Re-painting our walls is an effective way to shake things up, but it’s not the only option. There are a few fixtures and spaces in your home to paint that can be even more impactful. Here are five of the best things you can paint to update your space that aren’t walls.
– All photos are from projects by Beth Haley Design (BHD), unless noted otherwise.
Paint Your Furniture
If your furniture could use a little TLC, consider painting it. It is a great way to add color to your home in a less complicated way than painting your walls. From dining tables and cabinets to side tables and desk chairs, the options are limitless.
When painting furniture, you first need to decide the finish you’re looking for. Options are distressed, smooth, or maybe high gloss. This will impact the kind of paint you choose, which in turn will determine if you sand and/or prime, as well as if you use a top coat or sealer. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it may be a good idea to outsource the job, especially if you’re looking for an extra smooth or high gloss finish.
Cherry red chairs in this dining room exude happiness and joy.
Paint Your Ceilings
Although a classic white shade is often considered the safest choice for ceiling paint colors, it’s not your only option. There’s a whole kaleidoscope of colors that can work for your ceilings if you’re willing to take a risk and have a little fun!
When deciding on a ceiling color, consider the kind of light the room receives during the time you’re most often using it. Bright daylight bouncing off a blush pink or stark white ceiling creates an airy feeling, for example. In the evening, candlelight and lamplight reflecting on a deep red ceiling will produce a luxurious glow.
We love the contrast between the blue-green walls and the white ceiling.
Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets need painting and refreshing regularly because they take the brunt of our everyday lives, chipping, marking, and becoming grubby over time. When it’s time for a refresh, be bold! Paint your cabinets charcoal or black for a more modern look, or opt for a pop of color, such as bubblegum pink or turquoise.
Pro tip: if you are taking on a larger home re-vamp, paint your cabinets last. Because you use your cabinets often, painting them last ensures the paint finishes remain undisturbed and can properly dry when completed.
If your kitchen is starting to feel blah, repaint your cabinets!
Paint Your Bookcases
The most apparent color to paint your built-in bookcase is whatever your baseboards and trim are—but that doesn’t mean you have to. Add a bit of contrast and paint bookcases a color that complements the room’s color scheme. Doing so creates visual interest and gives the room a strong focal point.
As for the best color to paint a bookcase, think about your style and your home’s architecture. A slick coat of high gloss navy blue paint can modernize a bookcase, while a bookcase in a cozy shade of chocolate brown instantly grounds an otherwise hectic family room. No matter your style, the magic of paint can transform the look and feel of your bookcase in the most wonderful ways!
Want to shake things up in your home? Paint your bookcase.
Repainting your walls is only the beginning. Potential canvases are scattered throughout your home.
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Whether you’ve been in your house for a while or just purchased a home in need of renovation, you likely have ideas swirling in your head of what “could be” — a drab bathroom made bright and bold or a dated kitchen renewed with fresh designs and updated appliances. Reach out to Beth Haley Design to help bring your vision to life. Please contact us here!
