25 Awe-Inspiring Projects Using Just 1 Can of Paint
Whether you've got the dregs of your favourite colour left or it's a brand new tin, these fabulous low-cost projects are worth trying
When it comes to getting the most bang for your decorating buck, there is no question that paint reigns supreme. But if you really want to make the most of your purchase, try stretching that can of paint by using it for a number of smaller projects. Whether you are starting with a full tin or are wondering what to do with the last few drops, there is sure to be something here to inspire your next project. These 25 creative painting ideas include something for every room in the house.
2. Bedroom + a little paint = moulding accents
If you have just a smidge of paint left, try picking up some decorative mouldings at the hardware store to accent your wall instead. If your wall is already a colour, paint the mouldings white. If you have white walls, try grey mouldings for a chic look.
If you have just a smidge of paint left, try picking up some decorative mouldings at the hardware store to accent your wall instead. If your wall is already a colour, paint the mouldings white. If you have white walls, try grey mouldings for a chic look.
3. Bedroom + a little paint = chevron dresser
Give that old dresser a makeover with a carefully applied chevron pattern. If you prefer something simpler, try alternating thin and wide stripes, or just paint the drawer fronts.
Give that old dresser a makeover with a carefully applied chevron pattern. If you prefer something simpler, try alternating thin and wide stripes, or just paint the drawer fronts.
4. Bedroom + a little paint = new accessories
Unify a collection of mismatched trays, bowls and jewellery holders with a fresh coat of white paint. Metallic would be really pretty, too.
View more stylish bedrooms in our photo gallery
Unify a collection of mismatched trays, bowls and jewellery holders with a fresh coat of white paint. Metallic would be really pretty, too.
View more stylish bedrooms in our photo gallery
5. Living room + lots of paint = accent wall
A rich-hued accent wall can do wonders to enliven your space. Choose your wall wisely — the new colour will draw attention to this spot, so make it a place you want people to notice.
A rich-hued accent wall can do wonders to enliven your space. Choose your wall wisely — the new colour will draw attention to this spot, so make it a place you want people to notice.
6. Living room + a little paint = painted brick fireplace
For some reason, people hesitate painting over brick fireplaces. Sure, some historic homes have really beautiful original fireplaces that would be wise to leave alone — but if your brick fireplace has been bumming you out, nothing is stopping you. Get out your paint tin and hop to it!
How to Paint Your Brick Fireplace
For some reason, people hesitate painting over brick fireplaces. Sure, some historic homes have really beautiful original fireplaces that would be wise to leave alone — but if your brick fireplace has been bumming you out, nothing is stopping you. Get out your paint tin and hop to it!
How to Paint Your Brick Fireplace
7. Living room + a little paint = new life for an old mirror
An old mirror, or even the mirrored door of an old armoire, can be refurbished with a coat of colour on the frame. If you have some of your wall colour left, try lightening it with a bit of primer or white paint for a subtle tonal look.
Browse popular living room ideas
An old mirror, or even the mirrored door of an old armoire, can be refurbished with a coat of colour on the frame. If you have some of your wall colour left, try lightening it with a bit of primer or white paint for a subtle tonal look.
Browse popular living room ideas
8. Stairway + lots of paint = painted runner
Update a dark staircase by painting layers of light colours. Start with a white base, follow with the main runner colour and accent with a thin border stripe if you wish.
Update a dark staircase by painting layers of light colours. Start with a white base, follow with the main runner colour and accent with a thin border stripe if you wish.
9. Stairway + a little paint = number stencils
Short on paint? Leaving the stairs bare and use a basic number stencil set from a crafts shop to apply paint to each riser.
Short on paint? Leaving the stairs bare and use a basic number stencil set from a crafts shop to apply paint to each riser.
10. Kids’ room + lots of paint = blackboard wall
This now-classic look has remained popular for a reason: it’s fun! What kid doesn’t want to be able to draw on the walls?
This now-classic look has remained popular for a reason: it’s fun! What kid doesn’t want to be able to draw on the walls?
11. Kids’ room + a little paint = dramatic doorway
Try your hand at painting an ornate border around an open doorway. Make a template using a roll of paper and tape it to the wall to create an outline you can follow.
Try your hand at painting an ornate border around an open doorway. Make a template using a roll of paper and tape it to the wall to create an outline you can follow.
12. Kids’ room + a teensy bit of paint = spice rack book display
Scoop up a few inexpensive spice racks from IKEA for this super-easy project: simply paint the racks, allow them to dry, then attach them to the wall.
Discover more kids’ room ideas
Scoop up a few inexpensive spice racks from IKEA for this super-easy project: simply paint the racks, allow them to dry, then attach them to the wall.
