Update Your Decor With Easy Paint Projects

Wary of painting all four walls? For high impact, highlight one detail with color.

Paint Furniture

Tips and tricks: Don't be afraid to go with a potent color, especially if the walls and the trim are neutral. Before painting, prep furniture with a flexible-foam sanding sponge, which can "get around curves, legs, and grooves," says Cathie Filian, a host of the DIY Network's Creative Juice. If the piece has a wax finish, remove it with denatured alcohol first.

Best paint for the job: "High-gloss paint will turn a piece into a strong focal point," says Edward Schaefer, a decorative painter in North Bergen, New Jersey, while "semigloss will freshen it up without emphasizing flaws."