Weekend warrior painting

Homeowners are often advised to keep the home neutral and avoid decorating with anything too bold or personal. But to make a house your home, the decor should reflect your personality and style. A solution: don’t make permanent commitments. Paint is an easy, cost-effective way to infuse color and patterns that transform the aesthetic of a room or furniture.

Regardless of whether you’re a masterful painter or do-it-yourselfer, paint projects don’t have to be time-intensive or overwhelming. A little paint and creativity can go a long way toward refreshing your space.

“The key to achieving professional-looking results is using the right tools,” said interior decorator Martin Amado. He uses high-quality paint brushes and painter’s tape with advanced edge-lock line protectors. Here are some project suggestions from Amado.

• Color block your furniture. Take the dining room from drab to fab by painting the bottom halves of table legs and chairs in a bold, solid color. You can change the look each season if you wish.
• Enhance tired armoires. Play dress up with your armoire, and give its doors a makeover. Paint a colorful border around the front of the door and adhere adhesive hooks in the middle for a stylish, functional, new piece.
• Create a lavish “headboard” for less. Save money by painting a frame on the wall just above your bed. Rectangular shapes work best for most beds and you can try patterns such as stripes, chevron and diamonds.
• Install faux panel moulding. No moulding? No problem! Buy inexpensive frames and paint them the same color as your baseboard trim. Adhere the frames to the wall (without the backing and glass) for a simple, dramatic, look. Or, instead of purchasing frames, paint basic shapes directly on the wall. Mount artwork or photos onto the painted backdrops.
• Make a wall statement. Pick your favorite pattern trends and bring them to life on one wall of the living room or bedroom. If you’re not ready to take on patterns, bold and bright colors will do the trick.

For more tips to transform your rooms with paint, visit 3MDIY.com.