Paint or Wallpaper Walls
Fresh paint is the single highest-impact, lowest-cost update you can make. A full room repaint takes a weekend and transforms the entire feel of the space.
Time Required
1-2 days
Cost
$150-$1,200
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Choosing Colors
- Test before committing: Buy sample pots and paint 2x2 foot swatches on different walls. Colors shift dramatically between natural and artificial light.
- Warm whites: The safest choice. Swiss Coffee, White Dove, and Alabaster are designer favorites that work with any style.
- Accent walls: One wall in a deeper tone (behind the sofa or fireplace) adds depth without overwhelming the room.
- Consider the light: North-facing rooms feel warmer with cream or greige. South-facing rooms handle cooler tones like gray-blue.
- Match the mood: Warm tones (beige, cream, sage) feel cozy. Cool tones (gray, blue, white) feel fresh and modern.
Painting Steps
Prep the room
Move furniture to the center, cover floors with drop cloths, tape off trim and ceiling edges with painter's tape. Fill nail holes with spackle.
Prime if needed
Prime over dark colors, stains, or patched areas. Self-priming paints work for color-to-color changes on clean walls.
Cut in edges, then roll
Brush a 2-inch border along corners, ceiling, and trim. Then roll the large areas with a 9-inch roller using W-shaped strokes for even coverage.
Apply two coats
Two thin coats always beat one thick coat. Wait 2-4 hours between coats. Remove tape while the final coat is still slightly tacky for cleanest lines.
Pro Tips
- •Use eggshell finish on walls: Eggshell is washable and hides imperfections. Flat paint shows every scuff. Semi-gloss is for trim only.
- •Buy premium paint: $50/gallon paint covers in 2 coats. $25/gallon paint needs 3-4. You save money with fewer coats and better durability.
- •Paint walls before installing molding: It's much faster without cutting around trim. If walls are already done, tape carefully.