5 Simple Ways to Update Your Home with Paint

Painting your walls or the exterior of your home can be a quick and easy way to revamp your home without investing tons of money or time.  While we love the transformation that a full exterior or interior paint service can bring, you should also upgrade smaller items in your home with a fresh coat of paint.

Don’t Forget the Little Things

Home updates should include smaller paint projects to ensure a finished look. These items can range from stairs, handrails, trim, molding, and doors. If these “little” things are left with faded, dirty, or peeling surfaces, it will degrade the appearance of your home even if the walls and siding are freshly painted.

1. Fireplace Mantel

Painting a plain mantle in an unexpected color can make it the focal-point feature and provide a counterpoint to otherwise white woodwork. Mantels offer just the right amount of surface for a spark of color. Your fireplace can be the object n the room that you can decorate around.

2. Stairs

Stairs are an important functional element in a home. In some homes, stairs were built to be stunningly beautiful. In other homes, however, stairs were built on trend with the decade when the house was built.

If you’re unhappy with the color and style of your stairs, painting them is a great opportunity to change the aesthetics.

Handrails and Banisters. If you don’t want to paint the entire staircase, paint just the handrails and banister for a pop of color.  For a classic look try a soft black paint color. Or if you want a crisp, clean look, paint your handrails and banisters white.  To get a uniform and streamlined look, paint the handrails and banisters the same color as your other existing trim.

Stair Treads. Painting the treads of stairs or where your foot lands are perfect places to add bold pops of color. It is recommended to use darker colors on the treads since they’ll be seeing a lot of foot traffic. Darker colors tend to hide existing imperfections better and can help hide wear and tear over the years.

Stair Uprights. This is the part of the stairs that hold up the treads and faces out into your home. Uprights are a great place to play with color. They’re one of the easier parts of the stairs to update. For a stately look, bright white paint will work. Other colors to liven up your home include olive greens, charcoal, or ombre tones.

Stair Spindles. Stair spindles are the part of the staircase that can date the look of your house. Paint the banister black and the spindles white for a classic look that never goes out of style.

3. Bookcases

If your home came with built-in shelving that is a color or wood tone that you don’t love, add a coat of paint.  Putting a fresh coat of paint can give the entire room an upgrade.

Whether it has a backing of wood or drywall, painting the back of your bookcases is a quick and easy way to add depth and color to any area of your home. You can also just paint the edges of the bookcase. You’ll still spruce up the piece with a pop of color.

4. Front Doors or Gates

Painted front doors or gates can create a powerful impact and give a home a unique flair and street appeal. Make sure to use a satin or semi-gloss outdoor paint to help prevent wear and tear.  Your interior doors can be painted too. A touch of color throughout your home is a lovely addition to the decor. Don’t forget to paint the door frame too!

5. Window Trim

Windows are the eyes of your home, and freshly painted trim makes those eyes pop. Window trim can be made from wood, vinyl, aluminum, or steel, so your choice of paint will depend on the material. Use a glossy finish that repels dirt and is easier to clean than flat or eggshell.

Let the Pros Update Your Home

Painting smaller features of a home requires an eye for detail. If any of these elements is painted sloppily or without proper prep, it can ruin the look of your home.

Less-than-perfect results can be avoided with a professional doing the paint job. At Walla Painting, our paint experts are ready to help you transform your home with paint.