7 Places You Aren't Using Paint (But Should!)

If you’re hoping to change up the look and feel of a room on a budget, there’s nothing that can make as big of an impact as paint does. No matter what color you choose, paint sets the mood for the room. While you might only be thinking of painting the four walls, there’s so much more you can do with paint. Here are seven places in your home that you probably aren’t painting—but should be.

Kitchen Cabinets

Replacing kitchen cabinets is a significant expense. But paint will make a big difference for so much less. If you have high-quality cabinets in good shape, they can be relatively easy to paint. Just be sure to remove the hardware and take the doors off the hinges to ensure an even application. While kitchen cabinet painting is something you can DIY, it can be a big project, so you may want to get some help. And don't forget to prep, sand, and prime the surface before painting (here are a few more cabinet-painting mistakes to avoid).

Trim and Moldings  

If your trim and moldings are painted the same color as your wall, you are missing out on a huge design opportunity. If you want a dramatic effect, go with a bold color. For example, black trim against a white wall has a chic modern look. Hunter green trim and moldings look sleek with neutral-hued paint on the walls. You can even choose something like light pink or blue for a bedroom with traditional vibes. The possibilities are endless here.

Wood Furniture

Sick of that desk you’ve had since college? Over your old dining chairs? Wood furniture is expensive to replace, especially if it is solid wood. But a little bit of paint and a free weekend is all you need. Just be sure your furniture is in good condition and probably prepped (you may need to sand, clean, and prime first), or else the paint may end up looking uneven. Follow our complete guide to painting wood furniture so you won't miss a single step.

Mantels

A fireplace is such a wonderful architectural feature, but an old, boring mantel can make your fireplace stick out like a sore thumb. If you have a wood or brick mantel, repainting it can make it look and feel entirely different. Go with a dark shade to contrast your wall and make the mantel pop. Or, consider a limewash paint for something more unique.

Beams 

If you live in an older home, you might have exposed beams. If the wood just doesn’t work with your current aesthetic, consider using a few coats of paint. If you don’t like your beams, paint them the same color as the wall and ceiling to help them blend in. If you love this architectural element but the stain is faded or doesn't work for you, consider priming and painting them a contrasting color to the walls.

Ceilings

When it comes to paint, reach high and paint your ceiling a different color than the wall. This works particularly well in smaller spaces like bedrooms, kids’ rooms, and powder rooms. You can experiment with color in a fun way here. You can also consider something more sophisticated in the dining room—especially if you have a tray or coffered ceiling. A jewel tone or a moody hue will add serious ambience to this space.

Small Bathrooms

If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with your home's design—there isn’t a better place than a small bathroom or powder room to test out a bold design idea. While many of us ignore these spaces, there are so many great design opportunities here. If you want to go with a color that perhaps doesn’t match the rest of your design scheme, this is the spot to do it. Best of all, it’s unlikely you’ll need more than one can of paint. So, this project can be very inexpensive.