Paint Can Update Unexpected Surfaces

While an entire home renovation is not always feasible, there are ways to dramatically makeover the home using paint. By highlighting the focal points of a room, like the flooring, a staircase, or a fireplace with carefully curated colour choices, these surfaces become style showstoppers in the home. Sharon Grech, a colour and design expert at Benjamin Moore, explains how to paint unexpected surfaces for maximum appeal:

Paint the Fireplace: A warm, glowing fireplace sets the mood as the weather starts to chill. To update the look of an outdated fireplace, all it takes is some paint, good quality tools and some elbow grease.Choosing a dramatic Benjamin Moore colour like Million Dollar Red allows the fireplace to take centre stage in a room, while a softer tone like Distant Gray gives a classic, harmonious look.

Step onto Style: A technique that’s trending among designers as a quick way to revitalize a space is through painting the flooring. Painted floors can hide a multitude of sins, like faded hardwood, cracks and chips and outdated tiles. Grech recommends using her favourite product, Benjamin Moore Porch & Floor paint, a versatile formula that applies easily with excellent durability. As with most painting jobs, the floor must be completely sanded, cleaned to remove all dust and debris, and in some cases primed before the paintbrush can touch the floor.

Paint over Panels: Wood paneling on the walls can make your home look like it is stuck in the 1970s. Rather than spending time and money to strip the panels, modernize them by painting them with a fresh coat of paint. The texture of the wood will still come through, which adds complexity and visual interest to the space.

A Stairway with Pizzazz: What better way to make a bold impact than with a beautifully painted staircase? Add a stencil pattern to a traditional white riser for a touch of whimsy or even paint each riser a different colour to really stretch your creative muscle. Often a major focal point in the home, painting the staircase adds a wow-factor in both traditional and contemporary settings.A designer trick for a sleek modern look is to paint the entire staircase, including the handrail one solid colour.

Visit www.BenjaminMoore.ca for more tips to update unexpected surfaces in your home with paint.

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