DIY Projects You Can Do With One Can of Paint
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Make DIY Contemporary Art
Brilliant strokes of pink in this painting create high-contrast drama against pure white walls and credenza in this space designed by Tara Benet. Grab a canvas and some brightly-hued leftover paint and create this look at home.
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Create a Neon Animal Garland
Combine two hot trends with an easy-to-create animal garland. Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind purchased toy dinosaurs at a discount store, painted them in various neon colors, then attached twine and hangers for a cute kids' room accent.
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Photo: Timberly Jones
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Turn a Mirror Into Art
Mirror, mirror on the wall, what's the coolest art piece of them all? Color-blocked paint turns this vintage looking glass into eye-catching, contemporary artwork.
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Add Stripes to a Staircase
Take a cue from designers Cortney and Robert Novogratz: They painted candy-hued stripes on a plain white staircase to add a hint of whimsy and fun.
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Paint the China Cabinet Shelves
Turn a basic glass-front cabinet into a colorful accent by painting the inside back and shelves. Here, white dishes pop agaist the new soft pink hue. For a similar look, try Cool Melon by Behr.
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Photo: Photography by Philip Friedman/Studio D.
From:
HGTV Magazine
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Paint Thrift Store Candlesticks
Bring dated or tarnished gold candlesticks up-to-date, easily, by adding a coat of paint. For a thoroughly modern look, add candles in same hue as your paint like the editors of HGTV Magazine did here.
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Accentuate Window Trim
Infuse a space with excitement by painting white trim a fun new shade. Ballet pink trim (Calamine by Farrow & Ball) adds even more visual interest to the paneled walls in this laidback kid’s room. Hanging Roman shades, instead of traditional curtain panels, let's the painted trim shine.
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Modernize a Traditional Brass Chandelier
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Revamp a Yard Sale Dresser
Give a yard sale dresser a brand new look (and cover up imperfections) with just a little bit of paint. Clean up the drawers, then set them aside and paint the hardware, top and sides with one hue.
Get the full how-to from HGTV Magazine.
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Customize a Dining Table
The painted pink stripe (Coral Reef by Sherwin-Williams) running along this handcrafted dining table makes it even more unique.
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Customize Basic Bookshelves
A plain white bookcase comes to life with a pretty peacock hue peeking out from behind books the and decor. The plush pink chair cozies up next to it, creating a colorful reading corner.
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Add Detail to a Basic Door
Contractor-grade doors don't have to be boring. Use an accent color to paint the insets for a modern, graphic detail. Design by Kristin Fountain Davis
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Photo: Marcus Meisler.
From:
HGTV Handmade
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Give Closet Doors a Colorful Upgrade
This color- and pattern-packed bedroom is full of fun design ideas, but the closet doors just might steal the show. Use one color or a few leftover samples to turn a set of boring bifold doors into an unexpected bedroom focal point.
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Or, Add a Surprise Inside
White paneled double doors open to reveal a dynamic blue hue inside this preppy bedroom closet. A fresh coat of paint will make even the most cluttered space look a little neater.
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Paint a Coffee Table
In this light-filled living room ombre curtains and throw pillows coordinate with the glossy, painted coffee table (Petula by Bridget Beari Colors).
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Upgrade Bamboo Furniture
Painted bamboo furniture pieces are experiencing a resurgence. Transform a cheap secondhand dining set into a high-end designer piece with just a coat of high-gloss paint and new fabric on the seats.
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Photo: Photography by Philip Friedman/Studio D.
From:
HGTV Magazine
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Add Color to a Tired Coat Rack
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Paint the Front Door
It takes less paint than you think to add a new hue to your home's front door. As seen in HGTV Magazine, this classic home's entry is electrified with a high-voltage green (Feel the Energy by Benjamin Moore).
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Give a Vanity a Modern Update
Give your existing bathroom vanity a bold new look with fresh paint and updated hardware. You won't believe it's the same piece!
How to Paint a Vanity
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Make Quick Painted Animal Bookends
A brick and a pair of toy animals look impossibly high-end when glued together and painted in one bright hue. Genius!
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Give Basic Pots a Modern Touch
Turn plain terra-cotta pots into a unique home for houseplants with just a little paint. Use plain white as the base, then fit the pot with a rubber band to easily tape off the asymetrical section. Then, add a bright, fun hue.
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Photo: Jennifer M. Ramos.
From:
HGTV Handmade
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Paint Picture Frames
Empty picture frames gathered at flea markets or craft stores can become an impactful gallery wall when painted and grouped together on a large wall. Paint them the same color as the wall, like this immersive guest room drenched in Matcha Latte by Clare, or opt for a contrasting color that pops.
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DIY a Colorful Headboard
Add style, color and texture to your bedroom with this an upcycled headboard that looks anything but DIY. High-gloss paint in a bold teal hue (H03330 by Fine Paints of Europe) accentuates the curved lines and decorative details on this vintage wooden piece.
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Photo: Tomas Espinoza.
From:
HGTV Handmade
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Or, Paint an Arch Instead
Creative homeowner Michelle Norris painted a half-circle in her bedroom to create the look of an oversized headboard. “It’s one of my favorite painting details in the house,” Michelle says. “It’s a really fun structural trick that I feel like I’ve seen more and more online."
