7 ways to update your home with paint

Wood panelling

A detail that can look a little dated, wood panelling can easily go from dark and retro to bright and chic with a coat of your favourite colour. Who: Sharon Grech, designer and Benjamin Moore spokesperson, Benjamin Moore. What to use: A bonding primer and a high-quality Benjamin Moore paint like Aura. How to use it: Panelling typically has a sheen that needs to be scuffed to prepare it for paint, so use a pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper followed by a good cleaning. Apply one coat of primer followed by a coat of paint in the colour of your choice.

Brick fireplace

Neutral palettesare trending this year, and texture is becoming all the more important. Brick provides visual interest in its rough surface, but if you dislike its bold, burnt colour, paint the brick to match your palette and let its texture make the statement. Who: Nancy Bollefer, Canadian Marketing Manager, Behr at The Home Depot. What to use: Behr Premium Concrete & Masonry Degreaser & Cleaner No. 990, Behr Premium Plus Interior Stain-Blocking Primer & Sealer No. 75, Behr Self-Priming Interior Satin Enamel. How to use it: Clean the brick substrate thoroughly by vacuuming up any dust or loose matter and applying diluted degreaser. Prime the surface with a loaded roller before painting. Use a paintbrush to fill in mortar spots that the roller missed.

Vintage metal furniture

The shabby-chic vintage look is still hot, and so too is the push toward upcycling old furniture and flea-market findsto stay on trend. All it takes is a simple can of spray paint to take a piece from unappealing to statement-making. Who: Tracey Amadio, International Sales Manager, Valspar at Lowe’s. What to use: Valspar Premium Spray Paint – it provides a durable anti-rust coating to protect metal from corrosion, if you plan to use it outside. How to use it: Remove dirt and grease, and scuff glossy surfaces by lightly sanding prior to painting. Apply two light coats rather than one heavy one. Choose a satin or flat sheen to hide dents and surface imperfections.

Front door

To help your home make its best first impression, the front doorshould set the stage for the style that unfolds inside. If your door is, for example, weathered while your home is sleek and modern on the inside, it’s due for an update. Who: Sarah Cole, Marketing Director, Farrow & Ball. What to use: Farrow & Ball Exterior Wood Primer & Undercoat, Farrow & Ball Exterior Eggshell or Full Gloss. How to use it: Remove the hardware and fill and sand any of the door’s imperfections before you start. Apply paint early in the day to allow enough drying time before any evening condensation arrives. Trend watch: Coordinate your home’s exterior palette with the interior by painting your front door just a few shades darker than your front entryway.

Hardwood floors

Overhauling your hardwood floorswith a fresh new colour makes a huge impact in any room, giving it a whole new look. Who: Alison Goldman, Brand Manager, CIL Paints, cil.ca. What to use: CIL Dimensions Interior/Exterior 100% Acrylic Porch & Floor. The higher the sheen, the more durable the finish, so semigloss is a great choice. How to use it: Remove any loose paint with a wire brush or scraper and remove gloss with a deglosser or sander. Clean well and apply paint, but remember: Don’t paint yourself into a corner (literally). Whatever you do, make sure you work toward an exit.

Ceramic tiles

If you want to renovate the bathroom, but retiling the wall isn’t in the budget, just paint over the tile! It’s the perfect solution for updating a tired tile colour on a tiny budget. Note: This project isn’t recommended for floors or surfaces that will come in contact with food. Who: Andrew Fedele, Technical Services Manager, Para Paints. What to use: General Paint X-Terminator 260-200, Para Ultra Melamine Latex 4300. How to use it: Ceramic is not porous at all, so sand the surface with 120- to 150-grit paper and clean before applying primer, then add two thin coats of paint. Wait 12 to 24 hours between coats and use a high-density foam roller.

Pressure-treated deck

Refinishing a deckseems like a daunting task, as it usually involves extensive prep work, covering a large expanse and doing it all while exposed to the elements. But the after-effect – a porch that looks as good as new – is well worth the effort if you know what to do. Who: Bev Bell, Creative Director, Beauti-Tone Paint. What to use: A solid acrylic stain that requires no primer and has a high tolerance for moisture from the elements. How to use it: Sand and wash your deck well to rid it of any dead cellulose or mill glaze. Start with the railings and work your way down to the deck surface so you can deal with any drips. Use a deck-pad applicator with an extension pole to get the job done quickly and easily.