Painting Ideas & Inspiration

Explore inspiring painting ideas that will drastically make your home more efficient & appealing.

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Two-Tone Kitchen Pantry Design

A design-build duo gives their pantry a simple yet striking two-tone paint treatment.
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Mauro’s Take on Color Choice

Paint expert Mauro Henrique explains how to choose colors, what homeowners should look for, and even his favorite color for almost anything.
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Best Bold Paint Colors for Your Home

Learn how to apply bold paint colors in your home from designers.
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Easy Guide to Paint Finishes

Trying to choose a paint finish? Read this guide to learn how to pick the right sheen to make your next interior paint project pop.
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7 Ideas for Color-Blocking Walls with Paint

Get inspiration and instruction for this easy yet impressive paint technique to add interest to your interiors.
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Creating Moods with Paint Colors

Here’s how designers think about choosing and using the right shade of paint to achieve the perfect look (or mood).
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How to Choose Colorful Finishes for Your Home

Unsure how to choose colorful finishes for your home? Design pro and Clare founder Nicole Gibbons is here to help.
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A Guide to Eco-Friendly Paints

Are you looking for a safer alternative to traditional interior paints? Read this guide to learn how to choose the right type of products for painting projects that will yield great results with a less negative impact on the planet and your family’s health. Here’s what you need to know about buying non-toxic paint safe for you and the environment.
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The 5 Best Painter’s Tapes (2024 Review)

Painter’s tape helps you stay in the lines while you’re painting your home’s walls. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best painter’s tapes on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
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10 Stunning Bathroom Paint Colors

Learn what to consider when painting a bathroom and how to choose the right color.
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Paint it: Take a shine to the ceiling

Luscious color overhead in a light-reflecting finish can give your entry—and spirits—a lift.
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Celebrating Craftsmanship: The Principles of Painting

Ask This Old House painting expert, Mauro Henrique sits down to talk about how he got into painting and what he loves about it.
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17 Beautiful Painted Furniture Ideas

From subtle to bold to instant "vintage," for pieces big and small, there’s a paint project here to perk things up all over the house.
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Polyurethane vs. Polycrylic: Which Should You Use?

As tough as wood is, once it’s converted to some house part—a chair, a door sill, a cabinet, a floorboard—it needs to be protected against the elements and general wear and tear. When it comes to wood finish, which should you use? Read this guide to learn more about the differences between polyurethane and polycrylic.
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Historical Paint Colors Making a Comeback

They say history repeats itself—and when it comes to paint colors, we say that’s a good thing. Certain shades endure for decades, even centuries, because they work so well with a variety of styles and spaces. Rooted in tradition, historical colors still look fresh in a wide range of settings.
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What is Varnish?

If you’re working on a project that involves wooden furniture or paneling, you’ll likely find yourself facing an important decision at the end: varnish or polyurethane for the finish? There’s a lot of confusion over the difference between these two popular wood sealants, and it’s important to know what sets them apart so you can choose the right topcoat for your project.
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Read This Before You Pick a Paint Color

Whether you’re looking for a soothing hue for your living space or want some drama in your dining room, don’t pick up a paintbrush until you’ve read our expert advice
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All About Milk Paint

You wouldn’t whip up a batch of pancakes without reaching for a container of milk, but you might not think to hit the fridge for that ingredient when it comes to your next paint project. Perhaps it’s time to think again, due to the rising popularity of milk paint. Read this guide to learn about milk paint and the types of projects it’s ideal for.
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Trend Meets Tradition | 2020 Idea House: The Cottage on the Cape

Here’s how a selection of historically inspired colors became the palette for our coastal-chic Idea House.
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Update a Mudroom Door with Bold Paint

Portals become all the more transportive in eye-catching color—especially when it’s expertly applied.
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How the Right Primer and Paint Combo Can Transform Kitchen Cabinets 

Few projects can transform a kitchen as easily and economically as painting the cabinetry. Here’s how the right combination of primer and paint will help you get a look you’ll love.
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How to Paint a Mandala on a Deck

Mandala designs have increasingly been on the rise in the Western world for a few years now. They’re everywhere: on apparel, linens, in adult coloring books, and are especially popular as tattoo designs
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Wall Colors to Help You Sleep Better

Need a better night’s sleep? Consider painting your bedroom walls one of these colors that help promote better slumber.
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Choose the Right Type of Paint for Your Bathroom

Bathrooms are constantly exposed to water and humidity, so selecting a moisture-resistant paint is crucial.
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How to Paint a Popcorn Ceiling

Follow these steps when painting your popcorn ceiling.
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Paint Random-Width Stripes

An outdoor room’s beadboard walls become extra eye-catching when painted with random-width stripes
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Prep for Success: Tips for a Pro-Level Paint Finish

You’ve heard the saying before: Fail to prepare—prepare to fail. But whether it’s because prep work is viewed as an unnecessary expense or it just boils down to impatience, many home improvers fail to properly prepare their surfaces before applying paint. We sat down with TOH painting pro Nick Slavik to find out how important it is to take the time to prep and prime.
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Safer Ways to Strip Paint

Two nasty chemicals are gradually leaving store shelves. Here, a look at less hazardous ways to get rid of old paint
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How to Choose an Accent Wall

A pro painter's take on the design staple
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Paint a Colorful Door Accent

Painted in complementary hues, a staid bedroom door becomes a standout piece of decor
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Home Decor Upgrades Inspired by Patriots Team Colors

You don't have to plaster the place with Fatheads to show your team spirit. Incorporate team colors to your home decor with style
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Painter’s Tape Alternative

Now you can mask off any surface!
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Charleston-Elliotborough House Exterior Paint Colors

We remodeled two houses during our Charleston 2018 TV season. Many fans asked for the exact colors of the Elliotborough exterior, and here they are