Paint Color Ideas & Tips

These projects look complicated, but the materials list couldn't be any simpler.

This budget-friendly upgrade is totally doable in a weekend—and way easier than replacing a whole tile floor!

This project adds instant warmth and character.

Paint can save you from replacing your siding altogether.

With so many people having extra time on their hands these days in quarantine, it’s hardly a surprise that home improvement projects seem to be on the rise—after all, what better time than now to spruce up your space? One couple documented their DIY painting job of one singular wall by creating a homemade version of an HGTV show, and yes, it’s filled with all the silly suspense and surprises you’d expect.

The fifth wall's color makes a big difference!

No, we didn't forget any zeros in that total.

As Twitter will tell you, Gaga’s floor was the perfect backdrop for her performance.

It’s all about finding new “canvases” for color.

According to real estate experts.

A dark bath gets a technicolor redo—for free!

The main four walls get a lot of love already—here's how to take care of the fifth one.

We promise!

This one-day project gives your walls instant character.

Low effort, high impact? Our favorite kind of project.

You're going to want to pick up a paint brush after seeing this!

A couple hours' work of work can make a major impact.

Even seasoned DIYers might not be able to name all four. Can you?

Here's how to do it right, whether you're working with oil, latex, or spray paint.

Paint gets another point in the "W" column.

White kitchens have their place, but these might just be better.

You don't have to live with the splatter. We've got pro tricks for how to remove them, even if they're totally dry.

Stuck with stubborn wallpaper? You don't have to rip it down to change the look.

You don't have to remove it to improve it.

Keep things light.

Make your next paint job a breeze with these expert tips.

Don't miss the boat on this trend!

It's cozy season, and dark walls are very on brand.

These furniture makeovers let natural wood have the spotlight.

Move over, white and beige!

You'll be itching to refinish your own dresser once you see these beauties.

It's amazing what a can of paint can do.

This new space has major spunk with minimal investment.

These stunners will have you running to the paint store on the double.

Murals are BACK, baby, and they're more stylish than ever.

Some well-placed shapes and a can of paint is all you really need to turn your walls into a work of art.

Don't know what to use with Classic Blue? Don't worry, we've got you.

Whether you want a little Classic Blue or a lot, these projects will help you stay on-trend for 2020.

Spoiler: White walls are a no-no.

For those of us (hi, me) who like our chores to feel a little less chore-y.

We put the Datacolor ColorReader to the test—here's our verdict.

When Georgia natives Sarah and Ryan moved into their two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles, they knew they wanted to give the bare white walls a custom treatment. Inspiration struck as Sarah was browsing—where else?—Reddit.

The pros weigh in.

Don't be scared of the dark side! We've got expert tricks on how to make deep hues work in your home.

Pack a punch in your bathroom, thanks to these standout shades.

Everything you need to know about this color that's making a comeback.

Can you guess which one it is?

Paint is one of the easiest ways to transform your home. And while simply picking a new color and rolling it onto your walls will do the trick, sometimes you're looking for something a little more exciting. Thankfully, the 2020 IKEA catalog dropped this week, and it's full of great ideas for your next home project.

We asked experts at some of the biggest paint companies and got to the bottom of this age-old question.

Get your space back on track with these helpful tips.

Goodbye, neutrals. Hello, bold, beautiful black rooms.

Your tastes might've changed since you were a kid, but the color of your childhood bedroom might inform your current style.

Designer-curated paint company Clare has recently increased its palette from 55 to 56 hues with the introduction of its newest color—and fans had a part in choosing it.In response to the demand for a new color, the company decided to make it a collective endeavor by inviting customers to weigh in or what the next shade would be.

This kitchen was small and it didn’t help that it had a tiny, barely usable breakfast nook just off to the left. Honestly, I don’t think a bagel, let alone a human, could fit in that space, so it just didn’t make sense to keep it. On top of that, the small kitchen was dark and uninviting.

Anne-Claire recently completely a guest bathroom makeover and was so pleased with the results of that project that her own master bathroom suddenly looked, in comparison, a little sad and cluttered. She decided to change up that one too, but wanted to keep the project small and cheap (and doable), so major moves—like changing the tiles—were not an option. The whole project took a week and cost around $130.

