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Brighten Up

Make any space livelier with a splash of color

No doubt about it—neutral palettes are beautiful in a room. But let’s say you’re yearning for just a bit of sunny yellow, robin’s egg blue or even tomato red? You can satisfy your color craving by revamping any of the following with a few strokes of a brush:

 

  • Stair risers or treads. Paint stair risers (the vertical surface of each step) or the stair treads a solid color. Or try painting a faux carpet runner (look online for step-by-step tutorials).

  • The back of a bookcase or a cabinet. Rather than painting an accent wall, paint the back of a bookcase or cabinet for a pop of color to wake up your room and turn it into a focal point.

  • A ceiling. There’s no rule that says you have to paint a ceiling white. Step out of your comfort zone and seize the opportunity to make your room a little more exciting. (Just keep in mind that darker colors will make the ceiling feel lower.)

  • A chair or two. Give salvaged chairs new life by painting them in vivid colors, then mix them up with more subdued hues.

  • An interior door. As it does the ceiling, painting an interior door adds a touch of the unexpected. Vivid colors make an impact, especially if the door has interesting molding.

Add a little pep to your steps with your favorite hue Add a little pep to your steps with your favorite hue
Transform a bookcase from boring to beautiful Transform a bookcase from boring to beautiful
Change up a ceiling with a coat of color Change up a ceiling with a coat of color
Refresh reclaimed chairs for your kitchen—or any other room Refresh reclaimed chairs for your kitchen—or any other room
Make a statement with a brilliant door Make a statement with a brilliant door