11 Small Paint Jobs That Can Transform Your Home

This article originally appeared on Angi and is syndicated by Cheapism.

There’s no denying the payoff of a good paint job, but they’re not always the easiest to pull off. If you have neither the time nor the patience to move furniture, tape off light switches, and do all the other tedious prep work, you might think you’re stuck with a blank slate.

This actually couldn’t be further from the case. Consider these 11 bold, colorful accent ideas to transform your space.

Painted archways are an easy way to create stunning depth and dimension in a space. They’re amazing for defining an office or reading nook (no actual nook required). They also work great for accenting furniture and decor pieces, as well as creating the illusion of a headboard in a bedroom. Enlist the help of a local interior designer if you need help with your plans.

Can’t find time to paint the entire bedroom? Focus your efforts on a much smaller space—the closet. Add a striking hue to highlight the space, or choose a calming color to create a more relaxed environment. Coordinate the colors with your sheets, pillows, curtains, artwork, or furniture.

You’d be amazed how one piece of brightly painted furniture can illuminate an otherwise dull room. Don’t have time to paint the entire dining room? Try painting the table or hutch. Living room looking a little monochrome? Paint the bookcase in a bold, eye-catching color. For extra oomph, pick up some matching throw pillows, curtains, or decor items.

OK, this might not be the smallest paint job out there, but it will totally transform your kitchen. If you’re sick of the outdated oak, painting your kitchen cabinets gives you the look of a renovation for a fraction of the cost. Go bold for a major statement, or go dark for a more modern look. If you’re not up for the DIY, a local cabinet painter can help bring your vision to life.

Color blocking involves overlapping geometric shapes for a bold, modern statement. These can be as big or as small as you like, so it’s a great way to use up leftover paint. If you need to test out some ideas, try sketching your design or cutting out different shapes from construction paper.

Here’s a quick painting tip: If you’re painting over a glossy or satin paint finish, lightly sand it first to help the new color stick.

On the hunt for a quick, easy painting idea to create a patterned accent wall? Look no further than a pineapple under the sea (or your kitchen sink—whichever is closer). Simply dip the edge of a sponge in your paint of choice and stamp in rows. The beauty here is that it doesn’t have to be perfect.

With some painter’s tape and a good eye, you can easily transform a blank wall into an Art Deco statement piece. Start with a basic frame shape to outline your canvas, then crisscross your tape to form a sunburst pattern before painting. It’s pretty isn’t it, old sport?

Don’t feel like painting an entire piece of furniture? You don’t have to. Transform a neutral shelf or bookcase by painting the interior with a bold color. Use this project to make an eye-catching statement in the room, or to create a harmonious accent to your existing wall color.

Why go for the whole accent wall when you can achieve the same impact with half the work, half the time, and half the paint? Just choose your cutoff point, lay down some painter’s tape, and create a look that will totally transform the room.

There are a ton of options out there for wall stencils, but we especially love the look of lush tropical palm and monstera leaves. These can transform a blah bathroom into a jungle oasis or highlight a tiger obsession in your child’s bedroom. Really, they’ll look beautiful anywhere—your jungle, your rules.

Painting an interior door is a relatively quick and simple project, but it can really have a dramatic effect. Consider a bright hue for a bold pop of color, or modernize the space by painting neutrals over woodgrain.