News & TipsHow to Pick the Best Paint Colors for Apartment painting in the UAE?
Do you own an apartment in the UAE and want to update its look? We discuss this topic by helping our clients pick excellent paint colors for tiny apartment painting mostly found in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah buildings. You can revamp your space even if you rent or own your property with properly selected paint colors.
Now, I know picking a color can feel overwhelming (so many swatches, so little wall space!). Before I get into the colors (and I’ve got a ton of really great options for you), I want to lay a few ground rules in terms of what you need to be thinking about when you’re choosing paint colors for your living room or open concept.
That’s why we will start by discussing the important apartment painting tips in Dubai, and then we will discuss top interior colors for UAE apartments. Let’s begin.
1. Consider LRV (Light Reflectance Value)
Most people are searching for a color with an LRV in the 60 to 80 range. If you’re not familiar with LRV, it stands for Light Reflectance Value. It refers to how light or dark a paint color is.
- 100 is pure blinding white
- 0 is absolute jet black
Most people want something in that 60 to 80 range because it’s light enough for many living spaces. That’s why, for interior paint, most people want lighter colors. So you’re going to hear me use the words light and fresh a lot. While it may bother some people, most of our clients prefer this color for their apartment painting.
2. Evaluate Your Fixed Elements
This is bigger than just how light your paint color is. You have to evaluate your fixed elements—whether that’s a fireplace, your furnishings, a couch you just bought, or an expensive rug.
Your flooring matters too—especially if you’re working with spaces that have tile or different undertones. You cannot simply go online, browse through colors, and say, “Oh, that looks amazing in that room,” and then try to replicate it in your space.
Why? Because the reason a neutral paint color looks amazing in a photo is that it’s reflected back in the fixed elements and furnishings in that room. And I’ve got a lot of examples of our clients in the UAE to show you if you’re not sure what that means—so just stick around.
3. There’s No Such Thing as a Paint Color That’s “Out”
A lot of people will say, “Grays are out,” or “Beiges are out.” No. There is no single neutral paint color that is out for apartment painting—as long as it is reflected back in your decorating.
Once we used the gray with a blue undertone for our client’s apartment painting, which people have told us over and over again was “out.” The blue was repeated in the shades, chairs, and rug, and it looks absolutely stunning. It was a timeless-looking room using what some call a “dated paint color”—and that’s because it’s reflected in the decor or fixed elements.
Top Interior Colors For UAE Apartments!
Followings are the top paints for apartment painting
1. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
A lot of people think this is an off-white. It’s actually a really pale greige with a green undertone. It has an LRV of 81, so it’s nice and light and bright.
2. Benjamin Moore White Down
This is a gorgeous cream. I just love using creams instead of whites or off-whites now because I think people are getting tired of those.
- It has an LRV of 71, so it’s a full shade and a half darker than most off-whites.
- If you’re decorating with warmer tones, this item is a must-sample.
3. Sherwin Williams Creamy
Another cream option, but from Sherwin Williams.
- It’s brighter, about a shade lighter than White Down.
- LRV is 81—great for that warm yet fresh look.
4. Sherwin Williams City Loft
This is a greige with green undertones—one of the most versatile paint colors out there.
- LRV is 71, so it’s pretty bright.
- It’s got a very neutral green undertone (but neutral doesn’t mean it works with everything!).
5. Sherwin Williams Accolade
About half a shade darker than City Loft.
- LRV of 65, so it’s great if you have a lot of natural light and don’t want the color to wash out.
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray is very similar.
6. Benjamin Moore Nimbus
A gray with a soft blue undertone. Don’t be scared of the blue!
- The undertone is subtle, not overwhelming.
- LRV is 59, so not super bright—use in rooms with plenty of sunlight.
- Works beautifully when blue is reflected in the decor.
7. Sherwin Williams Neutral Ground
A beige with a green undertone.
- LRV is 70, so it’s nice and light.
- Green undertones are typically easy to work with.
- Great neutral for beige-decor lovers.
8. Benjamin Moore Navajo White
A beige with an orange undertone—which is super trendy but can also be timeless when used right in apartment painting.
- Works great with stacked stone that has orange-beige tones.
- Light and warm—perfect to cozy up a space.
9. Sherwin Williams White Sesame
A taupe paint color.
- LRV is 71
- Leans more pink in undertone
- Great if your fixed elements call for taupe!
10. Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
Another taupe, but more purple-leaning.
- LRV is 68
- Often mistaken for a greige, but it’s a true taupe.
- Excellent neutral if your fabrics or stonework reflect those tones.
11. Benjamin Moore Mushroom Cap
A yellow with a strong beige undertone—key to making yellow work without it turning into “school bus yellow.”
- Soft, lovely, and not obnoxious at all.
- Works beautifully when repeated in the rug and accessories.
12. Sherwin Williams Lullaby
One of my favorite blues.
- LRV is 65
- Has a chalky gray undertone—which keeps it from feeling like a nursery.
- Light and fresh.
13. Benjamin Moore Harbor Haze
Another beautiful blue.
- LRV of 62
- Has a strong gray undertone—makes it sophisticated, not childish.
14. Benjamin Moore Hancock Green
A green with a gray undertone.
- LRV of 66
- It’s colorful without being too bold
- Great for living rooms where you want a little more pigment on the walls.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up this list of paint colors for living rooms and open-concept spaces for your apartment painting in the UAE! I hope you found a color that you feel excited to sample and that might work well for you.
If you’re still stuck and needing help, Service Hub does offer virtual consultation services for paint colors. Our experts at Service Hub can also help you with undertone matching support, customized color lists, and access to professional tools and resources.
Let us take the stress out of color selection so you can focus on creating a space you love.
