I’ve always been a big believer in the power of paint. It’s amazing what a few swipes of the paintbrush and a little elbow grease can accomplish. In fact, not only is it one of the easiest (or dare I say the easiest) way to revamp a space but also by far one of the most budget friendly.
Let’s take a look at how a few simple coats of paint brought new life to these before and after projects.
This desk rehab is a classic case of boring turned fabulous. Not only is this piece much improved with a solid coat of gray-blue paint, but the yellow dipped legs work wonders in giving the desk a fresh new look.
Pretty stinkin’ fabulous right? Let’s keep moving. There are more painted goodies in store for us…
As a Realtor, my work week is loaded with tours of rooms just like the one below. I’m no stranger to wood paneling, red brick fireplaces and dark and dismal built-ins (I’ve tackled all three of these hurdles in my own house) but one of my favorite things to do while helping buyers sift through potential houses is brainstorm how to bring rooms just like this one back to life with a few paint swatches. This before and after living room is a spot on example of how painted paneling and a couple coats of white paint can instantly bring a space from dated to desirable.
Nothing says drama like a beautiful stairway. By removing the old carpeting and painting the stairs and railing in alternating shades of black and white, this stairway is transformed into a chic centerpiece for the home.
And finally, we work our way into the kitchen. While painting kitchen cabinets does require a bit more patience than rolling a new hue onto a bedroom wall, the result is well worth the wait and definitely easy on the pocketbook. Take a look at how the kitchen below is given an entirely new look by only painting the cabinets a cozy gray.
Image sources: Desk | Living Room | Stairway | Kitchen
Dine easy. Forget the five course meals, some of the most fun nights are spent sipping wine with good friends gathered around a few chunks of bread, fruit and cheese.
History lessons. Outfit your space with family hand-me-downs and finds from past travels. Home decor is so much more fun with a story behind it, and what is easier than going shopping in Grandma’s attic or more fun than combing the beach for coral and shells to fill that bowl that’s been sitting empty on your coffee table?
Get by with a little help from your friends. Last week a few friends that I hadn’t seen in far too long and I made plans to get together for dinner and to watch a mutually shared trash TV addiction. Alas, day of, the wonderful hostess was under the weather just enough that she didn’t want to cancel plans with her gal pals but slaving over a home cooked meal sounded like the least possible amount of fun. Solution? Frozen lasagna, salad and wine arriving with friends and a good time had by all.
Grab a paintbrush. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again—Alright, fine. I’ve said it a thousand times but it still holds true: When it comes to easy do-it-yourself projects, a little paint goes a long way. Whether you are thinking about giving your living room a fresh coat or painting a dated brick fireplace, the minimal cost and big result make this project a no-brainer.
Backsplash it up. While a kitchen remodel is out of the question when it comes to quick and easy weekend updates, adding a tile backsplash is high on the you-can-do-it list and also a great starter project for wannabe tile gurus. With so many how-to videos on the internet that show just how simple a backsplash can be to install—like the one below from DIY Network—why not put a little lipstick on your kitchen before holiday guests arrive?
To prep the drawers, all of the old hardware was removed, the holes filled with wood filler and sanded smooth once dry.
Before painting, I gave the cabinet & drawers a good wipe down and once dry, went to town with a paint brush. The master plan for this piece involved an old, distressed look, so I opted for a flat paint.
After two good coats were dry, it was time to bring a little flair to the boring drawer fronts using a stencil and light gray acrylic craft paint.
Now for the distressing part of this rehab—the boyfriend didn’t understand why I would take something old, paint it like new and beat it up to look old again, but what does he know? With a few swipes of sandpaper on the corners and edges (the areas that would naturally have the most wear and tear over time), we were well on our way to shabby chic.
Last up: new hardware. This is a pretty sturdy piece, so I wanted hefty hardware to live up to it. I found oversized aged metal handles in four different styles, so I snagged one of each. A different handle for each drawer to add a bit of character.
While my laundry room is still a disaster zone, at least this filing-turned-laundry cabinet sits waiting in the living room as the light at the end of the tunnel…and with one less piece of junk in the carport, my neighbors can regain a false sense of hope that I won’t haul home any other finds.
