No matter how much we love our homes, all of us have experienced the desire for an aesthetic refresh at some point. Sure, rearranging vignettes and buying new throw pillows, coffee table books, and bathroom linens is a good place to start, but sometimes these low-lift tweaks don’t quite scratch the itch.

Enter the power of paint. From a fresh coat on the walls to a splash of color on cabinetry and trim, there are endless easy and creative ways to refresh your home using paint. Unique paint applications not only make a home feel tailored and complete, they can give your space a brand-new look and feel in days — no need to overhaul your entire design style or spend thousands of dollars on new furniture.

Ahead, we invite you to think of your home as a blank canvas and paint these 11 unexpected surfaces, nooks, and architectural features for a fresh, personalized look.

1. Stair railings

When in doubt, paint your stair railing a high-contrast hue for a subtle yet impactful touch of color. As seen in the above entryway, the look feels dramatic and natural at the same time. Pro tip: go all-in on this impactful look by painting the stairs, trim, spindles, and door frame the same color! 

2. Architectural accents

While there’s a time and place for a crisp all-white room, we love a unique pop of color in equal measure. Here, Havenly designer Melissa Wagner tried her hand at the viral TikTok wall mural trend, giving her dated 90s fireplace an ultra-cool upgrade. The resulting look highlights her tall ceilings, angled wall, and focal fireplace.

3.Wainscoting & wall paneling

Painting your wainscoting a bold color and leaving the walls white (instead of the other way around) is an unexpected, low-lift way to experiment with paint. If you’re lucky enough to have beautiful wainscoting in your half or full bath, for example, highlight the texture with a coat of old-world blue. 

4. Fireplace mantel

There are countless ways you can refresh your fireplace using paint, from highlighting the entire surround to focusing solely on the mantel, as pictured above. Go for a high-contrast black-and-white palette to make a cool modern statement, and finish the look with tonal accents and greenery. So easy and so impactful! 

5. Cabinetry

From kitchens to bathrooms, painting your cabinetry serves as a major face lift with very little investment. You’ll quickly find that those outdated appliances, tired granite countertops, and stained backsplash don’t bother you nearly as much when they’re paired with freshly painted cabinets! Go with a clean white if your space feels overly busy or dated, or spruce things up with a classic blue for a cottagecore vibe. 

6. Interior doors

Painting your front door is a time-honored way to give your house an update, and the same can be said for interior or French doors. Add a hint of bold contrast to a white-walled space, like the above mud room, or opt for a splash of saturated green, blue, or yellow. Alternatively, if your door is wood, consider different wood stains for a rich, historical look. 

7. Accent wall

Skip the mess of installing wallpaper and get creative with a large-scale stencil and a gallon of paint. This look can feel organic and handmade, while completely transforming the look and feel of a space. Plus, it’s such a unique, interesting take on the classic accent wall. 

8. Shelving & built-ins

Painting open shelves or built-in cabinetry is a great way to inject some personality into your home. You can paint the entire unit one color, or highlight the back wall with a pop of color. Either way, it’s a powerful yet understated way to incorporate color into your home. 

9. Window grids

Steel, industrial-style windows are undeniably cool, and you can re-create the look in your own home with a can of black paint (and some patience). The bold accent color creates eye-catching contrast and lends a modern vibe to any home. 

10. Crown Moulding

Baseboards get a lot of attention when it comes to accent paint, but we urge you not to overlook your crown moulding. The dark navy moulding in the above dining room matches the wainscoting and adds a dramatic visual element that draws your eyes up. 

11. Stair Risers

Instead of painting your entire staircase, add a subtle pop of color by focusing on your stair risers only. This is a great choice if you have beautiful wood treads that you don’t want to paint over. We love the bold black in the above space, but feel free to experiment with bolder colors like green, blue, or brick red! 

Want expert advice on your actual home, straight from an interior designer? Start with our style quiz to work with a design pro one-on-one.