25 Easy Decorating Projects With One Tin of Paint
Add colour, style and fun with a simple tin of paint – it's the quickest way to freshen up a room
When it comes to getting the most value for your decorating budget, there is no question that paint reigns supreme. But if you really want to make the most of your purchase, try stretching that tin of paint by using it in a number of smaller projects.
Whether you’re starting with a full tin or are wondering what to do with the last few drops, there is sure to be something here to inspire your next project.
Whether you’re starting with a full tin or are wondering what to do with the last few drops, there is sure to be something here to inspire your next project.
Bedroom + a little paint = decorative accents
If you have just a smidge of paint left, try painting some inexpensive decorative mouldings to accent your wall instead.
If your wall is already a colour, paint the mouldings white; if you have white walls, try grey mouldings for a chic look.
If you have just a smidge of paint left, try painting some inexpensive decorative mouldings to accent your wall instead.
If your wall is already a colour, paint the mouldings white; if you have white walls, try grey mouldings for a chic look.
Bedroom + a little paint = chevron dresser
Give that old dresser a makeover with a carefully applied chevron pattern. If you prefer something simpler, try alternating thin and wide stripes, or just paint the drawer fronts.
Not confident about this but like the look? Contact artists and craftspeople in your neighbourhood.
Give that old dresser a makeover with a carefully applied chevron pattern. If you prefer something simpler, try alternating thin and wide stripes, or just paint the drawer fronts.
Not confident about this but like the look? Contact artists and craftspeople in your neighbourhood.
Bedroom + a little paint = new accessories
Unify a collection of mismatched trays, bowls and jewellery holders with a fresh coat of white paint. Metallic would be really pretty, too.
Unify a collection of mismatched trays, bowls and jewellery holders with a fresh coat of white paint. Metallic would be really pretty, too.
Living room + lots of paint = feature wall
A rich-hued feature wall can do wonders to liven up your space. Choose your wall wisely – the new colour will draw attention to this spot, so make it a place you want people to notice.
A rich-hued feature wall can do wonders to liven up your space. Choose your wall wisely – the new colour will draw attention to this spot, so make it a place you want people to notice.
Living room + a little paint = painted brick fireplace
For some reason, people hesitate before painting over brick fireplaces. Yes, some old homes have really beautiful original fireplaces that it would be wise to leave alone, but if your brick fireplace has been irritating you, nothing is stopping you. Get out your paintbrush and hop to it!
For some reason, people hesitate before painting over brick fireplaces. Yes, some old homes have really beautiful original fireplaces that it would be wise to leave alone, but if your brick fireplace has been irritating you, nothing is stopping you. Get out your paintbrush and hop to it!
Living room + a little paint = new life for an old mirror
An old mirror, or even the mirrored door of an old armoire, can be updated with a coat of colour on the frame. If you have some of your wall colour left, try lightening it with a bit of primer or white paint for a subtle look.
An old mirror, or even the mirrored door of an old armoire, can be updated with a coat of colour on the frame. If you have some of your wall colour left, try lightening it with a bit of primer or white paint for a subtle look.
Stairway + lots of paint = painted runner
Have a dark staircase? Ask a local painter to update it by painting layers of light colours. Start with a white base, follow with the main runner colour, then accent with a thin border stripe.
Have a dark staircase? Ask a local painter to update it by painting layers of light colours. Start with a white base, follow with the main runner colour, then accent with a thin border stripe.
Stairway + a little paint = number stencils
Short on paint? Leaving the stairs bare, use a basic number stencil set and apply paint to each tread.
Short on paint? Leaving the stairs bare, use a basic number stencil set and apply paint to each tread.
Kids’ room + lots of paint = blackboard wall
This now-classic look has remained popular for a reason: it’s fun! What child doesn’t want to be able to draw on the walls?
This now-classic look has remained popular for a reason: it’s fun! What child doesn’t want to be able to draw on the walls?
Kids’ room + a little paint = dramatic doorway
Try your hand at painting an ornate border around an open doorway. Make a template using a roll of paper and tape it to the wall to create an outline you can follow.
If you don’t have a steady hand, see whether a local painter will create a frame to your design.
Try your hand at painting an ornate border around an open doorway. Make a template using a roll of paper and tape it to the wall to create an outline you can follow.
If you don’t have a steady hand, see whether a local painter will create a frame to your design.
Kids’ room + a teensy bit of paint = spice rack book display
Collect a few inexpensive spice racks from Ikea for this super-easy project. Simply paint the racks, allow them to dry, then attach them to the wall.
Collect a few inexpensive spice racks from Ikea for this super-easy project. Simply paint the racks, allow them to dry, then attach them to the wall.
Kitchen + lots of paint = patterned accent wall
Try your own take on a Union Jack motif, in whatever colours strike your fancy… or whichever colours happen to be lying around in your cupboard.
If you’re renovating your kitchen, simply add this to the list of jobs for your decorators.
