How painting projects to update your decor can be accomplished in one weekend

Updating the decor in your home doesn’t have to be a long, laborious or expensive process. Instead, get a little instant gratification by using paint to easily refresh areas and items throughout the house. With a little cash and a free weekend, you can makeover your house right now.

Furniture facelift

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Whether it’s an old pair of chairs in the attic or a desk that’s seen better days, it’s easy to breathe new life into pieces of forgotten furniture with a fresh coat of paint. You can add interest and a pop of color to any room. A semi-gloss finish works best when painting furniture because it’s easy to clean and hides any imperfections. For a helpful tip and extra protection, brush on two thin, even coats of water-based polyurethane.

Door do-over

Changing the color of an interior door can make a big impact in any room. The key to getting this update right: color selection. Choose a color similar to your walls for the door, because you don’t want the contrast to be jarring. Be sure to paint the frame too, so the door doesn’t seem to float in space, and use a gloss or semi-gloss finish. When applying paint or primer, work from the center of the door outwards in the following order: molding, inside panels, rails, stiles.

Step to it

For an unexpected update, paint an area of the house that doesn’t usually receive a lot of love — your stair risers. They can get nicked and scuffed easily, so a fresh finish — and color — can really perk up the staircase. If you’re unsure of which shade to choose, cut and paint cardboard pieces the same size of the risers and position them on the steps to get an idea of the effect. Apply latex primer to wooden risers or metal etching primer to metallic ones.

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Painting is the easiest way to make a dramatic and instant impact on a room. This weekend, get inspired and makeover with these simple, inexpensive projects.