7 Household Items You Can Fix With Paint

It’s common knowledge that a house can be renewed in no time with a fresh coat of paint on the walls, trim and ceilings. But paint is a miracle worker that can transform way more than just drywall. And the best part about painting is that most of it can be done yourself and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to get the necessary supplies. Let’s explore 7 common home fixtures that can be restored with a little paint and elbow grease.

Wood Railings & Stairs

If your house is already a few decades old, it sometimes doesn’t matter how gorgeous those natural hardwood stairs and railings are, if the stain is out of style.

Luckily, this is an easy fix. You’ve got two options for updating the wood: paint or stain. Your choice probably depends a lot on your personal taste and what is going to vibe with your current home decor and style. Stain brings a rich, luxurious and warm look to your home. Paint can brighten and modernize the room.

Another popular trend right now is mixing both techniques. Some homeowners like to paint the tread of the stairway (the part you step on) a bright white or modern black, while leaving the riser (the vertical piece that connects each stair) a stain that matches the rest of your hardwood floors.

Tub & Tile

Did you know that a standard porcelain, fiberglass, acrylic or cast iron bathtub can be painted?! This is probably the one item on this list you’ll want to outsource, but don’t stress out, it’s a very low cost service to have done.

The average homeowner would call this “painting”, but the correct terms for restoring the surface of tubs, tile, sinks and showers are tub reglazing, refinishing or resurfacing – all can be used interchangeably.

This service involves repairing any blemishes in the top layer, like minor chips, followed by some light wet sanding to smooth everything out. Then the surface is treated with a mild commercial acid to help the tub or tile bond to the coating. From there, an industrial grade coating (aka super high end bath paint with hardeners) is applied to the fixture. The result is a new-looking glossy tub or tile wall.

Doors

Whether you paint or stain them, doors can be fully transformed by a newly applied coat. Be sure to thoroughly clean your doors and wipe them dry before starting the paint project. Any paint you apply will pick up dust and particles that were stuck to the door previously. 

Also, because doors get so much daily use, you’ll want to stick with the highest quality paint products (don’t go cheap here) and apply at least 2-3 coats. If not, you’ll soon find chips in your paint due to the wear and tear your doors receive every day.

Furniture

Lest we forget about our furniture! Yes, those real wood dining tables, kitchen chairs, coffee tables, end tables and desks can all be restored with a fresh stain or coat of paint.

Whether you’re simply trying to restore it to that like-new look again or whether you want to totally change the look of your furnishings to a more modern style, a good paint job should do the trick.

Shelving

As homeowners, many of us can be guilty of excitedly rushing to decorate or brand new home when we first move in, only to neglect updating the decor for years afterward. 

One of the simplest and most cost effective updates we can make is painting the shelves. One idea is to coat them a bright white to lighten up the room and create contrast against dark photo frames and accessories sitting on them. Another thought is to paint them a color that compliments your decor, but adds a pop of personality. 

Cabinets

Whether you choose to outsource this time-consuming project or take it on yourself, painting or restaining your kitchen and bathroom cabinets is an undertaking that will pay off big time. Kitchens and baths are what sell homes, so the better yours look, the more marketable your house will be, come listing time.

With this particular project, you’ll want to be more particular about planning ahead and using the highest quality paint brands and products. It’s a big job to tackle and, because cabinets receive daily abuse, you don’t want to skimp on the product you apply.

Wood Flooring

In the case of flooring, we suggest staining rather than painting because paint won’t hold up for very long against heavy foot traffic. Restaining your hardwood floors is a great way to modernize the look of your home, without the high cost of replacing those boards.

There are companies that specialize in this service or, if you’re particularly industrious, you could take this on yourself with a little training and the right floor sanding machine – just be careful not to over-sand! 

Like cabinets, this project is also a big undertaking and you’ll want to plan for that because your rooms will be out of commission while you’re working on this makeover. Nonetheless, it’s an excellent choice to update your floors without too much expense.

Ready to see how much of an impact you can make with a little paint in your home? Try any of these ideas and see just how fresh your house will look.

 

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