20 Apartment color schemes to spruce up your home

Are you looking to add a personal touch to your apartment? Painting the walls may be just the solution you need! 

But with endless color options and the fear of making the wrong choice, choosing the perfect paint color can feel like a daunting task. That’s why we’ve created a list of apartment paint ideas to help inspire you. From bold and vibrant to soft and serene, these apartment paint colors will suit any style or mood! 

So, get ready to transform your space with a fresh coat of paint, and let our guide lead the way.

Modern apartment colors 

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-color theme, like green. 

3. Blue and coral

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

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 color for a sultry and sophisticated look.

Minimalist apartment color schemes 

6. Gray on gray

With gray being a neutral color, 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 color 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 colors like green and brown.
 

9. Sage 

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

10. Coffee browns

Different shades of coffee-colored 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 color, 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 cozy color 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 color pairs beautifully with greenery or wooden accents, making it an ideal choice for creating a cozy and natural atmosphere in your home.

Contemporary apartment colors 

14. Teal, wood, and white

Instead of using teal as your main color, 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 color and visual interest to your space.

15. Blue-green

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

16. Silver and gray

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

17. Tangerine and white

Pair two bold and contrasting colors like tangerine and white! Color 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 colors 

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

☞ Also read: Apartment painting cost guide

Deciding on your color scheme

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

Tip 1: Apply basic color theory

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

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

• Try accent colors: Give attention to a color by accentuating it. One way to do this is by picking colors closest to your primary paint color. Choosing nearby colors 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 color you want. How paint colors 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 color wheel and have fun visualizing the possibilities! 

Tip 2: Be intentional.

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

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

• If you’re aiming for a more lively theme, choose bright colors 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 colors. 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 colors that show your personality. For example:

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

• Bold colors: Embrace your lively and adventurous side by opting for bold and bright colors 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. 

Paint your home with confidence 

After exploring these various apartment color ideas, it’s time to turn your vision into reality. If you have the expertise and equipment, DIY painting is always an option. 

However, if you want to ensure a flawless finish without the stress of trial and error, it’s recommended to hire a professional painter. Airtasker helps you find experienced painters near you who can help every step of the way – from planning your color scheme to executing the painting process.