We simply can’t understate the power of a fresh coat of paint. It’s basically the textbook definition of low-lift, high-impact design — you can completely transform a space with just $200 or so (including the cost of brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and the like).

Nothing illustrates the jaw-dropping, borderline cathartic magic of paint better than a good before-and-after. Sure, new furniture and decor certainly play a role, but a new paint color can truly change the overall atmosphere and aesthetic of a home. Paint is that crucial first step in setting a mood. Want dramatic and cozy? Lean black, evergreen, or navy. Light and ethereal? True white or a soft blue. Vintage and cottage-esque? Creamy whites or a trending mushroom. There’s a paint color for every vibe by design.

If you’re considering a new paint project, you’ve come to the right place. Let the below before-and-afters from real life clients get your creative juices flowing. Just imagine the paint possibilities:

1. From Generic to Glam

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After

Armed with a can of Benjamin Moore’s Black Satin and a glam design plan, Havenly designer Marie Lacote transformed this builder-grade dining room into a restaurant-worthy lounge. While the modern chandelier, royal blue and gold dining chairs, and gorgeous patterned rug certainly don’t hurt, the slate black backdrop truly makes all the moody luxe difference.

2. From Blah to Bright

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After

A crisp coat of clean, white paint (Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, to be specific) made all the impact in Havenly designer Autumn Williams’ historic Denver home. Coupled with an ornate fireplace surround, flanking built-ins, sculptural lighting, and sharp black accents, the 19th-century space strikes the perfect balance between modern and traditional, in true Parisian-inspired style.

3. From Demo to Dramatic

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After

When reimagining this gut-renovated dining nook, Havenly designer Alexis King-Audelo opted for a modern tulip dining table, black vintage-style bentwood chairs, and textural details like jute and shearling. But we’d argue that the gorgeous Newburyport Blue statement wall seamlessly ties the space together and serves up the “wow” moment it deserves.

4. From Bland to Beachy

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After

To accentuate the tall ceilings, wood paneling, and beautiful pointed arch, our VP of creative and design Shelby Girard went with a beachy blue statement wall in this gorgeous living space for Blair Eadie (of fashionista Atlantic Pacific fame). Coupled with swanky mustard velvet accent chairs, a Noguchi-style pendant light, and colorful artwork, the coat of Benjamin Moore’s Turquoise Powder lends personality and soul to the formerly nondescript space.

5. From Dingy to Airy

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After

Using a time-honored favorite — Benjamin Moore’s Simply White — Shelby, Havenly VP of design, gave her sunroom a bright and airy facelift. Complete with a mixed material outdoor sectional, jute rug, travertine nesting tables, and a woven statement light, the finished space is textured, warm minimalist perfection (just peek inside the rest of her gorgeous home).

6. From Farmhouse to Modern

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After

With a few furniture swaps, a rug upgrade, and a coat of Teal by Benjamin Moore, Shelby managed to change the entire look and feel of this open-concept living space. While the “before” photo leans farmhouse, the “after” look incorporates a modern edge that makes the space sing. We especially love how the moody paint color makes the beautiful architecture and ornate moulding pop.

7. From Dated to Fresh

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After

If you want to upgrade your kitchen while side-stepping a full-on reno, look no further than (you guessed it) paint. Here, Havenly design editor Heather Goerzen went with a coat of Benjamin Moore’s Thousand Oceans on her raw oak cabinetry and a basic white epoxy on the backsplash tile, and the finished space is nearly unrecognizable (all for under $300!)

8. From Basic to Bold

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After

While searching for a statement wallpaper for this bedroom makeover, Havenly designer Marie Lacote landed on an expected (and affordable) solution: wall stencils. Applied in graphic white and black paint, the finished look ties the part glam, part mid-century space together in a unique, aesthetically-pleasing way.

9. From Monochrome to High-Def

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After

When making over his 1884 Denver home, lead designer Brady Burke took a risk with navy blue trim paint — and it certainly paid off. The unique Hale Navy treatment accentuates the beautiful historic moulding and high ceilings in the best possible way, while lending a high-contrast, modern flair to the old home.

Selecting the perfect paint color can be a headache, to say the least. Leave it to our designers instead — check out our design packages for expert, personalized recommendations from paint to pillows and everything in between.