Discover more kids’ room ideas
13. Kitchen + lots of paint = patterned accent wall
Try your own take on a Union Jack motif, in whatever colours strike your fancy … or whatever colours happen to be lying around in your storage cupboard.
Try your own take on a Union Jack motif, in whatever colours strike your fancy … or whatever colours happen to be lying around in your storage cupboard.
14. Kitchen + a little paint = blackboard fridge
If you have a bit of blackboard paint left over from another project, I love the idea of using it to cover a boring fridge for an instant message board.
If you have a bit of blackboard paint left over from another project, I love the idea of using it to cover a boring fridge for an instant message board.
15. Kitchen + a teensy bit of paint = stencilled wall art
Make a statement with a single oversize number or letter, carefully stencilled, or paint a plywood cutout before screwing to the wall.
Browse popular kitchen designs
Make a statement with a single oversize number or letter, carefully stencilled, or paint a plywood cutout before screwing to the wall.
Browse popular kitchen designs
16. Craft room + lots of paint = whitewashed floors
White floors may not seem like the most practical choice for a craft room, but they feel fresh and creative, and are surprisingly useful — just try finding that stray bead on a dark floor.
White floors may not seem like the most practical choice for a craft room, but they feel fresh and creative, and are surprisingly useful — just try finding that stray bead on a dark floor.
17. Craft room + lots of paint = painted pegboard
Organise the tools of your trade and hang art in a creative display with a simple pegboard from the hardware store. Match your walls or contrast them; the choice is yours.
Organise the tools of your trade and hang art in a creative display with a simple pegboard from the hardware store. Match your walls or contrast them; the choice is yours.
18. Craft room + a little paint = embellished crates
Basic wooden crates are transformed into a creative storage and display area with a fun new hue. For added pop, line the backs with wallpaper scraps or pretty wrapping paper.
Basic wooden crates are transformed into a creative storage and display area with a fun new hue. For added pop, line the backs with wallpaper scraps or pretty wrapping paper.
19. Bathroom + lots of paint = chic wide stripes
Continue a wide stripe from the interior of the bathroom right on to the back of the door for an unexpected twist.
Continue a wide stripe from the interior of the bathroom right on to the back of the door for an unexpected twist.
20. Bathroom + a little paint = bathtub makeover
Give the exterior of your claw-foot bathtub a lick of colour — dark grey, black or bitter chocolate will look chic and sophisticated. Try red, pink or vibrant blue for a more daring look.
Give the exterior of your claw-foot bathtub a lick of colour — dark grey, black or bitter chocolate will look chic and sophisticated. Try red, pink or vibrant blue for a more daring look.
21. Bathroom + a teensy bit of paint = tin can containers
Turn old tin cans into useful vessels for everything from plants to makeup brushes with a touch of colourful paint.
View more beautiful bathrooms
Turn old tin cans into useful vessels for everything from plants to makeup brushes with a touch of colourful paint.
View more beautiful bathrooms
22. Dining room + lots of paint = patterned floor
Whether you go for a classic chequerboard or modern stencils, painting a pattern on to the dining room floor means you can forgo the rug. Paint the background first, or let the natural wood peek through, as shown here.
Whether you go for a classic chequerboard or modern stencils, painting a pattern on to the dining room floor means you can forgo the rug. Paint the background first, or let the natural wood peek through, as shown here.
23. Dining room + a little paint = updated buffet
Paint just the fronts of the drawers and cabinets for a two-tone look. Alternatively, if you have a glass-front cabinet in the dining room, try painting just the inside of the cabinets for a subtle change.
Paint just the fronts of the drawers and cabinets for a two-tone look. Alternatively, if you have a glass-front cabinet in the dining room, try painting just the inside of the cabinets for a subtle change.
24. Home office + lots of paint = gallery wall
Ground an art wall above your desk with a deep dark hue. Once the colour has been applied, try out your arrangement of objects on the floor before hanging it to be sure it works.
Ground an art wall above your desk with a deep dark hue. Once the colour has been applied, try out your arrangement of objects on the floor before hanging it to be sure it works.
25. Home office + a little paint = DIY wall art
Think you can’t make art? All you need for this project is a plain stretched canvas from your local art supply store, painter’s tape (to mark out the chevron pattern) and paint.
More: How to Paint Stripes Right
Has this Ideabook inspired you? Share your latest painting project with us in the Comments section; we’d love to see a photo or two.
Think you can’t make art? All you need for this project is a plain stretched canvas from your local art supply store, painter’s tape (to mark out the chevron pattern) and paint.
More: How to Paint Stripes Right
Has this Ideabook inspired you? Share your latest painting project with us in the Comments section; we’d love to see a photo or two.
If you have a colour plus a can of white paint (and lots of patience), this project is for you. Take your time plotting out the pattern with painter’s tape (I recommend starting the weekend before). For the best results, paint one colour and let it dry before applying the second.