Paint Color and Decorating Tips

Quick changes with paint make your home sparkle during the holidays and every day.
Home interior with staircase

TS-87800889_interior-staircase_s3x4

Home interior with staircase

Photo by: Jupiterimages

Jupiterimages

Paint expert Debbie Zimmer offers painting contractors and homeowners suggestions on how to create a festive atmosphere for the holidays — and all year 'round — to every room.

Add a glossy frame. Artwork is always improved with the addition of a beautiful frame, and your wall space is no different. Update a room by adding color and shine to trim work and doors — the "frame" around the room. Highlight these areas with semi-gloss or gloss paint in a complementary hue to the wall color. Glossy finishes add sparkle and interest, and assist in differentiating one space from another. They also provide the added benefit of durability and long-lasting wear, especially in busy family gathering spaces.

Take a color cue from holiday gift bags. Incorporating several colors into a space is often a stumbling block for many do-it-yourselfers. By simply perusing the gift bag aisle, you'll find exciting and unusual combinations that are often easily transferable to your space. This tip works especially well when contemplating hues for tweens and teens.

Look up and celebrate the ceilings. Let the ceilings sparkle. Add shine and sophistication to dining spaces by painting these often bland areas with a high sheen product. If you are not quite ready to change your entire ceiling, add a stencil pattern in a glossy hue for a touch of high style.

Texture, texture, texture. Integrate texture into a space for added interest and appeal. "When working with a monochromatic or single color scheme, wall texture will provide depth and warmth," Zimmer says. The addition of bead board, paintable wall coverings or glazing over an already painted surface will provide subtle interest and a three-dimensional appearance.

Next Up

How to Paint & Stencil Ceramic Tile

Remodeling on a budget? Give outdated floors a refresh with our step-by-step guide to painting and stenciling ceramic tile. All you need are a few basic supplies and a free weekend to totally transform the look of a laundry room, bathroom or other place in your home that's plagued by old or dirty tile. The best part? You can do it all for less than $75 and without special equipment.

Paint Farmhouse Pumpkins With Homemade Chalk-Style Paint

Paint your pumpkins with a special trick to add rustic, vintage texture. These pumpkins will cozy up any home for fall.

Paint It Black: Inspiration and Tips for Bold Interior Doors

Bold, black paint can turn even the most basic builder-grade closet doors into architectural statements. See how to make a black door work in your own interior space.

Painting Kitchen Backsplashes

Find out everything you need to know about painting your kitchen backsplash, plus our favorite techniques to inspire your next DIY project.

How to Properly Paint Your Home's Exterior

Give your house a fresh, updated look with exterior paint.

Painting Kitchen Countertops

Is painting your kitchen countertops an attractive alternative to replacing or resurfacing your counters entirely? HGTV says the answer is a resounding, "Yes!"

How to Stain or Paint a Wood Fence

Proper maintenance like applying a fresh coat of paint or stain to your fence will help make it last longer and keep it looking great. Follow these tips and instructions to turn your tired, old fence into a backyard statement piece.

Paint Colors for Small Kitchens

Energize your small kitchen with a coat of fresh paint to the walls and cabinets, and consider soft neutrals or bold color combinations that will make your space seem larger and reflect your design style.

How to Paint a Tile Backsplash

Give your kitchen a facelift this weekend with a little elbow grease, some 220-grit sand paper and a lot of epoxy paint. Find out how to paint a tile backsplash with this step-by-step guide and shop everything you need to get started from our comprehensive materials list.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Get all the details on how to paint kitchen cabinets in this step-by-step guide.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.