Paint as an Easy Way to Renovate

Switch up Your Wall Color

• A splash of color adds style to boring, white walls. Choose colors that reflect the decorating theme of the room. The wall color chosen for one room doesn't have to flow to other rooms in your house. If you like, choose a different color and theme for each room. Go to the hardware store and browse through different color swatches or read decorating magazines to get your creative juices flowing.

Bath and Kitchen Cabinets

• New cabinets in the kitchen and bath completely transform an outdated space. The cost of a complete kitchen and bath remodel varies, but you'll likely spend several thousands of dollars. With a gallon of paint and a few paintbrushes, you can give your cabinets a new look for less. Remove cabinet doors from the actual cabinet by unscrewing the hinges, then unscrew the hardware from each door. You can purchase new hinges and hardware or reuse the existing ones. Apply wood filler to dents, scratches or cracks in the cabinets or doors with a putty knife. Brush on two coats of primer, then sand the primer with 100-grit sandpaper or an electronic sander. Brush or spray on two coats of the desired paint color. Attach the hardware to the cabinet doors once the paint dries, then reattach the cabinet doors. Painting is a cost-effective way to lighten or darken your existing color.

Brighten Old Furniture

• Outdated dressers, shelves, tables, chairs and other furniture can put a damper on your style efforts. Rather than replace these items with new ones, experiment with different colors to freshen and breathe new life into your living space. Choose a large open space, perhaps your back porch or the garage. Lay down newspaper or a tarp to protect the surface. Situate the piece of furniture on top of the tarp and repaint the item. Use furniture paint or apply two coats of spray paint.

Considerations

• After updating your kitchen cabinets and wall color, and adding new home accents, your boring white refrigerator might clash with your new kitchen style. Buying a new refrigerator offers a quick solution. But if your finances don't permit a new appliance purchase, keep your existing appliance and update the color. Home improvement stores sell spray paint specifically designed for refrigerators in colors, such as stainless steel and black. Move your refrigerator to the garage or select a spot outdoors. Position the refrigerator on top of a tarp and cover your surrounding furniture with a sheet, tarp or plastic. Apply a coat of spray paint, wait for the paint to dry, then apply a second coat.