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Turn Hula Hoops Into A Chandelier
Oh, the miracle of paint. A coat of a metallic hue can turn basic dollar-store hula hoops into a stylish chandelier.
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Made-Over Modern Desk
Play up a vintage desk's midcentury modern style by painting drawer fronts lemon and lime, like the editors of HGTV Magazine did here.
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Create a Faux Stair Runner
Give a plain white staircase a whole new personality by creating a faux runner. Paint the outer edges, add stripes and stamp Xs and Os on the risers for a new, whimsical look.
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Make a Painted Market Basket
Customize a natural seagrass basket by adding bold designs in a vibrant summer color.
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Paint a Pattern
Freehand a simple design, like this Moroccan-inspired pattern DIY blogger Kristin Fountain Davis created using just a little bit of contrasting paint. Don't worry about imperfections: Slight variations mimic the look of (pricey!) hand-painted wallpapers.
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Paint Vintage Luggage
Beat-up old suitcases take on new life when painted with a bright new hue.
Stack a set as a bedside stand, or use just one to neatly store photos or paperwork under a console table.
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Make Modern, Geometric Wall Art
It's amazing what painter's tape, some patience and pretty paint colors can achieve. The finished artwork will look like a modern canvas straight out of a museum.
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Milk Bottle Makeover
Cover clean bottles with a spray primer that works on glass; let dry. Then spray-paint the bottles and just inside the tops with vibrantly-colored paint.
More DIYs From HGTV Magazine
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Make Custom Desk Organizers
Unify containers like Mason jars, vases and tin cans to create a matching desk accessory set. All it takes is a coat of bright white paint and a few embellishments.
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Nesting Tables
This set of nesting tables turns playful when you spruce it up with eye-catching paint colors. If your tables have lots of nicks or aren't in great condition, sand them first.
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Paint Inside Your Drawers
Add an unexpected splash of color to the inside of your kitchen cabinets, dresser or nightstand drawers by painting them a bold hue, like this shade of eye-catching shade of sky blue.
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Stencil Floral Plates
Give mismatched china new life by painting on a fun stencil and hanging pieces in on a big, empty wall.
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Stencil a Basic Table
With a little paint and a lot of time, you can create a stenciled coffee table inspired by intricate Moroccan tile work.
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Make Hanging Ombre Vases
This project is a fun and colorful way to recycle baby food jars. After they are wired together, the jars can be used to add a splash of color to a plain window. http://www.hgtv.com/accessories/upcycle-baby-food-jars-into-hanging-ombre-vases/index.html
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Add Splash to a Set of Frames
Add pops of color to plain white frames by painting photo corners or highlighting edges with stripes.
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Bold Bathroom Door Trim
Update a drab bathroom door with some trim and a little contrasting paint.
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Paint the Mailbox Flag
Add instant curb appeal with a quick and easy mailbox update for less than $20. Design blogger Erin Loechner painted the traditional red flag a vibrant yellow. Modern letter decals and a simple metal post complete the look.
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Dip-Dyed Stool
Dip your toe into the the dip-dying trend with this simple, budget-friendly accent. Design blogger Erin Loechner faked the color-blocked look by taping off the same amount of each leg and painting it bright white.
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Chevron-Patterned Dresser
Give a basic chest of drawers designer flair with a painted chevron pattern in three, five or seven of your favorite paint colors.
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Painted Bottles
These vintage gold bottles probably have a rich history, but you can easily mimic the look by painting extra Mason jars and liquor bottles. Add shine to a bedside table with a group of three tiered pieces. (Design by Erinn Valencich)
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Make Painted Utensils
Add a personal touch to basic bamboo utensils by dipping them in your favorite hue. To make them gift-worthy, gradually add white paint to the base hue as you dip for an ombre effect.
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Paint a Chair's Spindles
With just a little bit of leftover paint adorn a dining chair's spindles with a rainbow of bright colors.
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Ginger Jar Lamp Makeover
Never let the color of a lamp deter you from taking it home. Ginger jar lamps are readily available at thrift stores (this one was just $6), and can be easily updated with a few coats of paint.
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Turn Foliage Into Artwork
A few clippings of foliage and some spray paint transform a blank canvas into bright, modern wall art.
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Modernize Drapery Rods
You don't have to break your budget to create a whole new window treament look. Paint basic metal drapery rods and rings bright white, then thread on inexpensive, patterned sheers.
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Just a Little Paint? Mix and Match
Using sample jars of paint — just $5 each — the editors at HGTV Magazine gave this bookcase a bright, color-blocked makeover. This project is also ideal for those last few inches of a quart of paint.
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Make a Dropcloth Tablecloth
Make a chic and affordable tablecloth with a basic dropcloth. Use painter's tape and white paint to create stripes, triangles or your own custom design.
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Make Your Own Abstract Art
Create an abstract diptych on canvas by brushing on circles in various sizes atop a contrasting background. Here, black and white add graphic punch to this otherwise-neutral bedroom. Design by Kristin Fountain Davis
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Stenciled Baskets
Inexpensive baskets are plentiful at yard sales and thrift stores. Transform them using a stencil and just a tiny bit of paint.
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