of blue when trying to achieve a relaxing space.
 

20. Lavender

This versatile colour is perfect for bringing life into any small, dull space. Use complementary colours like white and other shades of purple and green to add some variation. 

☞ Also read: Apartment painting cost guide

Deciding on your colour scheme

Figuring out the perfect colours can be a challenge. But basic colour theory can help you identify the right colour choices for your home. Here are some tips when choosing apartment colour schemes.

Tip 1: Apply basic colour theory

You must get the basics down, such as what colours look good together and which ones best suit your space. Using a colour wheel, choose colours that complement or contrast each other to achieve a desired effect. For example:
  

• Use complementary colours: Choose colours opposite each other in the colour wheel, like orange and blue. Complementary colours give a good push-and-pull effect, giving the space depth.
   

• Try accent colours: Give attention to a colour by accentuating it. One way to do this is by picking colours closest to your primary paint colour. Choosing nearby colours makes for a more calming look.
  
  

• Play with tints and shades: Depending on how you’ll approach your lighting, ensure you have the right tint or shade for the colour you want. How paint colours and lighting interact can make or break the feel of a space.
   

Learning the basics can help you narrow down your options and identify the right paint to get. So, grab a colour wheel and have fun visualising the possibilities!
 

Tip 2: Be intentional

When choosing a colour scheme for your apartment, it’s important to consider the effect you’re going for. 

• If you’re aiming for a warmer atmosphere, choose colours that evoke that feeling, like earth tones. 

• If you’re aiming for a more lively theme, choose bright colours like tangerine and yellow.

Also, make sure to check the lighting in your apartment, both natural and indoor lighting. Lighting can drastically affect the shade and hue of colours. Also, consider what kind of furniture and accents you have to tie the space together. 
 

Tip 3: Be expressive

Don’t forget to have fun and choose colours that show your personality. For example:

• Neutral tones: Beige, white, and cream can evoke a calm and simple personality.

• Bold colours: Embrace your lively and adventurous side by opting for bold and bright colours in your decor. Consider incorporating vibrant shades such as orange, blue, and teal to infuse your space with energy and personality.

As long as it works, it works. Remember, the goal is to make your home feel like you.

Need help painting your apartment? 

Now that you’ve seen these different apartment colour ideas, it’s time to start painting! If you can DIY it, then that’s great. But if you need help painting your apartment, you can hire a professional painter. You can save yourself trial and error by hiring an expert with all the proper tools and skills. Find painters on Airtasker who can help you with every step, from planning your colour scheme to painting your entire apartment.