Painting flats: interior design tips for high-rise apartment living

The UK skyline is evolving fast. All across the country, from city fringes to old industrial quarters, high-rise living is on the rise. These stylish, often newly built or converted apartment blocks offer a modern way of life – ideal for those who want proximity to the city without being right in the thick of it.

With convenience, great views, and a sense of community through shared spaces and open-plan layouts, flats offer fantastic potential. But when it comes to decorating and painting flats, many people wonder where to start.

Here are some of our top flat painting ideas to bring comfort, warmth, and personality to your apartment – without losing the modern feel of your space.

Choosing the right paint colours for flats

When it comes to interior paint for flats, don’t be afraid to go bold. Many flats, particularly those in high-rise buildings, benefit from plenty of natural light – meaning you can choose richer, warmer colours without worrying about making the space feel small.

Earthy tones like Beehive or Olive Tree create a cosy and grounded atmosphere. Pair these with a deeper contrast shade like Rockpool for added depth. These kinds of shades soften the sharp lines of contemporary spaces while maintaining a fresh, modern aesthetic.

We’ve written more about how to colour-match paints in small spaces on our blog if you need guidance.

How to paint a flat: practical tips

If you're wondering how to paint a flat, the good news is that most interior walls in apartments are easy to decorate. But there are a few things worth bearing in mind:

• Check with building management before painting shared walls or external-facing surfaces. (Our paints are for interior use only)
• Use low-VOC paints (like ours) to reduce odours and ensure safe use in smaller spaces with limited ventilation
• Work room-by-room, especially in open-plan layouts, to define zones through colour and lighting
• Use Real Paint Patches to test your colours in natural light before committing – lighting can vary significantly between floors and orientations

Add nature with biophilic design

Even high above the city, bringing the outdoors in can completely change the feel of your flat. Biophilic design is all about connecting with nature – and it works brilliantly in smaller spaces.

Try adding greenery throughout your apartment. Real plants will thrive if you have strong natural light, but good-quality artificial plants also work well. They’re easy to maintain and still give that calming, organic feel.

Make the most of balcony space

If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony, maximise it!

• Use bright, uplifting colours for accessories like outdoor cushions or painted plant pots (though remember, our paints are for interiors only)
• Add a green leaf-patterned outdoor rug to bring the garden vibe sky-high
• Bistro-style furniture keeps things compact but comfortable
• String lights create instant atmosphere for summer evenings and look beautiful from inside too

Feature wall art for small spaces

When decorating or painting flats, don’t overlook the impact of a carefully chosen gallery wall. A group of small prints, photos or even quirky wall hangings like neon signs can express your personality and make a space feel curated – not cluttered.

Position art to guide the eye toward your windows or views – a design trick that’s perfect for high-rise living.

Lighting for comfort and zoning

Harsh ceiling lights can flatten the mood in smaller flats. Instead:

• Use table or floor lamps to soften the look
• Pendant lights can help define a dining or reading nook
• Consider warm-toned bulbs to add cosiness
• Layered lighting helps zone open-plan spaces without the need for physical barriers

Decorating flats should be fun

Your flat is your sanctuary – whether it’s sleek and minimalist or full of character and warmth. Think of it as a well-lit blank canvas. With thoughtful decoration and smart painting choices, even the most modern apartment can feel incredibly homely.

Decorating doesn’t have to cost a fortune, either. Our range of mindful paint colours is designed to work across all kinds of flat interiors, with minimal VOCs, recyclable tins and a clean finish.

Looking for inspiration? Browse our colour collections – and don’t forget to tag your finished space on Instagram with #ZhooshUp so we can see how you've transformed your apartment.