May 3, 2017 /

My Five Favorite Paint Projects

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Happy May, friends! I’m so excited to welcome you to this month’s edition of My Five Favorites, where I’m joining forces with some of my favorite design bloggers Pam from Simple Details, Kris from Driven By Decor, Jennifer from Dimples & Tangles, and our incredibly talented guest host, Kristin from Bliss At Home!

Kristin is an amazing designer with a keen eye for detail, and she and her husband have taken on some truly inspiring room makeovers. In fact, their built-in bookcases served as the very inspiration behind the ones I installed in our own living room! Before they moved last year, Kristin completed a stunning kitchen renovation, filled with gorgeous details that made her space shine.

If you love home transformations, you absolutely must check out her One Room Challenge reveal, where she gave her new (but charmingly old) home a fresh and stylish update, focusing on her living room and entryway. Kristin, we’re so thrilled to have you joining us!

This month, we’re celebrating one of the most budget-friendly and transformative tools in home design—paint! There’s nothing quite like the magic of a fresh coat of paint to breathe new life into a space. Whether you’re covering up outdated colors, revamping thrifted furniture, or adding bold personality to a room, paint has the power to make a dramatic impact. Today, I’m sharing five of my favorite paint projects that have completely changed my home!

1. Paint a Room a Bold Color

While my entire first floor is bathed in the crisp and classic Simply White by Benjamin Moore (and I adore its timeless elegance), I decided to take a different approach in our bedrooms. I love using bold, rich hues to create cozy, personality-filled retreats. One of my all-time favorite colors is Gentleman’s Gray by Benjamin Moore, which we used in our master bedroom. This deep, moody shade of navy brings warmth and sophistication to the space, making it feel both luxurious and inviting.

Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray 2062-20 | Shine Your Light
📍 See more of our master bedroom transformation here, and if you love bold wall colors, don’t miss my Paint Color Crush series for more striking paint inspiration!

2. Paint Your Garage or Basement Stairs

If you’re looking for a high-impact paint project, don’t overlook your stairs! One of the most dramatic transformations I’ve ever tackled was painting the stairs leading from our garage into the house. These steps had taken a serious beating from New England’s harsh winters—snow, salt, and mud had worn them down, leaving them looking rough and unsealed. A few coats of durable floor paint changed everything! Not only did it make the stairs look cleaner and more polished, but it also helped them stand up to daily wear and tear.

📍 You can check out the original “Welcome” painted stairs here, and if you love a pop of color, take a look at my green-painted stairs here!

3. Create DIY “Mercury” Glass with Paint

Love the look of antique mercury glass but don’t want to splurge on expensive decor pieces? You can easily recreate this vintage-inspired look using spray paint! Whether you want to transform glass shelves, thrifted vases, or even inexpensive pendant lights, a few simple techniques can give them the elegant shimmer of aged mercury glass.

This DIY project is so simple but makes such a statement! I’ve used it on everything from candle holders to cabinet hardware, and it always adds that perfect touch of charm and sophistication.

📍 Want to try it for yourself? Get the step-by-step tutorial on making glass look like mercury glass here!

4. Revamp Outdated or Thrifted Lamps

Ever come across a perfectly functional lamp that just screams 1980s? That’s exactly what happened when I stumbled upon a set of ginger jar-style lamps with an old-school floral motif that likely matched a comforter, wallpaper, and curtains in its original home. Instead of passing them by, I grabbed some spray paint and gave them a complete makeover!

A fresh coat of paint in a modern hue instantly turned these dated lamps into stylish decor pieces that fit beautifully in my home. If you have an old lamp lying around or spot a great shape at a thrift store, don’t hesitate to update it with paint—it’s such an easy and affordable way to customize your lighting.

📍 See the full transformation in my One Room Challenge Teen Room Reveal! Want to customize lampshades too? Check out my guide on retrofitting IKEA lampshades to fit any lamp!

5. Paint the Inside of a Piece of Furniture a Fun Color

One of my absolute favorite ways to add personality to a space is by painting the interior of a furniture piece. Whether it’s the inside of a china cabinet, the back of a bookcase, or the drawers of a dresser, this little detail makes such a big impact! It’s an unexpected pop of color that brings a fun, playful energy to any piece.

I tried this technique on a side table, and it completely transformed its look. A deep, moody shade on the inside contrasted beautifully with the neutral exterior, creating a custom, high-end feel.

📍 See multiple versions of this side table makeover here or explore my Furniture Makeover Gallery for more before-and-after inspiration!

The Power of Paint: Endless Possibilities!

There are so many ways to refresh your home using just a can of paint! Whether you’re looking to modernize outdated decor, add bold color to your walls, or give thrift store finds a brand-new look, paint is truly one of the easiest and most effective DIY tools at your disposal.

What’s your favorite paint project that you’ve tackled? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by to check out My Five Favorite Paint Projects, and don’t forget to visit my friends for even more incredible painting inspiration:

More of My Five Favorites!

If you loved this post, you might also enjoy these My Five Favorites roundups:

📍 Favorite IKEA products I use in my home
📍 Best DIY transformations for small spaces

Happy painting, and see you next time for more home inspiration! 🎨✨

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