21 Easy Paint DIYS That Give Your Home A Unique Pop Of Color

If your home has been feeling a little lackluster recently, you may be tempted to whip out your paintbrush and transform your walls with a fresh new shade. However, painting and repainting the walls of your bedroom, living room, dining room, or kitchen isn't the only way to bring new inspiration into your interior space. And don't worry, you can still put your paintbrush skills to good use.

It may not seem like it, but your home is likely filled with plenty of nooks and crannies that can be a blank canvas for your color creativity. From bathtubs and light switches to stairs, furniture, and even the edges of doors, you can create little unique peeks of color all throughout your home. And the best part? You can do it all yourself. No fancy equipment is required for most painting DIYs, just a little time and a lot of inspiration. In addition, the upside to using paint for an interior refresh — rather than purchasing new decor or furniture, for example — is that you can customize everything, from the precise shade to any stencils or patterns you like the look of. There's nothing that says you have to stick to solid colors for these DIYs, so they are a great opportunity to unleash your imagination and incorporate patterns that can add dimension and style to any room. So, why not check out these clever painting ideas and try a few of them out for yourself?

If you have exposed wooden stairs, they can sometimes melt into the background of your house without adding much character. Painting the risers — the vertical part of each step — can actually be a great way to add depth and visual interest to this otherwise overlooked area. Use ombre tones to add a satisfying gradient, or go for a fun pattern, such as book spines, for a clever literary theme unique to your reading tastes. If you decide to paint the treads too, start with every other stair so you can still use them during the process.

Not keen on the idea of painting your stairs, or have carpeted stairs that you can't paint? Try adding a coat to your banisters instead! You may have been looking for ways to update an old banister in your home, and painting is a wonderful, unique way to add personality to your space. A fresh coat means that your banister adds to your decor, rather than just working alongside it. Opt for a dark color to highlight the shape of the stairs or a lighter shade to make your space feel bigger and more open.

Don't have stairs? Don't worry! You can still tuck a great pop of color into your entryway — or any room of your house that features shelving. Whether you have hanging shelves or a built-in unit, painting them in a unique color can help them stand out and highlight whatever you've chosen to display on top. For a feel of cohesion, why not try out a color that matches a few key pieces in the room, such as books or furniture?

If you'd like a pop of color that you can bring out whenever you choose for a lovely surprise, you could always give your closet a bright new paint job. This is a great, simple DIY that you can use if you want to take a risk with a fun color but aren't sure if it should be visible all the time. By painting the inside of your closet a new shade, you can make your space more versatile, with a different feel when the closet is open or closed.

Many people treat switches as an inconvenient aspect of interior design. As a result, they are often left plain white. However, if you're looking to add a true flash of color to your home, painting your light switches is a great way to accomplish that. Grab an eye-catching color or go even bolder with stencils — like these Felixcraft flower stencils – to bring a sense of whimsy and fun to unexpected places in your home. This is also a renter-friendly hack because the covers can be replaced or repainted at any time.

Another small DIY with a big impact is painting lampshades. Many shades come in toned-down beige or white colors, which give center stage to the lamp base and softly diffuse the light. However, if you're exploring how to do maximalist decor in your home, you can paint them yourself to boost the colors and patterns in your space. Simply mix 1 part paint with 3 parts water, and then cover your fabric lampshades with whatever design you like.

Did you know you can create a fascinating and impressive illusion effect using paint? If you want to delineate certain areas of your space but don't want to splash out on a large area rug, you can actually paint the floor itself to achieve the same effect. This is easiest when done on unfinished hardwood or concrete, because the material is better at taking on the paint. So, why not try out this cheap and interesting way to add color and interest to your floors?

Paint is a great way to bring color to areas of your home that may otherwise feel bland or uninspired. While you may have thought about painting your doors or their frames, have you considered adding paint around the outside? This can be accomplished in a number of different styles, from painting a sweet frame around the door for a touch of elegance to adding a border of colorful wildflowers for a more cottage-style look. For an extra pop, consider choosing shades that contrast with the trim or the door itself to really make the color stand out.

There is actually another unique area of a door that can be painted to add a fascinating pop of color to your home: the edge. This is a great way to bring a hint of color into a space without completely overwhelming it. Whether you want a subtle accent color to shine through whenever the door is open or want a neon shade you can display at will, painting the edge of your door is a super versatile option. Try taking the door off its hinges to avoid drips on the floor or the door itself.

