7 Ways to Upgrade Your Home Décor with Painting Products

New furniture and accessories can enhance the decor of any room in your home. Unfortunately, they can easily cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Instead of purchasing new items, you can transform things you already have with some paint and imagination to redecorate on a budget.

Here are a few decorating ideas to upgrade your home's look affordably.

1. Refinish and Recycle Old Furniture

Home decor trends come and go, but refinishing chairs, tables, bookshelves, and other furniture with a fresh coat of paint keeps them stylish for years.

Painting wooden furniture injects a pop of color into a room or gives a piece an entirely new look. When choosing a paint color, also consider if you want a glossy, satin, or matte finish.

Before starting any paint project, properly prepare the surface. Thoroughly clean the piece, remove any existing finish with chemical strippers, repair damage with wood filler, and sand rough areas.

After applying primer and paint, upgrade the furniture further with new knobs, pulls, or handles to complement the refreshed style.

With some effort and patience, you can reimagine garage sale finds or attic relics into showstopping focal points.

2. Light Up Your Life with Color

Lamps, chandeliers, and other lighting fixtures look brand new with a coat of paint. This is an inexpensive way to add a touch of the unexpected to any room.

Use textured metallic spray paint on existing lighting to quickly transform a dated, lackluster space into one with stylish, contemporary flair. The multidimensional metallic sheen adds depth and elegance to projects inside and outside the home.

Another easy option is to paint a pendant, chandelier, or other fixture in a bold color to provide an instant update.

Start by removing bulbs and cleaning the light. Sand any uneven or rough areas. Apply a primer undercoat before painting the desired color. A clear sealer or coat of polyurethane will give the painted fixture a glossy sheen.

3. Liven Up Interiors with Accent Pieces

Painted shelves, baskets, vases, and other colorful accents inject energy and visual interest into any room without breaking the budget.

A simple DIY upgrade is to paint the top of a table in a bold, contrasting color to the base. This eye-catching touch makes the table a focal point. A bright red or blue tabletop on a natural wood base, for instance, adds a modern flair to the space.

Another creative option is to paint a pattern or design directly onto the tabletop. This adds artistic personality and a conversation-starting detail to the piece. Opt for geometric shapes or an elaborate scene like a landscape mural.

Paint also upgrades the look of everyday items like storage bins, racks, and organizers. Use complementing colors to create an aesthetically pleasing and coordinated look.

4. Paint Accent Walls

Accent walls highlight architectural details and add style to any room's decor. This focal feature is easy and inexpensive to create with paint.

Use accent walls to define separate spaces in open-concept homes. A bold color on one wall visually separates the living room from an adjacent dining area without building a physical barrier.

In bedrooms, accent walls covered in energetic hues prevent the space from feeling too neutral. A moody navy blue offers a soothing ambiance, while mint green evokes vibrancy.

Consider painting the wall behind the bed or use the longest wall to make the biggest statement. Further enhance the wall by incorporating textured paint finishes or patterns like stripes, geometrics, or even murals.

5. Paint Your Front Door

As the focal point of a home's curb appeal, an eye-catching front door color enhances the exterior aesthetic.

A fresh coat of paint in a cheery hue conveys warmth and welcomes guests inside. While deep reds and blues make a bold statement, lighter tones like sage green or buttery yellow give off an approachable vibe.

Beyond color choices, pay attention to the door's architectural style and exterior surroundings when selecting a shade. For a Craftsman-style home clad in earthy stone or brick, stick to darker neutrals that blend with the organic palette. White doors stand out against colorful Mediterranean-style stucco exteriors.

Spend time cleaning the door, removing hardware, and properly prepping the surface before painting for long-lasting results. Use high-quality exterior paints or enamels that withstand the elements.

6. Update Kitchen Cabinets

Many homeowners update their kitchens by installing new cabinets, which easily costs thousands. Painting the existing cabinetry saves money while allowing you to change the look.

To retain a natural wood grain look, use stains or paint tinted with wood tones like walnut, cherry, and mahogany. Matte finishes spotlight the richness of wood without appearing too glossy under overhead lighting.

For a more dramatic transformation, coat cabinets in vibrant shades like navy, emerald, and crimson. Soft pastels also freshen up the space. Adhere to a consistent color scheme throughout for a streamlined aesthetic.

Proper preparation is key prior to painting cabinets for a smooth, durable finish. Clean thoroughly, sand, spot prime, apply primer, and use high-quality enamel paint. Work carefully around hardware and replace it as needed.

7. Freshen Up Furniture Finishes

Many furniture pieces accumulate minor scratches, scuffs, and other surface-level damage from regular use. Instead of purchasing brand new items, restore wood furniture with a fresh coat of stain or paint.

Lightly sand the entire surface using fine-grit sandpaper to smooth imperfections. Use a clean cloth to remove dust and debris before applying the desired finish.

When working with natural wood furniture, select a stain that enhances the existing tone. For example, use a cherry or walnut-tinted stain on oak pieces to enrich the woodgrain’s warm hues. Multiple coats gradually deepen the color.

For painted furniture with worn, flaky surfaces, prime first before coating in a new color. Matte, high-quality enamels work well for most applications.

Learn More About Painting Products

So, Is Painting a Cost-Effective Way to Upgrade Home Decor?

Painting is an affordable DIY solution for enhancing your home's interior design and exterior curb appeal without spending a fortune. A fresh coat of color instantly elevates the look of lighting fixtures, furniture, accent walls, cabinetry, front doors, and more on a budget.

With some creativity and elbow grease, you can upcycle flea market finds or outdated pieces collecting dust in your attic and basement using just paint. Choose colors and finishes that align with your desired aesthetic, whether you prefer bold and dramatic or soft and subdued palettes.

Paint allows you to change up your home's style as trends come and go. It is a budget-friendly project option compared to purchasing brand-new, high-end decor items and furnishings. With paint, inject visual interest and give new life to your living spaces.