Painting Ideas to Freshen Up Your Space (and Increase Your Home’s Value)

Are you planning on moving and want to increase the value of your home? Or you’re not moving but want to liven up your living space? A fresh coat of paint helps accomplish both of these goals. And if you’re looking for some painting ideas that will spark your next home improvement project, well, you’re in the right place!

Of course, repainting the entire house may not be within your time frame or budget. But just one or two of these painting ideas can still make a big impact. Below are some key areas to focus on that will add a little pop or freshen up the look of your home!

Painting Idea #1: Make Your Front Door and Shutters Colorful

Curb appeal. It isn’t just something they talk about on home improvement shows. First impressions make a big difference. If you’re selling your home, the first thing buyers see should be impressive. Or even if you’re settled in, how nice would it be to pull up to your house and fall in love all over again?

A fresh color on the front door and shutters changes the entire impression of your home. While classic hues like brown or black look great, don’t shy from bolder color choices. Consider your entire front yard, including the walkway and surrounding plants, and pick colors that compliment it. Just be sure to check with your homeowner’s association first (if you have one) so you don’t run afoul of their bylaws.

A home with front door painted red surrounded by plants.
Painting idea #1: make a bold color choice for you front door. This red draws the eye without distracting from the surroundings.

Beyond color, you’ll also want to take care in choosing a durable finish made for exteriors that’s weather-resistant. Otherwise, the color may fade or crack and require repainting sooner than later.

Some painting ideas are easy to do yourself, but you may want to consider hiring professional painters for this one. Painting shutters requires scaling a tall ladder. If you fear heights or lack proper safety equipment, this might be a job for the pros!

Painting Idea #2: Add an Accent Wall and Make the Room Pop

Painting an entire room is a huge undertaking. But sometimes just an accent wall, one wall adorned with a contrasting color, can change the feel of the room.

Different colors have different psychological effects on people. Red, orange and yellow are lively and energizing. Blue, green and purple are more calm and elegant.

A blue accent wall with complimentary artwork, furniture and decor.
Painting idea #2: an accent wall can change the feel for a room. This blue wall with complimentary artwork lends an air of calm sophistication to this room.

Behind your bed or couch may be an ideal choice for an accent wall. And after you’ve painted, select artwork, mirrors and other decor like throw pillows that compliment your color selection.

Painting Idea #3: Liven Up Your Home Office Space

If you spend lots of time in your home office, why not liven it up with some color? A comfortable work space increases productivity and energy levels while working.

Reds and yellows raise energy levels while greens and blues add serenity and calm. Consider consulting with an interior decorator to create the perfect palette for productivity.

Are you someone who likes to brainstorm and jot ideas on the whiteboard? Specialized coatings transform any wall into a dry erase surface! The clear version overlays on any color, so you need not limit yourself to white.

Painting Idea #4: Bring Good Fortune in Your Kitchen

Did you know that people naturally gather around the kitchen? If you like entertaining, why not make your kitchen more appealing for guests and family alike? A fresh coat on the walls brightens up the space and makes meal prep time more enjoyable. And a little red might bring you good fortune!

A kitchen with red cabinets and a tiled back splash.
Painting idea #4: compliment your back splash with pops of bold color. These red cabinets bring a modern edge to this kitchen space.

Painting your own kitchen is doable, but it can significantly disrupt your home life. You’ll need to move large appliances and protect countertops and other food prep surfaces from drips. You may not be able to use the kitchen at all for a few days. A job of this size might be one for a professional painting company.

Painting Idea #5: Personalize Your Child’s Bedroom

Time to graduate from that teddy bear covered wallpaper? As children grow up, their bedroom should mature with them. However, this might be the space for more neutral colors. That will allow your son or daughter to update the decor as their tastes change.

But if your child is still young enough and excited to help, you could let them have a hand in the action… literally!

A white bedroom wall covered in a family's painted hand prints.
Painting idea #5: Spice up a neutral wall with your family’s colorful hand prints.

Painting Idea #6: Give Your Room a “Trim”

You don’t have to paint the walls in a room to freshen it up. Touching up the trim can improve the aesthetic appeal of a space as well. Baseboards notoriously get dinged and dirty quickly. Repainting door frames, window sills and crown molding can also brighten up a room.

Painting Idea #7: First Time Painter? Start Small.

Your bathroom is a great place to start with if you don’t have much experience. It is typically one of the smaller rooms in your house, so it may not be as time-consuming to paint yourself. Need to hire professional painters to fix mistakes? It won’t cost as much with less real estate to cover.

A redesigned bathroom featuring a new coat of paint, tiles and fixtures.
Painting idea #7: white walls and fixtures can make a room feel cold and antiseptic. A splash of color can change the vibe and refresh the space.

A fresh coat is also a great excuse to redecorate. Coordinate a shower curtain, towels and wall art with your color of choice. It will change the vibe of the most used, and oft neglected, room in your house.

Get Help Bringing Your Painting Ideas to Life

Painting is a common DIY home improvement project. But it is also time-consuming and exhausting work that disrupts your home life. If you prefer to hire a painter to do the job, HomeExpert can help! Tell us about your painting project, and we’ll match you with pros near you. Compare multiple quotes and choose the right pro for the job.

Then sit back, relax and enjoy the new look and feel of your home!

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