Infuse Your Apartment With Color
Part 1

Make your apartment truly yours by infusing color into the very fiber of the place. Think it’s difficult to do? Guess again! And it doesn’t have to be expensive either. Here are some simple things you can do to make your apartment more bright and colorful. Just think VIBRANT!

Entryway

• A welcome mat is a nice introduction to an apartment (even if it doesn’t say welcome). Choose a solid color such as red or a vibrant pattern.
   

• Artificial flowers in an eye-catching vase upon entry into your apartment are sure to get approving looks. Go for a variety of different colors and choose a vase as exotic as you can find. If you have a large enough entryway, position the vase on the floor (just make sure the flowers don’t grab you or your guests as you walk in!).

Kitchen

• Choose a colorful mat for your feet when you stand at the sink.
   

• Dishcloths and tea towels are a fantastic way to liven up your kitchen. Go with a theme or mix and match.
   

• I’m a sucker for drinking glasses and coffee mugs; I have every size and color you could imagine. If you have too many mugs for the space of your cupboard, buy a small mug tree that sits on the countertop and hang them off of it. Or consider buying two and placing one on each end of your counter.
   

• Cutting boards don’t have to be dull or made of wood, although wood is better (more sanitary). Go for something snazzy that brims with personality. I just purchased a glass one for (sometimes) use that is covered with bright red strawberries. Yummy!

Dining Room

• So maybe your dining room and kitchen are practically one and the same, no matter, show your love of color on your table anyway. Placemats are terrific and so versatile. And even better they are cheap enough that you can own as many sets as you like. I personally prefer the plastic ones because they can be wiped off easily after each use, whereas the fabric ones have to be thrown in the washing machine or hand-washed (what a pain!) whenever they become stained. I have a few different sets- seasonal ones that I like to coordinate with my tablecloth and ones that I bring out when I have guests over.
   

• As previously mentioned, tablecloths can be fun too.Buy some plastic ones that you can coordinate with your placemats (an orange one for Halloween/ Thanksgiving perhaps and a cheery Christmas one). And for your other moods, or seasons, have some nice fabric ones on hand.
  A lacy one is always unique.
   

• A single candle jazzes up your table tremendously by giving it a soft touch. Bring out your tall, sexy candles and candleholders on a night when you’re serving up a romantic supper for two! Otherwise when it’s just you, keep it simple. And go with whatever color suits your mood(s).
   

• If you love flowers, here’s a fantastic place to show it. Buy kitchen and/or dining room curtains with flower designs (big or small, whatever your preference). Buy a valance to complement the curtains you’ve chosen. Think comfort and sustenance for your food preparation/eating rooms. Flower power!
   

• And while you’re at it, a very simple way to add color to a table is to place a bowl of fruit in the middle of it (apples, oranges, grapes, kiwis- you get the idea). It’s colorful, brimming with life and healthy to boot!

Stay tuned for some more color infusing ideas in part 2. 

~Anika Logan

Anika Logan has lived in her share of apartments over the years and has plenty of decorating ideas, not to mention pearls of wisdom to pass on to you. If you have an apartment question/dilemma, look no further-Anika will provide the answers!