Try your own take on a Union Jack motif, in whatever colours strike your fancy… or whichever colours happen to be lying around in your cupboard.
If you’re renovating your kitchen, simply add this to the list of jobs for your decorators.
Kitchen + a little paint = blackboard fridge
If you have a bit of blackboard paint left over from another project, I love the idea of using it to cover up a boring fridge for an instant message board.
If you have a bit of blackboard paint left over from another project, I love the idea of using it to cover up a boring fridge for an instant message board.
Kitchen + a teensy bit of paint = stencilled wall art
Make a statement with a single oversize number or letter, carefully stencilled.
Make a statement with a single oversize number or letter, carefully stencilled.
Craft room + lots of paint = whitewashed floors
A white floor may not seem like the most practical choice for a craft room, but it feels fresh and creative, and is surprisingly useful – just try finding that stray bead on a dark floor.
For a professional finish, contact painters and decorators in your area through the Houzz Professionals Directory.
A white floor may not seem like the most practical choice for a craft room, but it feels fresh and creative, and is surprisingly useful – just try finding that stray bead on a dark floor.
For a professional finish, contact painters and decorators in your area through the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Craft room + lots of paint = painted pinboard
Organise the tools of your trade and hang art in a creative display with a simple pinboard. Match your walls or contrast with them – the choice is yours.
Organise the tools of your trade and hang art in a creative display with a simple pinboard. Match your walls or contrast with them – the choice is yours.
Craft room + a little paint = embellished crates
Basic wooden crates are transformed into a creative storage and display area with a fun new hue. For added zing, line the backs with wallpaper scraps or pretty wrapping paper.
Basic wooden crates are transformed into a creative storage and display area with a fun new hue. For added zing, line the backs with wallpaper scraps or pretty wrapping paper.
Bathroom + lots of paint = chic wide stripes
Ask your decorator to continue a wide stripe from the interior of the bathroom right onto the back of the door for an unexpected twist.
Ask your decorator to continue a wide stripe from the interior of the bathroom right onto the back of the door for an unexpected twist.
Bathroom + a little paint = tub makeover
Give your roll-top bath a coat of colour – dark grey, black or bitter chocolate will look chic and sophisticated. Or try red, pink or vibrant blue for a more daring look.
Give your roll-top bath a coat of colour – dark grey, black or bitter chocolate will look chic and sophisticated. Or try red, pink or vibrant blue for a more daring look.
Bathroom + a teensy bit of paint = tin can containers
Turn old cans into useful vessels for everything from plants to make-up brushes with a touch of colourful paint.
Turn old cans into useful vessels for everything from plants to make-up brushes with a touch of colourful paint.
Dining room + lots of paint = patterned floor
Whether you go for a classic pattern or modern stencils, painting a design onto the room floor means you can forgo a rug. Paint the background first, or let the natural wood peek through, as shown here.
Again, you might prefer to ask a painter to tackle this one, as a pattern even slightly off-centre or out of line could spoil the effect.
Whether you go for a classic pattern or modern stencils, painting a design onto the room floor means you can forgo a rug. Paint the background first, or let the natural wood peek through, as shown here.
Again, you might prefer to ask a painter to tackle this one, as a pattern even slightly off-centre or out of line could spoil the effect.
Dining room + a little paint = updated sideboard
Paint just the fronts of the drawers and cupboards to give your sideboard a two-tone look. Alternatively, if you have a glass-front cabinet, try painting just the inside of the cupboards for a subtle change.
Paint just the fronts of the drawers and cupboards to give your sideboard a two-tone look. Alternatively, if you have a glass-front cabinet, try painting just the inside of the cupboards for a subtle change.
Home office + lots of paint = gallery wall
When you’re having your study decorated, choose a deep dark hue as the backdrop for an art wall to add interest – and (hopefully) give the space some creative energy.
Once the colour has been applied, try out your arrangement of objects on the floor before hanging it to be sure it works.
16 beautifully organised office shelving ideas.
When you’re having your study decorated, choose a deep dark hue as the backdrop for an art wall to add interest – and (hopefully) give the space some creative energy.
Once the colour has been applied, try out your arrangement of objects on the floor before hanging it to be sure it works.
16 beautifully organised office shelving ideas.
Home office + a little paint = DIY wall art
Think you can’t make art? All you need for this project is a plain stretched canvas from your local art shop, masking tape (to mark out the chevron pattern) and paint.
Tell us…
Have you recently undertaken a painting project? Share your experiences and photos in the Comments section.
Think you can’t make art? All you need for this project is a plain stretched canvas from your local art shop, masking tape (to mark out the chevron pattern) and paint.
Tell us…
Have you recently undertaken a painting project? Share your experiences and photos in the Comments section.
If you have a colour plus a tin of white paint, this project is for you. Take your time plotting out the pattern with masking tape (I recommend starting the weekend before). For the best results, paint one colour and let it dry before applying the second.
This design needs patience and a steady hand, so it might be worth asking a decorator to do it for you.
Find painters and decorators in your area.