Let’s face it, we’ve all spent a lot of time at home over the past two years. And when you spend enough time at home, you begin to grow tired of looking at the same decor all the time.
2022 is the year to explore bringing bright, bold pops of color into your apartment. But that doesn’t mean you have to invest in all-new furniture or do complicated renovation projects. In this article, we’re going to focus on how apartment dwellers can incorporate warm, poppier splashes of color without painting the walls or making other permanent changes.
1. Decorate with Analogous Colors
When beginning any design project, it is important to work with analogous color schemes, which typically involve pairing one dominant color with supporting color schemes. Begin by selecting the dominant color that you want to stand out the most, such as salmon pink. Then, pair that dominant color with tertiary colors, which are there to support the dominant color. Tertiary colors paired with salmon pink could be emerald green, marigold yellow, or a rich navy blue. If you are considering investing in new furniture, make the largest piece of furniture your dominant color. For example, a salmon pink couch with emerald pillows and splashes of yellow and blue in the art surrounding the couch. Weave in soft white and cream-colored textures to give the eyes a rest and bring everything together.
2. Own a Lot of Books? Use Them as Decorative Pieces
If you own a lot of books that are piling up in a corner of your apartment or are scattered from room to room, create colorful book covers and use them as decorative elements throughout your apartment. Buy bold and exciting pieces of wrapping paper such as this abstract mid-century set from Society 6 and give your books a makeover. Cover them in a range of color schemes that support the style you’re going for and place them around your living room, bedroom, office, and other areas of your apartment. They can be used as decorative elements on your coffee table, TV console, nightstand, or even in your kitchen. If you own bookcases, consider lining the back of the shelves with decorative paper as well to add an additional splash of color.
3. Saturate One Area of a Room with Tons of Color
If incorporating bright tones in every corner of a room feels overwhelming, pick one area and only add color to that space. This helps create a focal point in a room and will make the colors stand out. If your bedroom has a lot of cooler, neutral tones or is a bit darker, pick one area of the room and concentrate all of the colors in that space. For example, invest in a bright comforter and pillows or drape bright throw blankets over your current bedspread to bring pops of color to that area. Put colorful houseplants or floral arrangements on the nightstand or other areas around your bed to support the color scheme. If you want to opt for a smaller space, consider creating a reading nook in the corner and adding pops of color there instead. Invest in a bright-colored chair or drape colorful pieces around it to add life to the space. This can also be done in other areas of your apartment and even your bathroom by adding colorful decorative elements to the area around the sink to bring some more life to the space.
4. DIY a Piece of Art
Art can certainly be expensive. It may be worthwhile to try creating a piece or two on your own to see if you like certain colors before investing in an expensive piece of art. Find a few pieces online for inspiration and visit your local art supply store to browse the colors in your desired piece. There are tons of free art classes on YouTube for beginners, which could also be a great place to start.
5. Begin by Replacing Non-Permanent Accessories
Updating your home’s decor may feel drastic when too much change happens all at once. This is particularly applicable if you tend to gravitate to warm neutral tones and safer shades of cream and white. When incorporating brighter colors and hues you normally wouldn’t go for, start with small, non-permanent objects that can easily be removed such as candle holders, vases, blankets, small rugs, and pillows. If you like the way the colors work in the room and it doesn’t feel overwhelming, tackle the art on your walls next. Incorporate one or two brighter, bolder pieces of art and then slowly begin to match the rest of the decor to that style if it feels comfortable.
6. Incorporate Colorful Houseplants
Houseplants come in a broad range of colors and bring life to a space. Rather than opting for traditional green houseplants, consider plants that are rich in bright colors, such as the Tropical Delight Guzmania Bromeliad or a Red Chinese Evergreen plant. If the plant is smaller, it is easy to transport, so you can test out various areas around your home until you find a space that works well with the decor (as long as the plant is getting enough sunlight!). If caring for plants isn’t your thing, consider investing in artificial plants from companies such as ArtiPlanto, Nearly Natural, as well as IKEA, Home Depot, and Amazon.
7. Embrace Bright, Happy, Citrus Colors
Cheerful yellows, bright greens, and punchy oranges will add zest and life to an otherwise neutral space. If most of your furniture is neutral or dark, consider layering your space with bright orange or yellow blankets and pillows, or small yet colorful pieces of art that make a bold statement.
8. Start with Pastels to Ease Your Way into Bright Colors
Not ready for hues of bright orange and zesty lime? We completely understand. Rather than jumping into bold colors you haven’t had in your apartment before, ease your way in with soft blush pinks or cool mint tones. Try weaving in textiles and accessories that have calm, pastel tones such as creamy yellows and peach to familiarize yourself with different color schemes before diving into bubble gum pinks and fire engine reds.
Draper and Kramer
Draper and Kramer offers a wide range of luxurious apartments with spacious layouts that are a perfect complement to many of 2022’s hottest interior design trends. Browse Draper and Kramer’s selection of luxury apartments today.
