Never underestimate the power of paint in transforming a space. Affordable and ideal for both renters and homeowners alike, paint has the ability to breathe life into rooms both large and small.
Whether you’re a novice DIYer or have some experience completing home improvement projects, you understand the impact that paint can have when it comes to walls, furniture, shelving, cabinetry, and beyond.
Here, we’re highlighting 52 amazing different DIY paint transformations that work for everyone: beginners, experts, and anyone else in between.
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01
of 52Colorful Cabinets
If you’re not happy with the current state of your kitchen cabinets, you can always paint them. Select the color of your choosing and go to town painting your drawers and doors. Note that you’ll want to select a color that will complement your existing backsplash and countertops, but with that in mind, the possibilities are endless.
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02
of 52Bathroom Border
If your bathroom features wainscoting, consider painting it to really make it pop. Here, this blue shade looks beautiful alongside the floral wallpaper that covers the upper half of the room.
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03
of 52Reimagine Brick Walls
While exposed brick walls are beautiful in their natural state, many people do choose to paint over them for a softer, more subdued look. White is one of the most common colors that people opt for when covering exposed brick. The texture of the brick will still be visible underneath your paint and will add plenty of character to your space even when covered.
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04
of 52Ceiling Cover
@notaperioddrama / Instagram
Go all in with the wallpaper of your choosing in a living room, bedroom, bathroom, anywhere. Then, instead of covering the ceiling, paint it. You will want to pull from one of the colors that comes from your room decor or your wallpaper print—in this case, green is a sleek, stylish choice.
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05
of 52Pretty Beams
If your home features exposed wooden beams, you may choose to paint over them to add some colorful flair to your space. This light green paint adds a dose of whimsy—and sophistication—to this dining room and complements the space’s colorful, cheerful design without distracting the eye.
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06
of 52Eye-Catching Trim
@jewelmarlowe / Instagram
Even if you don’t choose to paint your walls a bold color, you can still have fun when it comes to your trim. Here, white walls and green trim pair together to create a classic, welcoming look. Painting your interior doors as well will help make your space appear even more cohesive.
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07
of 52Dotted Wallpaper-Like Design
@kate_decorates / Instagram
This dotted design is full of energy, and you can trick guests into believing it’s wallpaper with such a professional-looking application. The best thing about a freehand design like this one is that you don’t have to worry about it looking too perfect. Some variation in dot size and placement is normal—and encouraged—to create an authentic looking pattern. Try any color for a fun accent in any bedroom.
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08
of 52Revamp Bookshelves
@sarahlyon9 / Instagram
If your bookshelves are feeling a bit bland, consider painting just their backs. Here, black adds a sophisticated touch without distracting from all of the stacks of books and trinkets on display within this living room. You could also paint each section a different color or alternate paint colors every other shelf if you’d like.
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09
of 52Colorful Kitchen Additions
@home_ec_op / Instagram
Turn your kitchen into a colorful retreat by painting your cabinets and even your range hood, if it allows. Give this room, where you spend so much time already, a nice makeover and a fresh feel.
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10
of 52Upgrade Standard Shelving
Once you’ve assembled those storage shelves for your living room or home office, go ahead and paint them. This will make even the most common big box store pieces appear a bit more unique, while allowing you to customize them to your home’s aesthetic.
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11
of 52Go All in with Color Drenching
Rather than solely painting the walls and cabinets and calling it a day, remake your space by getting every spot including the interior doors. Color drenching is a popular look at the moment, and going all in with one hue is the name of the game. Plus, when you color drench, you don’t need to add many other accessories into a room. The presence of color ensures that the space doesn’t fall flat or appear too empty, and very much speaks for itself.
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12
of 52Make Over the Mantel
@sarahlyon9 / Instagram
If your wooden mantel is looking a little worse for wear, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. White is a great choice for those inspired by classic, Parisian spaces, but you can go a bit funky and grab a turquoise, hot pink, whatever comes to mind. You could even go a bit off the beaten path and paint stripes, polka dots, or shapes on your mantel; if so, use stencils and painter’s tape for a cleaner, more consistent look.
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13
of 52Modernize the Bookshelves
@home_ec_op / Instagram
Painting your bookshelves ensures that they’ll instantly serve as the focal point of your living room. This bright blue is full of life and immediately adds visual interest to this already colorful space. Of course, if you desire a more subtle look, you could for a gray, sage, or cream.
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14
of 52Reno the Bar Cart
@kate_decorates / Instagram
Make your bar cart even more festive by painting it in a peppy color like this bright pink. This is a great way to repurpose a thrifted or salvaged piece that shows signs of wear without breaking the bank. It’ll also livening up any room in need of a small burst of unexpected color.
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15
of 52Add Intrigue to the Bathroom
Make your bathroom niches really stand out by painting them. This soft green adds a soothing touch, balancing out the busy wallpaper and bringing a spa-like feel to the space.
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16
of 52Carve out a Colorful Nook
@marypattondesign / Instagram
Take a bar nook to the next level by painting it in a color that will bring you joy. This is a great opportunity to experiment with a hue that you might not ever intend to use in your full kitchen or dining room but can appreciate in smaller doses.
