When it’s time to buy a home, many new or first time buyers are looking to purchase a condo in the city rather than a detached home in the suburbs. There are many reasons for this trend, but one of the most popular reasons to choose condo living is because they’re conveniently located in the middle of the city’s action. This is a big draw for young adults and newlyweds who are more focused on a career than starting a family. Styling your new condo does take some thought since much of the building’s style is not up to your individual preference. Instead, the decision boils down to a popular vote between you and your neighbors or an elected board. You can, however, bring out your personal style within your home using condominium painting techniques and furnishings. Let’s take a look at some of challenges condo owners face and how you can overcome them.
Pros vs. Cons of Condo Living
There are pros and cons to any home you may want to purchase. The same is true when you’re trying to make a new condo feel like home. A condominium is more than a glorified apartment. Condos are meant to be an investment, just like a detached home in the suburbs. Unlike renting an apartment, you now have a stake in how the building holds up because you may want to sell your condo one day and move into a larger space. It’s up to you to maintain your home and make upgrades so you can stay competitive on the resale market. One thing your realtor will tell you to do before attempting to list your condo on the market is to build in time for a condominium painting project. It’s not necessarily a negative comment towards your choice of paint colors, but realtors know that buyers prefer a home that feels “move-in ready.”
Pro vs. Con: Small Spaces – Depending on your budget, you could see the space in the condo of your dreams to be a con instead of a pro. Most condos are on the smaller side because they’re situated in a multi-level or high-rise building. That fact could be a pro because with height comes better views to the outside world. You can easily overcome the con of a small condo by using a few tricks. First, the condominium painting colors you choose can help make your space feel larger. If you have a lot natural light coming in through floor-to-ceiling windows you can use lighter colors around your condo to reflect the light. This technique can trick your eye into seeing a larger space.
Pro vs. Con: Shared Style – While your individual condo style is up to you, the look of the condominium building is a group or governing board decision. This could be considered a pro or a con, depending on your personality. If you’re a control freak, then this will grind on your very last nerve. If you’re more of a free spirit, this will act as a pro for the simple fact that you don’t have to make the decision or do any of the maintenance work around the building. When it’s time to make some upgrades to building, amenities, or an overall condominium painting job, you won’t have to worry about picking out colors or doing the hiring unless you sit on the condo’s governing board.
Pro vs. Con: Condo Expenses – Since a condominium building is a shared space with shared amenities and upkeep, there are shared expenses. This usually comes in the form of monthly or annual association fees. This is a bill set apart from your monthly mortgage payment and is paid directly to the building governing board. Sometimes the fees can be quite expensive. The association fees will cover maintenance and security for your condo. The board also has the right to vote or hear arguments from condo owners who want upgrades and additions to the building’s amenities. When it’s time to do maintenance, like an overall condominium painting project or lobby renovation, your governing board will decide and use money from the association fees to pay for the project.
Small Spaces Make a Big Impact with the Right Condominium Painting
If your condo is a smaller space, don’t overlook its potential. Smaller spaces can make a big impact if you use the right painting techniques and products. You simply have to think through your design to ensure it serves more than one purpose. That’s how you get the most bang for your buck.
Natural Light Highlights Flaws – When using paint to make a statement, make sure you take the flaws of your condo’s layout and texture imperfections into account. If you’re lucky enough to have a lot of natural light in your space, you need to be aware that the light reflecting from surface to surface can unintentionally highlight some of those flaws like uneven drywall or even cracking. Using the right condominium painting techniques is key to getting the best results and hiding those imperfections. When in doubt, go with a professional painter. They know how to mask even the most unforgiving flaws on your walls and ceiling surfaces.
Use Lighter Colors to Bounce the Light – If you have a condo on the smaller side and want that larger and open feeling, use lighter condominium painting colors to help bounce the light around the space. You don’t have to go with bland, just a reflective lighter color. Try something warm or cool in the pastel color chart. If you have an open kitchen and living room space, a cool gray or grayish blue will really compliment stainless steel appliances nicely.
Use Darker Colors as a Backdrop for Lighter Furniture – If you’re not worried about bouncing the light, then go for bold color. A deep, rich color can be a beautiful backdrop to lighter or more neutral furnishings. A darker condominium painting job can act as a canvas to your unique artwork. Using a dark or bold color may be freighting to you at first, but it’s just a gallon of paint. Live with you initial decision for a week to test it out. If you hate it, you can easily and affordably repaint it next weekend.
Experiment with a Focal Wall
Another easy way to use an affordable condominium painting project to your benefit is to create a focal wall. This is an easy way to bring a bold, bright color into your main living area if you’re worried about using a deeper color all over. A focal wall is also a creative way to bridge different areas of an open floor plan. Most people use a focal wall as a way to get a second or accent color into the space, but you have the freedom to use it a little more creatively.
Use Condominium Painting Techniques to Create Graphics – One of the more creative ideas trending is the use of graphics on a focal wall. While some may resort to wallpaper to get the intercut detail, you can easily get the same effect by using condominium painting techniques. All you need is the idea, two shades of paint, really good painter’s tape, a steady hand, and lots of patience. The results are stunning. You can get ideas and graphic templates off the Internet or at your local painting professional’s store.
Solid Color Can Bring Focus – If a graphical look is too busy for you, there is always bright or bold solid color focal walls to liven up any condo space. If you feel like walking on the almost-wild side, try alternating condominium painting colors. If your focal wall holds your media system, use the alternate colors painted in boxes that act as frames around your media center or television.
Condominium painting doesn’t have to be a complete challenge. Make it fun and an extension of your personality. It’s your home, and no matter its size, it should fit your needs. If you’ve never taken on a major painting project before, it will be helpful to get some advice and guidance from the professionals like paid painters and designers. Their expertise could be worth more than your loss of time if you get stuck repainting and doing touchups over the next few weekends.
