Home painting ideas: 8 quick paint jobs you can do in less than a weekend

If you're looking for quick but beautiful updates to your home, we have all the home painting ideas you need

Home painting ideas: Habitat sideboard
(Image credit: Habitat)

There are so many quick and easy home painting ideas you can tackle in a weekend or even in a few hours. So whether you have some spare paint sample pots lying around just waiting to be used up, or if you're in need of some inspiration to start a mini room transformation, we're here to tell you that there are many different ways that you can use a lick of paint to transform a space. From sprucing up tiles to revamping your kitchen or the bathroom floor, no space will be left unattended to when you've seem what you can do with a little paint!

For more paint ideas and inspiration be sure to check out our paint hub.

1. Upgrade tired looking tiles

painted patterned floor tiles by etsy

(Image credit: Etsy)

Outdated tiles can be a major drawback in a kitchen or bathroom and while replacing them with something more contemporary is the most obvious option, painting your tiles can achieve a similar effect. 

It's a big trend on Pinterest, and we love the easy painting idea of using tile stencils to transform the look and feel of a tired looking space. This Modern Geometric Tile Stencil from Etsy is one of our favourite examples.

Like this idea? Our guide to how to paint tiles will talk you through the process, step-by-step.

2. Paint floorboards for a fresh new floor

Green bathroom in traditional Georgian home

Painted in Electric Green by Dulux to match the antique mirror, this bathtub from UK Bathroom Warehouse stands out in style. The same paint was used for the chequerboard floor. The blind fabric is Zagazoo by Osborne & Little

If you'd LOVE expensive looking floor tiles but are having to make do with pine floorboards, if you're looking for a quick, practical update for a room you don't want to spend lots of money on, or if you just want to create a unique look for a room, painting floorboards is a fantastic option. Easy to do, it's affordable, too. Find out how to paint floorboards in our guide.

3. Paint the underside of a roll top bath

Find out how to paint a roll top bath for the best results.

(Image credit: CICO Books and Christopher Blake)

Still in the bathroom here, modern paints can cope with all sorts of surfaces, and while it's likely that painting a cast iron bath will make for a more durable finish, it's possible to paint even acrylic now. Find the best paint for bathrooms in our guide.

4. Use gold paint to make plain pieces glamorous

How to guild a mirror

(Image credit: Annie Sloan)

Gilding furniture – or adding gilded details to plain pieces – is a quick job that can make a big impact for little spend. We love this upcycled mirror. Find out how to create vintage paint effects, including this one, with the help of our step by step guide.

5. Paint kitchen cabinets

blue shaker kitchen

(Image credit: Douglas Gibb)

If you can paint furniture, you can paint kitchen cabinets – it's a brilliant way to refresh a tired looking kitchen cheaply and quickly. And while it isn't the simplest of easy painting ideas, it's not beyond the reach of even beginners to DIY. For best results, you'll need to remove the doors and paint them on a flat surface, such as a dining table or floor. Use our guide to how to paint kitchen cabinets to find out how and choose the best kitchen cabinet paint from our buyer's guide.

6. Go abstract with stencils 

Green stencilled table, an easy paint idea, by Annie Sloan

(Image credit: Annie Sloan)

With a load of different patterns and designs available, stencils are one of those easy painting tools that can help add heaps of interest to furniture, walls, and even the floor. Plus, they are super cheap and you usually don't need too much paint if you're looking for a budget friendly update. Check out this quick table transformation above by Annie Sloan. For the best furniture paints, see our buyer's guide. Find out more about painting floorboards in our guide. 

This hallway floor makeover was quickly created with stencils to give the effect of tiles. Nifty! Check out more hallway paint ideas for tons of inspiring schemes and inspiration. Pssst, if you're going to be painting hallway walls, you'll need our pick of the best washable paints, too.

7. Paint a sideboard

Upcycled sideboard

(Image credit: Rust-Oleum)

Whether yours is sitting in a hallway, dining room or other area of your home, give it a makeover with a spot of paint and it will no longer just sink into the background as you pass it by! We love the matte grey below which works perfectly with the dusty pink chair colour and other elements in the surroundings.

Like the look of this upcycled, painted sideboard? Follow our step by step guide to find out how to paint wooden furniture to achieve this look.

8. Add bold detail to key furniture pieces

If you're looking for easy way to add a little drama to your room, using a tester pot alone, why not just add a splash of colour by painting sections of your furniture. We love what @grillodesigns has done with this basic TV console. So simple but super effective. 

Looking for more painting ideas? 

Hebe Hatton

Hebe joined the Real Homes team in early 2018 as Staff Writer before moving to the Livingetc team in 2021 where she took on a role as Digital Editor. She loves boho and 70's style and is a big fan of Instagram as a source of interiors inspiration. When she isn't writing about interiors, she is renovating her own spaces – be it wallpapering a hallway, painting kitchen cupboards or converting a van.

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