Painting How To & DIY
Improve the value of your home by discovering our painting step-by-step tips & ideas.
How to Paint Your Front Door | This Old House: Live
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique demonstrates how to paint a front door with oil-based, high gloss paint. This is part of This Old House: Live—an initiative providing daily programming and opportunities to connect with our experts during these challenging times.
Tips for Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets
Refinishing cabinets is an inexpensive way to give your kitchen a major makeover. We asked Nick Slavik, proprietor of Nick Slavik Painting & Restoration Company and frequent This Old House contributor, to take us through his best practices for kitchen cabinet refinishing, from prep to paint, so you can get a picture-perfect, professional finish too.
How to Paint a Vinyl Garage Door | This Old House: Live
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique demonstrates how to paint a vinyl garage door using his own door as part of This Old House: Live—an initiative providing daily programming and opportunities to connect with our experts during these challenging times.
How to Paint Old Varnished Wood Trim
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique teaches a homeowner some techniques to paint old 1960s wood trim with a varnish on it.
6 Common Paint Problems & How to Fix Them
Learn what causes the peskiest paint problems—and how to fix and avoid them in the future.
How to Strip Paint Off Old Hardware
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique demonstrates how to strip paint off of old door hardware.
How to Paint Vinyl Shutters
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique helps a homeowner properly clean and paint her vinyl shutters
How to Paint a Popcorn Ceiling
Follow these steps when painting your popcorn ceiling.
How to Re-Stain a Deck
In this edition of DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique teaches a homeowner how to re-stain her mahogany deck.
How to Use a Paint Sprayer
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique gives a tutorial on how to set up and work with a paint sprayer
How to Flatten a Textured Ceiling
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique smooths over a textured ceiling using joint compound
Safer Ways to Strip Paint
Two nasty chemicals are gradually leaving store shelves. Here, a look at less hazardous ways to get rid of old paint
How to Choose an Accent Wall
A pro painter's take on the design staple
How to Repaint a Rusty Metal Hand Rail
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique helps a homeowner clean up and repaint a rusty metal railing.
Paint a Colorful Door Accent
Painted in complementary hues, a staid bedroom door becomes a standout piece of decor
How to Paint a Mold-Resistant Bathroom
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique paints a bathroom using a mold-resistant paint, in this edition of DIY Smarts.
Home Decor Upgrades Inspired by Patriots Team Colors
You don't have to plaster the place with Fatheads to show your team spirit. Incorporate team colors to your home decor with style
How to Color Stain Concrete
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough demonstrates how to dress up concrete by using a stain
How to Whitewash Brick with Masonry Supplies
Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough demonstrates a way to whitewash brick with masonry materials
A Primer on Primers
In this era of one-coat paint, priming might seem unnecessary. But primers are still your best bet to ensure a long-lasting, even paint job, and to block stains and odors. Here’s a quick guide to help you select the right primer for your painting project.
How to Paint MDF Furniture
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique demonstrates the best way to paint furniture built out of MDF.
Painter’s Tape Alternative
Now you can mask off any surface!
How to Paint a Tile Backsplash
Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor helps a homeowner apply a paint to update her kitchen tile backsplash
Paint a Supersized Stencil Pattern
A large Scandi-inspired stencil pattern and a soft two-tone paint palette offer a fresh take on the wallpaper look
Staining and Finishing Like a Pro
From choosing the right stain and finishing products to expert application tips, Nick Slavik shares his best practices to beautifying a wood deck, with the help of Behr coatings
Paint a Candy-Colored Staircase
A secondary staircase becomes a visual treat when painted a handful of unexpected hues
Paint Spill? Don’t Panic
Spring into action while it’s still wet, and it’s likely that latex can be removed from almost any surface
Paint a Simple Geometric Pattern on Your Bedroom Wall
Create an abstract accent-wall design with just a roll of painter’s tape and a few quarts of color
How to Clean Paintbrushes Like a Pro
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique demonstrates the most effective way to clean a paintbrush
Before and After: A Dated Brick Fireplace Makeover for $45
A first-time homeowner transforms a dated brick fireplace with two cans of gray paint—and some DIY artistry.
How to Safely Strip Paint from Woodwork
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique travels to Sacramento to show a homeowner the safe way to strip paint
How to Paint an Exterior Metal Door
Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique teaches a homeowner how to paint a metal front entry door.