5 Small, Budget-Friendly Paint Projects That Can Completely Transform Your Home

Every once in a while, we all get an itch to do something different with our home’s interior design . Whether that means modernizing an older home with new furniture or taking it down to the studs, there’s quite a range to work with. For a more budget-friendly, high-impact change, you’ll need two things: some paint and a brush.

“Small amounts of color can make a big difference to the look and feel of your home,” says Joa Studholme, a paint expert and the color curator for Farrow & Ball . “Don’t be afraid to experiment. Let your imagination run riot!”

Thanks to her own imagination, Studholme has come up with the following areas that could use a fun pop of color in your home:

1. Start with a Closet, Cabinet, or Bookshelf

Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

Feeling a bit intimidated? Here’s a pro tip from Studholme about where you can get your feet wet: Go for the teeniest nook in your home.

“If you are a lacking in confidence in your painting skills, the easiest of these projects is to paint the interior surfaces of a closet, cabinet, or bookshelf as there is no need to use any masking tape as the edges cannot be seen,” she says. “I have often painted pieces of card that fit into the back of shelves, meaning that you don’t have to paint the actual wall—and can change the color seasonally!”

2. Add a Painted Frame to Unexpected Areas

Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

Archways, windows, and more all welcome a border for a simple, yet bold look. Depending on your skill level, you can paint on a color-blocked design or a more artistic decoration. Of course, you can create these unique elements on a blank wall, too.

3. Mimic the Look of a Headboard

Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

Save hundreds and make visitors do a double-take with two-dimensional, painted-on headboard designs. This idea is particularly adorable in a children’s bedroom or guest room with two twin- or full-size beds.

4. Step up Your Staircase

Courtesy of Farrow & Ball

You walk up and down your stairs every day, but there’s a new way to imagine them: with bright, or even striped, paint colors. We’ve previously recommended painting floors with a neutral color like white , but we love the originality of these multicolored staircases.

5. Get Creative with Furniture

Your walls aren’t the only things you can paint. If you’ve been wanting to swap out or update your furniture, it’s the perfect alternative for a fresh take on your interiors.

“Painting furniture can be a small project—particularly wooden chairs or stools, which, if artfully placed, can add an extra dimension to your home,” Studholme says. “I have to admit that I paint almost anything—my pantry has been much enhanced since I painted the fridge door in Etruscan Red Modern Eggshell .”