Repainting is one of the most affordable ways to give your home a fresh new look. Lighter colors make rooms feel larger and airier, while bold shades can add drama and personality.
Be sure to follow proper painting techniques to ensure a long-lasting, high-quality finish. Buying paint in bulk can also save you money. Talk with Wilmington Painters before getting started.
Paint
A fresh coat of paint is the cheapest and easiest way to make your home feel new again. Whether you go with minimalist earthy shades like white (Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17) or a classic stone blue like Farrow and Ball Stone Blue FP40, or if you’re willing to take the risk of trying something bold, painting can give you a big impact for very little money.
Painting your house is a great way to add value and curb appeal. Repainting your home every seven to ten years is an easy and cost-effective way to keep it looking its best.
You can also use paint to create a unique feature in your home such as painting your stairs. This can be a fun and creative project to do with your family, friends, or even yourself. Choose a color that is sure to grab attention, such as bright red or Mediterranean turquoise, and watch your guests marvel at your handy work. If you are going to be spending a lot of time on this project, invest in some trusted painting supplies that will last. Painting supplies such as tarps, brushes, painter’s tape, and paint rollers can be reused for multiple projects, cutting your overall costs significantly.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper has become easier to tackle for a beginner DIYer, and it’s a great way to add pattern and color without making the space feel too overcrowded. If you’re concerned about committing to a specific design style for years to come, consider investing in removable wallpaper that can be easily removed when the time comes to switch things up.
If you’re ready to take the plunge with traditional wallpaper, try something bold like palm leaves or floral motifs for a family room, home office, or bedroom. Or, go more minimalist with an earthy shade like Sherwin Williams Green Sprig or Farrow & Ball Stone Blue.
For a more subtle look, you can also give your walls an upgrade with paneling. This budget-friendly home renovation idea can instantly make any room feel bigger and more sophisticated while adding texture and character to the space. Try a rustic shiplap wall in the bathroom or kitchen, or give bedroom, hallway, and living room walls a more contemporary makeover with beadboard, wainscoting, or board and batten. Paneling is especially beautiful in homes with vaulted ceilings. It creates a sense of grandeur that can’t be achieved with paint alone. It’s also a cost-effective alternative to crown molding for rooms with high ceilings.
Paneling
Many homeowners struggle with the idea of changing or updating their homes with a limited budget, but fortunately, there are numerous contemporary solutions on the market that can help. One option is wall paneling, which can add incredible character to a room while not costing as much as a full remodel.
Wood paneling can be used in a variety of ways, and the versatility of the material means that it will suit most styles and tastes. For example, it can be used as wainscoting to add a classic look to a bathroom or kitchen, or it can be incorporated into the ceiling of a den-like home, making for a striking accent wall.
If you are looking for a modern take on the traditional look of paneling, consider painting it a bold color to create a high-impact feature wall. Popular colors for this style include warm whites such as Benjamin Moore’s White Dove OC-17, earthy green grays like Sherwin Williams Olive Sprig PPG1125-4, or stone blues such as Farrow & Ball’s Stone Blue FB-65. You could even opt for a rich lacquer finish if you’re feeling adventurous!
Crown Molding
Crown molding is a great way to add a touch of style and elegance to your home. It hides the unsightly seam between the wall and ceiling and is available in a variety of styles, from the simple to the elaborate. Crown molding also adds value to your home, so it’s a wise investment.
When selecting crown molding, consider the vibe of the room and the overall look of your house. Ornate molding might not go well with your rustic log cabin while modern homes require simpler trim. You should also choose the right thickness for your space. Too thick of trim can overwhelm a small or low-ceilinged room, while too thin won’t provide the presence that spacious rooms need.
There are many types of crown molding, from traditional wood to composite materials like vinyl, polyurethane foam, and extruded polystyrene. Composite moldings have patterns modeled after traditional plaster styles, but they are lightweight and easier to install than wood crown molding. You can also find flexible molding that won’t break, allowing you to decorate around curved doors and windows. There are also various widths of crown molding available, so you can match it to the size of your room or to the existing baseboards and window trim.
Ceilings
Painting the ceilings in your home is an inexpensive way to make a room look brighter and bigger. However, there are a few things that you should know before you try this project. First, you’ll need some basic painting supplies like a drop cloth, a roller, a paint bucket, a small plastic cup to hold your paint, and a roller extension pole (it’s like a long handle that screws onto your roller, but it’s made specifically for climbing ladders). You’ll also want to pick up a broom handle, which screws into your paint roller handle so you can reach those hard-to-reach places in the corners of your ceilings.
When painting your ceiling, you should work in sections about 4 feet by 4 feet in size. This will help you stay on track and ensure that each section doesn’t dry before you finish rolling the next one. It’s also a good idea to use a roller with a lambswool cover to minimize the amount of spatters that you create. Also, don’t skimp on the paint – it’s better to go with a higher-end paint that promises quality coverage than a lower-quality brand. This will save you money in the long run because you won’t have to repaint as often.
Window Boxes
Window boxes are an easy and affordable way to add greenery and a pop of color to your home’s exterior. If you plan to install them, choose a container that will accommodate your chosen plants, measure the space to ensure it’s large enough and purchase the necessary hardware to attach the box to the wall or railing.
Depending on the plants you choose, your window boxes can provide flowers, foliage, or both. Use repetition to create a cohesive look, as a decorator did by planting hers with repeating groups of ivy ball topiary and ‘Aaron’ caladium. This creates the illusion of height, making your plants look fuller.
Fill in the rest of the space with your choice of colorful flowers. The red-centered ‘Katrina’ African iris, orange ‘Katrina’ calibrachoa, and ‘Mona Lavender’ plectranthus provide bold color, while the white ‘Aaron’ caladium and spiky maroon cordyline fill in the spaces between them.
For the best results, keep your flower boxes healthy by removing any annuals that won’t survive cold temperatures and adding mulch to protect them from frost damage in winter. Bringing your box indoors during winter is also an effective way to keep it looking its best, as it helps the roots retain moisture.
House Numbers
House numbers are a small detail that can have a big impact on your curb appeal. They serve both a functional and decorative purpose, helping guests and first responders find your residence in case of emergencies. Choose thick sans serif fonts to maximize visibility and a color that complements your home’s exterior trim and hardware. Backlit or illuminated house numbers add a dramatic element to your landscape and are especially helpful at night.
Aside from aesthetics, size is also important for house numbers. It is recommended that they be at least 4 inches high to ensure readability from the street or road fronting your property. Additionally, your address numbers should contrast with their background and be unobstructed by tree limbs, bushes, or debris.
Creative house number ideas work well for any architectural style. For example, a cottage-style home benefits from a streamlined design while farmhouse-style homes benefit from a rustic finish and organic shapes. Matching your house numbers to other outdoor features such as window frames, lighting, and hardware creates visual cohesion and demonstrates that you have thought about the details of your exterior design. For instance, an oil-rubbed bronze house number plaque brings a rich, warm tone to a cotton-white farmhouse porch while reclaimed wood numbers bring a natural, lived-in feel to a weathered brick wall.