Walk into any recently renovated home today and chances are you’ll see a lot of greige—a neutral color that’s the perfect combination of gray and beige. There’s no denying it’s the paint color du jour. It’s funny how, oftentimes, you can instantly pinpoint how modern (or not) a room is just by looking at the color of the walls. Some day our children might look back and wonder why we all plastered our walls in such a boring color!

Before Ashley put her guest house up on Airbnb, she wanted to give the bathroom a fun update. It was simple and sparse in comparison to the rest of the home, so, even though she was working on a tight budget, she was determined to use her DIY tricks and unique style to make it an exciting space for guests. Ashley carved as much time out of her schedule as she could—during nap times, evenings, and weekends—to work on the bathroom.

We all know about the transformative power of paint for your wall, ceilings, and even floors, but have you thought about updating your furniture? With all the great colors and techniques out there, it’s easy to freshen up an over-loved piece or thrift flip something plain and make it extraordinary. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite paint transformations to get you started. Faux textured furniture can quickly look dated once the original finish gets dinged.

On a day off, just for fun, the owner of this house transformed its plain white facade with a very colorful paint job. This is utterly delightful—playful and vibrant with a dreamy palette that must make passersby wish they could be invited in. Roxanne of @daintylibrarian frequently creates fun, colorful DIYs that are whimsical and unpredictable. This particular shade of pink is perfection: sophisticated and modern without a hint of saccharine.

Consider these drawbacks.

Make your whole project that much easier.

But we're so glad it happened.

Floors are often called the sixth wall for a reason. They offer up ample design opportunity: You can leave them bare, layer some stylish rugs, or even use a fresh coat of paint to quickly transform the ambience of an entire room. So to inspire some of your future floor-painting endeavors, we rounded up nine rooms, all from Apartment Therapy home tours, that will send you straight to the paint store. If you thought black floors would darken a room, then think again.

This bathroom definitely had a look going on: lots of wood, plenty of lace, and baroque lights hung from chain swags. But after one week of hard work, the room is now a pink powerhouse packed full of handmade touches. Racheal Jackson—@banyanbridges on Instagram—did every single bit of this outstanding renovation, laying tile, installing a new sink and faucet, painting, creating a concrete countertop, and refacing the vanity doors and drawers.

Take this warm-toned kitchen, add one or two gallons of paint and some well-priced accessories then subtract one wall and the textured vinyl floor, and suddenly there’s a brand-new kitchen, full of life, light, and color. And all for only $800. Kelsey Sigars—@kelseylenesigars on Instagram—made smart, thrifty choices that have transformed this kitchen.

Painting is one of the easiest home improvements out there, and most people—whether renters or homeowners—have picked up a brush at some point in their lives. It’s also an easy project to jump into without asking questions first or thinking about the right ways to do things. Instead of wasting your time and money, here are five things you should positively, never, ever do with your interior paint. But what does one DO with all that paint? We’ll save that for another day.

This bathroom was pretty nice, with a pleasantly neutral palette, big windows, and all the fixtures and finishes appearing to be in fine shape. But now, thanks to a mind-bending paint job, it is bright, poppy, bold, and fantastically fun. The tile, toilet, and tub are the same (at least so far), but the wall and floor have a dramatically different look.

Three cheers for lenient landlords.

Painting a door is a time-efficient, budget-friendly way to refresh a room. It can help break up the blank space and create a focal point just like a large piece of art, but it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The best part? It’s just paint! You can switch it up every time you’re in the mood for something new. Taking the door off the hinges can make the job easier, but it’s not totally necessary.

It was in serious need of a spruce up.

Here's what you should know, before you pick up that paint roller.

This tall, vintage, secondhand dresser needed a little wood filler and a lot of love, so its new owner gave it all that and a gorgeous coat of paint that totally transformed its look. The new owner of this dresser, who bought it on Craigslist for $75, described it as “a glossy cherry wood… ick!” It did, however, have nice lines, antique charm, and plenty of refined details without too much old-fashioned folderol.