With our current public health situation keeping many stuck indoors, lots of folks are finding themselves strapped for activities and things to do. There are only so many jigsaw puzzles you can complete before you start to feel a little crazy!
One way to pass the time is to take up various small DIY paint projects around the house. This can keep you busy during your “down” time and change up your environment simply by adding some new interior paint colors to the favorite spaces!
Even as a professional color expert, I’m always amazed at how much some simple color adjustments and DIY wall painting ideas can completely change the look and feel of a room.
Here are three simple DIY paint project ideas to get you started.
#1: Accent Wall
If you want to add a pop of color or switch up the look of a room without having to paint the entire thing, an accent wall could be just the right thing for you.
Accent walls can add depth, brightness and some much needed variety to any room in the house. Accent walls look especially great in areas surrounded by neutral colors like white, grey, taupe, beige and others. 
Accent walls are a great way to both get creative and to highlight key features of the room. For example, if you’re painting a wall in the living room, perhaps you want to match the accent wall color to a detail in your curtains or to go along with the color of your sofa.
This idea extends to picking the wall you want to paint. Maybe one wall is covered with windows so you could choose the relatively blank wall next to it instead. Or, if you have a wall with interesting features (perhaps it has a gorgeous mantle, nice shelves or a fireplace), you could choose to paint that wall to draw even more attention to those features.
#2: Create a Chalkboard Wall for the Family
Speaking of special and fun walls, one of my favorite DIY wall painting ideas is to create a chalkboard wall. Perfect for communal spaces like the kitchen or for a playroom or kids room design, chalkboard paint can create a wall that will be a fun project for the entire family.
What kid doesn’t want to draw on the walls of their house? Chalkboard paint makes that possible (without the parental headache caused by a toddler using a crayon or marker on the walls of the hallway).
This activity is fun for the entire family to help with and it will continue to provide fun in the future. You can use the wall for your kids to draw on, to draw up a family schedule, a grocery list or anything else you can come up with!
Curious to see how I implement accent walls in home interiors?
See examples of my work here.
#3: Furniture Makeover
Walls aren’t the only DIY paint project you can do to keep busy. If you aren’t ready for the commitment of painting the walls of your home, why not spice up some furniture you have?
Desks, chairs, coffee tables, dressers, bookcases… the list goes on! I’m sure there are plenty of pieces throughout your home that could use some touch-ups or even complete makeovers! Like with accent walls, adding pops of color to furniture can brighten up the room it’s in, without having to go “all in” with painting the walls.
Here are a few key tips to doing a furniture painting project right.
First of all, if you will be painting a piece of furniture, it is necessary to cover anything NOT being painted, and don’t cut corners. Cover everything you can see in the room! Even if you’re painting something small, expect that drops of paint will get everywhere… even feet away from where you’re working.
I would also recommend disassembling the furniture you’re painting if you can. This will help you get the new paint into every crack and crevice so no part is missed or overlooked. This also makes it easier, especially if you’re working with bulky or heavy furniture.
I also suggest using the right finish when you are choosing your paint. When you are painting walls the paint is usually not a shiny finish, whereas furniture requires the same kind of paint as a piece of woodwork or trim. Be careful to choose the right color, and the right kind of finish before you get started!
What DIY Paint Projects Are You Doing?
There you have it: three simple DIY paint projects that you can get started on today!
I’m always ready for a new project. I’d love to hear what you’re doing to keep busy during this time and I’d also love to see what you come up with if you take on one of these projects!
Contact me here or leave a comment down below.
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Love the idea of a chalkboard wall for families these days. Especially now!
Yes now is the best time to add features like chalk board walls, they can be a fun place to spend lots and lots of time!
Great ideas. Love the idea of the chalkboard wall. We are currently remodeling our basement and that would be great addition.
I recently did a basement renovation for a couple and we boxed in the columns and thats where we put the chalk board paint on the columns, the kids absolutely loved it! I hope you share photos of your remodel!
I know of several people who have done some painting since #stayathome began. These are great ideas. People will be sure to get inspired!
Thanks Julie, these are the times we long for when we can take on projects we rarely have the time for!
Great ideas for paint! chalkboard walls are a fun addition right now. And I’m currently getting ready to try repainting some furniture for the ORC!
I am glad you’re inspired to paint your furniture, I hope you share photos of it with the rest of us!
Makes me wish i still liked doing DIY projects. Great ideas!
I love your response Christina, I love the ideas but I rarely have the time to do them myself these days.
Great ideas! I love the idea of creative painting of furniture that could use a facelift as well as the chalkboard walls for kids.
Thanks Mary Ann, they are both creative ideas that can make a real difference in a room!
As many mentioned above, a chalk wall is a brilliant idea.
Thanks Sheri, it can be a great place to have fun or take notes, depending on what your needs are!
Hi Amy ~ I , too, love the idea for the chalkboard wall, but also love whiteboard walls. Did you know you can buy whiteboard paint and turn any wall into a whiteboard surface? You can buy it from IDEA PAINT, and it’s a great idea for any room or home office where you prefer white vs. the color of chalkboard. It’s also easier on the ears!
Yes I have recommended white boards too, it’s a great idea. I love that we can use paint to accomplish so much these days, it can be decorative and can serve a purpose as well! Thanks for the input, great addition to this post!