When redoing a room in your house, you may find yourself spending a lot of time carefully painting your trim just for it to be a quiet, off-white color that fades away the second it's done. But if you'd rather have your hard work celebrated and pop off the wall, why not paint your trim in a color you love so that it envelopes the whole room? Bright tones can help emphasize the room's size and shape. Or you can try one similar to the door color to create a satisfying gradient effect while still infusing extra color.

Window frames in the past have often stayed plain in order to emphasize the view, but many people have recently realized that this doesn't always have to be the case. If the view outside your window isn't particularly interesting or feels devoid of color during certain times of the year, you can add some spring freshness with just a quick coat of paint. Try a shade that matches your painted trim for all-over color. Alternatively, choose a unique color just for the windows that makes them feel special and intentional.

If you live in a traditional farmhouse or a modern warehouse conversion, it is possible that your home features some exposed wooden or metal support beams. And while painting these beams white can help to make a space feel more open, you can actually paint them any color you want. For an eclectic or maximalist feel, consider a fun pattern that adds energy to the space. Alternatively, if you're going for a more subtle look, colors such as dark green or burgundy can lend an elegant, timeless feel while still adding a new dimension.

An island can often become the main point of interest in a kitchen due to its size and position. It makes sense, therefore, that it should be painted in a color that makes you feel happy whenever you enter the space. A blue or green shade is great for contrasting with lighter-colored cabinets while maintaining a sense of cohesion. Or stay up to date on trends using jewel tones such as dark purple, emerald green, or metallic gold. Just make sure to use a paint that resists scratches for a long-lasting finish.

Do you have an interesting architectural feature in your home, such as an arch? Believe it or not, you can actually highlight that area using a can of paint in your chosen color. Painting the underside of an arch gives it dimension and draws the eye to it, allowing you and your visitors to appreciate its unique shape. To really make it stand out, choose a color that contrasts with the walls, turning it into a focal point between the two rooms it separates.

Wood-paneled walls are often associated with the 1970s, when they were used to decorate everything from offices to basements and even dining rooms, and their orange-wood aesthetic can often make a space feel outdated as a result. So, if you're looking for a way to infuse your home with a lot of color, you may want to start with your existing wood paneling. The benefit of adding a new shade to your paneling is that the material comes with its own texture, adding interest and depth to whatever tones you choose.

Similar to windowsills and trim, bathtubs are generally left white to leave room for other design elements in the space. However, if you're a fan of maximalism or you want the bathtub to be the star of the show, why not paint it for a pop of color right in the center of the room? The bottom of a roll-top bathtub can be refinished with a special bathtub paint to contrast with the stark white of the top, and paneled tubs can be repainted to help set them apart from the walls.

Existing architectural features of your home aren't the only things you can refresh with a coat of paint, though. One type of item that you likely already have — or can attain without too much trouble — is wooden furniture. Adding paint to dining chairs, bar carts, dressers, or tables can brighten a room and hide any dents or flaws on the piece. If you'd prefer to keep most of the item's original look, you can always paint just a few choice details to add color without completely covering the wood.

If you like the look of painted wooden furniture but want a little more texture, you could always give painting your wicker furniture a go instead. This organic material is woven to make chairs, benches, and tables. It is typically painted white or left in its natural light brown shade. Adding a new color, however, can really make these pieces stand out and look more original. Make sure to use a varnish on top of the paint to keep your piece protected from future wear and tear, however.

Lamp shades aren't the only lighting accessory you can paint to give your home a pop of color. If you have a pendant light, chandelier, or any other metal or paintable light fixture, you can give it a completely new look with a coat of paint. You might not even have to take the fixture down if you use some painter's tape to protect the ceiling. Make sure to use a secure step ladder and have someone hold the base in order to complete this DIY safely.

Radiators aren't just for heating your home. They can actually create an interesting pop of color in your space, too. This DIY is best done using a heat-resistant paint while the radiator is completely off. Choosing a fun or statement color for your radiators is a great way to bring brightness to the lower half of the wall, which is often neglected or devoid of decor. In addition, this DIY can help make your home look more customized and modern rather than overly conventional.

Don't have radiators? If not, your home likely has some vents for heating or cooling, which may be an eyesore due to their metallic grey or stark white colors. While it is tempting to paint these vents an inconspicuous color, why not consider painting them a completely different shade instead for a unique spot of interest? Try out a matte paint in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom to create a nice contrast to shiny tile and appliances, and make sure to use rust-resistant paint to give your new vent color a longer lifespan.