Using Paint To Transform A Room

The Dramatic Effect of Paint

You’ve heard it before, paint is a cheap transformation. I know a can of paint doesn’t feel cheap, but for the transformation and dramatic effect of paint on a room, it’s a cheap alternative to a complete room makeover. This bathroom is a good example of how paint can transform a room on its own.

If you’re new here, welcome! I am Sara-Lynn, the Inspired Decorator. I am transforming my main floor bathroom for the One Room Challenge. The last time I participated, I did a complete bathroom gut in 6 weeks. This time around I am going for a room transformation instead.

Dramatic Effect of Paint

I want to show you how dramatic of a change something as simple as paint can be in a small room. This bathroom is only 5′ x 7′. It’s compact and very functional. Because of its small size, any changes are amplified. Since it’s the main bathroom that any guests use, I wanted to add some character to the room. I’m working on matching it to the design style in the rest of the house, which is Rustic Glam.4

Here is the before photo of where I started at:

Bathroom Progress

I’m adding a wainscoting accent wall on the empty wall for visual interest. Most of the transformation though is coming from the dramatic change in paint colour. But I built the wainscoting wall before the new paint was applied.

I took down the wall-mount light fixture so I wouldn’t have to paint around it. But that also meant I had to find another source of light while painting the windowless bathroom. My decorative lamp from the living room did the trick! The lighting wasn’t optimal but I trusted in my painting skills to have good end results. I won’t say the extra challenge was fun though, moving the lamp around as I worked was a pain. But here it the lamp in action.

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The bathroom went from this chocolate brown to white, which is very unlike me. I love using colour throughout my home. In my ORC project reveal I explained that my husband and I once swore we would never paint our walls white after living in a white apartment for years. But I was feeling that the brown was too dark for how light the rest of the house felt. It wasn’t fitting the new home vibes. And my inspiration pins were all leaning towards a light, serene bathroom. Painted white.

Here is how the bathroom looks in the new paint color:

The main paint color is called White Dove by Benjamin Moore. The wainscoting will be painted Revere Pewter, also by Benjamin Moore. I love the quality of their paint.

You can not tell me this isn’t a dramatic change! And it all came down to the paint! It truly is amazing how a can of paint can transform a room.

Painting Ideas

If you are inspired by this change and looking for ideas to try in your own home to get a dramatic effect using only paint, here are some suggestions

• Paint A Bold Accent Wall– Some people love accent walls, and others think they are dated. It’s a personal preference, but I love them as a way to add color and pattern without the commitment. Compared to the cost of furniture in a bold color or pattern, paint is cheap.
• Hand-Painted Mural– I love and greatly admire this sharpie wall hand-drawn by Lacy Hosradt. If you have any art skills, or know someone who does, why not really personalize your home? My fellow ORC guest participant, Sarah from My West Coast Life, is doing this in her laundry room!
• Paint Your Furniture– If doing a full wall or room in a new color seems daunting, try painting a piece of furniture instead. Whether you’re comfortable doing a dresser or sticking to a coffee table, a newly colored piece of furniture will also change the look of your room.
• Paint Your Ceiling– The ceiling is considered the forgotten fifth wall. It has so much potential for being a statement piece! Check out this painted ceiling that Kelly Roberts Bryant of Street Flea Style did for one of her past ORC projects.

Final Thoughts

It did take 3 coats of white paint to fully cover the chocolate brown. I seriously thought I made a grave mistake in paint choice after the first coat was on. It looked like I tried to paint with whiteout. It was shadowy, streaky, and looked terrible! I am glad that I pushed through and did the other 2 coats though because that’s when the transformation really took place.

What do you think of this change? Are you for it or do you hate it? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Check out my other posts for this bathroom project: Week 1– Week 2– Week 3– Week 4- Week 6– Week 7– Week 8

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