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17
of 52Accent Wall with a Twist
@home_ec_op / Instagram
Instead of a traditional accent wall, try picking just one sliver of the wall to paint and give the room a surprising pop of color. This orange shade complements the rust-colored couch next to it wonderfully, as the room follows a classic color design guideline.
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18
of 52Dreamy Dresser
@sarahlyon9 / Instagram
If you’re looking to refurbish a piece of vintage furniture, a bit of paint can make a world of difference. This dresser, which was previously beige in color, was transformed thanks to a bit of spray paint. You can also replace a piece’s original hardware with some new knobs that better reflect your personal style.
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19
of 52Wow-Worthy Windows
Painted windows add so much character to any space. In this bedroom, the pop of soft sky blue couldn’t be more charming and plays nicely to the natural view outside.
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20
of 52Island Inspiration
@home_ec_op / Instagram
Paint a plain wooden island in a bright shade to bring a bit more life into your kitchen. Green helps bring the outside into your home and celebrates the natural world around us, and yellow brightens up every space. You can still leave your cabinetry plain white as a compromise if you’re feeling a little shy about going all in with color everywhere.
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21
of 52Stylish Dog Crate
@kate_decorates / Instagram
Dogs deserve stylish spaces to curl up in just like everyone else. Give your dog crate a fresh feel and coat of paint so that it looks like less of an eyesore; instead, it’ll complements your own personal aesthetic.
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22
of 52Color Drench in a Kid’s Room
@katepearcevintage / Instagram
This color drenched bedroom sure is dreamy. Orange paint is used on the bunk beds, walls, windows, and beyond, resulting in a magical looking sleep space that’s extra perfect for young children.
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23
of 52Replicate This Cute Frame
@the_happy_door / Instagram
Give a wooden frame a facelift by painting it so that it’ll better fit into your home. This paint project is easy for all skill levels and will only take minutes to complete. Kids will enjoy trying their own hand at picture frame painting and may like using stencils to spell out their names or initials as well.
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24
of 52Paint the Tub
@ellashausofcolour / Instagram
Express your personality and shock your guests by painting the bathtub. Pretty pink and green stripes add a cabana-like feel to this bathroom. The color scheme is carried over onto the walls, where pink and white stripes make an appearance, and even onto the bath linens and shower curtain for a cohesive theme.
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25
of 52Classic to Contemporary Chair
@chairwhimsy / Instagram
Combine classic and contemporary styles by painting a traditional cane chair using a bold shade. For some extra fun, reupholster the seat with some equally cheerful fabric, like this sunny yellow and white checkered print. Keep an eye out for cane chairs of this style at vintage shops, thrift stores, and flea markets where you will be able to score big without spending too much in the process.
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26
of 52Fake Some Built-Ins
@green_is_my_neutral / Instagram
Make your cabinets appear to be built-in by painting them the same color as your walls. Also do away with some visual clutter or disguise other storage methods by making them blend right in. But not everything needs a coat; leaving the fireplace mantel and shelving in their natural wood state warms up this elegant bedroom.
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27
of 52Colorful Office
Working from home doesn’t have to be boring—you can shape your office so that it contains your favorite colors. Consider going for a two-toned look, pairing a couple of different colors together on the wall as seen here. There are so many other creative paint projects that you can do in an office, whether that is painting a wooden desk or chair, adding wallpaper to the ceiling, painting the frame of a bulletin board, and more.
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28
of 52Magnificent Mural
@mclayhome / Instagram
Murals are one way to add dimension and color to any room of the home. If you’re handy with a paintbrush you can freehand your own, or you can opt for some stencils to help get you started. Bets of all, if your taste changes down the line, you can simply paint over your design.
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29
of 52Abstract Mural
If a full mural depiction seems like too difficult an undertaking, try something a little more abstract. Playing with simple shapes and colors, like seen here, can be an easier way to tackle a mural than a full depiction. Try sketching out a mock-up beforehand on paper by free-handing intersecting lines, and play with how color might add an extra dimension.
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30
of 52Terrazzo on the Walls
@lacasaveradesigns / Instagram
Terrazzo is awesome on the floors and countertops, so give it a chance on the walls. This terrazzo-inspired mural is an excellent way to infuse an assortment of colors into your space while replicating a popular pattern.
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31
of 52Stripes with a Funky Twist
@taracottasunrise / Instagram
Create an optical illusion with this colorful patterned design that will instantly take any blank wall to the next level. The best part of this design is that you can recreate it using a number of hues, taking it from ’70s pop to moody accent.
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32
of 52Copy the Decor
@courtneylawrencestudio / Instagram
If you decide to weave a certain textile into your space and wish to keep the look going, draw inspiration from the print at hand and paint it onto your wall. This orange design is the perfect cheerful addition to a nursery and looks beautiful on the accent wall.
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33
of 52Classic Rainbow Colors
@second.hand.home / Instagram
Alternatively, stick with a traditional rainbow design and adorn any blank wall with colorful stripes. For a little extra visual fun, add some scalloped edging as seen here.
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34
of 52Add Color to the Staircase
@eclectically_made / Instagram
If your stairs aren’t inspiring you, try painting them. You can paint each riser a different color, opt for a rainbow look, or make up your own grouping of colors, alternating every other step or every three, like in the arrangement here.
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35
of 52Paint Your Wooden Floors
Painting wooden floors white will add a coastal, serene feel to any room of the home while allowing other star features—like wallpaper or ornate curtains—to do the heavy lifting.
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36
of 52Rethink a Plain Corner
@jen.scherr / Instagram
Turn an average corner into a focal point with a bit of paint. The exact design you choose can be simple or complex depending on your style. If you wish to expand your creation over time, just add more paint and keep going up or down on the wall to fill more of your space.
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37
of 52Cover Some Scuffs
@foreveryoungfarmhouse / Instagram
Camouflage scuffs by painting a white island a fun color that will also bring you joy every time you gather in the kitchen. In this kitchen with white cabinets and a white backsplash really any color goes well.
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38
of 52Try a Squiggle Design
@case_haus_37 / Instagram
No art, no problem. Go all in with a squiggly design that will add major interest to your home in no time. You can opt for a layered look with multiple colors, as shown here, or stick to a tonal look using various shades within one larger color family.
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39
of 52Fun Bedroom Focal Point
@studioplumb / Instagram
Make a major statement behind the bed by painting a shiplap wall in one of your favorite colors. While this bedroom still features a headboard, you could definitely forgo one if you wish—a wall like this one provides the illusion of a headboard on its own.
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40
of 52Cheerful Bathroom
@studioplumb / Instagram
Bathrooms shouldn’t be plain and boring. Paint the trim in yours using a cheerful color that you know will brighten up even the sleepiest of mornings. For an added bonus go a step further and install wallpaper—whether it’s permanent or peel and stick.
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41
of 52Paint a Side Table
If you’re looking for a small scale paint project that you can easily take on in an afternoon, consider painting a side table. This is a great way to add some vibrance to your living room and upgrade a thrifted or inexpensive piece.
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42
of 52Add Some Stripes
@hitchandcord / Instagram
Rather than letting your petite entryway go to waste, add some color and pattern to it by painting a few decorative stripes on the wall. This approach is nice because it adds personality to a small nook without overwhelming it. You can finish off your design with some framed art, as exemplified here.
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43
of 52Painted Window Seat
@thisoldclintonvillehouse / Instagram
If you’re lucky enough to have a window seat in your home, why not make sure that it fully complements your design scheme by painting it a color that makes you happy? Here, this sizable green bench looks lovely paired with soft pink walls.
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44
of 52Substitute Painting Walls
@provincialfarmtouch / Instagram
Maybe you’re renting and are unable to paint the walls in your kitchen. Regardless, you can still add your own personal spin to the space by painting some of your storage furniture. This bookshelf and hutch add a shabby chic flair to this cooking space and are extremely functional, too.
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45
of 52Painted Wicker
@stylishly_curated / Instagram
Take plain wicker to the next level by spray painting it using the color of your choice. No matter if you opt for a simple white as shown here or go all out with a bolder shade, you can easily update a shelf or table that you already own with just a splash of color.
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46
of 52Sleek Window Design
@foreveryoungfarmhouse / Instagram
Add some dimension to your windows by painting the interior frames black. This type of upgrade is subtle, yet impactful, and you will be able to appreciate its effects every day.
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47
of 52Fake an Arch
Carve out a niche in a room, or add a dramatic flair to any wall, by adding a painted arch. Here, it sections off the furniture that fits within it to act as its own independent space within a larger room.
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48
of 52DIY Artistic Creations
Paint your own art if you’re feeling inspired. Whether you wish to paint a portrait, still life, abstract, or all three, you may enjoy taking some time to sit down and let your creative juices flow. Plus, you’ll be able to show off your own masterpieces to guests when they come to visit.
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49
of 52Nightstand Drawer Upgrade
If you like the shape of your nightstand but aren’t thrilled with the color, a little bit of paint may be all that you need. Here, painted mint green drawer fronts add visual interest to this bedside table without overwhelming the space with color.
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50
of 52Painted Vanity
@houseofchais / Instagram
Your bathroom can be a great place to take design risks since it’s small in size and closed off from the remainder of your home. With that in mind, paint your vanity a color that makes you smile and add colorful accents for a beautiful sanctuary.
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51
of 52White Bathroom Floors
Painted white floors shine again in this powder room, which features other white accents that create a cohesive setup. Additionally, the hand-painted feel of the wall decor leaves an all-white space from feeling too sterile.
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52
of 52DIY Stencil Wall
HausChic / Jacob Fox
If you like the wallpaper look and want to test out your DIY skills, try making a unique pattern yourself. With a stencil and the right measurements, guests will be asking where you bought such beautiful wallpaper.
If you’re anxious to start all on your own, tackle a small area of the wall that can be sectioned off. If you surprise yourself with your skill, then take on the whole thing.