7 Things You Didn't Know You Could Paint

If you're still saving up for your remodel, here are some affordable and refreshing paint ideas to consider in the meantime

By This Old House

1. Countertops

Coating countertops is a great solution for covering stains or burns embedded in low-cost materials. The Giani Coutnertop Paint Kits come in a variety of shades.

<p>We like the look of Bombay Black faux stone. Get everything you need to learn this decorative painting technique in one box. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0034IHY5O/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisldousent-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0034IHY5O&linkId=8d1c1115be597d4b2dc01b52ec6045dc" target="_blank"><em>About $80; Amazon</em></a></p> — We like the look of Bombay Black faux stone. Get everything you need to learn this decorative painting technique in one box. About $80; Amazon

<h2>2. Refrigerator</h2> <p><a href="https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/7-charming-diy-home-change-ups-cheap" target="_blank">When we featured this paint idea</a> in the magazine, readers were intrigued. Many parents thought it would be a fun upgrade for the kids.</p> — 2. Refrigerator

When we featured this paint idea in the magazine, readers were intrigued. Many parents thought it would be a fun upgrade for the kids.

<p>Consider Sheffield Chalkboard and Table Tennis Finish to get the look. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZY47J6/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisldousent-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B005ZY47J6&linkId=667c4224f509bb2a55acba8e5f080e08" target="_blank"><em>About $20; Amazon</em></a></p> — Consider Sheffield Chalkboard and Table Tennis Finish to get the look. About $20; Amazon

<p>Or, check out Rust-oleum's Chalkboard paint kits. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D8UDI5C/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisldousent-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01D8UDI5C&linkId=6544f16c7417e42f38d539da39d93de7" target="_blank"><em>About $30; Amazon</em></a></p> — Or, check out Rust-oleum's Chalkboard paint kits. About $30; Amazon

3. Tubs

4. Tile

You can certainly add a pop of color to the bath by painting the outside of a clawfoot tub, but did you know that you could also transform the inside of a grimey basin with paint, too? In the how-to video above, Rust-oleum shows you how.

<p>This process requires quite a bit of drying time, but the end result is worth it. Finish works for refreshing wall tile as well. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KXWY1PA/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisldousent-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00KXWY1PA&linkId=2dea82a409f332a78af02fef25ee28b2" target="_blank"><em>About $50/ set of 2; Amazon</em></a></p> — This process requires quite a bit of drying time, but the end result is worth it. Finish works for refreshing wall tile as well. About $50/ set of 2; Amazon

<h2>5. Radiators</h2> <p>We talked a <em>TOH </em>fan through <a href="https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/painting-radiators" target="_blank">how to revive an old radiator</a>, but you can make easy work of it with the right products. Just make sure you <a href="https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/how-to-paint-brick-mdf-metal-and-plastic" target="_blank">prep and clean metal surfaces</a> as needed, and use a latex spray paint formulated for high heat.</p> — 5. Radiators

We talked a TOH fan through how to revive an old radiator, but you can make easy work of it with the right products. Just make sure you prep and clean metal surfaces as needed, and use a latex spray paint formulated for high heat.

<p>Try Krylon Aluminum High Heat and Radiator Spray. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L9QKBS/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisldousent-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B000L9QKBS&linkId=ceaf48e7a7f64c0b27e15ad0ab97c4f1" target="_blank"><em>About $17; Amazon</em></a></p> — Try Krylon Aluminum High Heat and Radiator Spray. About $17; Amazon

6. Whiteboards

Old whiteboards can get exceedingly harder to clean as they age and their out-of-box finish wears off. Give your board a good scrub and refinishing with whiteboard paint.

<p>Try the Rust-oleum Dry Erase Kit or look for whiteboard paint at your local hardware store. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PGBCOC/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisldousent-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B000PGBCOC&linkId=55131238c7f60e3df5a0137292f07bef" target="_blank"><em>About $30; Amazon</em></a></p> — Try the Rust-oleum Dry Erase Kit or look for whiteboard paint at your local hardware store. About $30; Amazon

<h2>7. Upholstered Furniture</h2> <p>If you've got a mess you can't completely lift out of fabric upholstery, consider cleaning then covering the imperfection with paint. The makers over at one of our favorite blogs, A Beautiful Mess, tried the latex paint + fabric medium process. You can read more about their project <a href="https://abeautifulmess.com/2014/06/adventures-in-painting-upholstery.html">here.</a></p> — 7. Upholstered Furniture

If you've got a mess you can't completely lift out of fabric upholstery, consider cleaning then covering the imperfection with paint. The makers over at one of our favorite blogs, A Beautiful Mess, tried the latex paint + fabric medium process. You can read more about their project here.

<p>Pick your paint shade, then grab a bottle of Delta Textile Medium to try the process yourself. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XZTD28/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisldousent-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B000XZTD28&linkId=55a32a8fbaf977283232afce9f5ddfca" target="_blank"><em>About $10; Amazon</em></a></p> — Pick your paint shade, then grab a bottle of Delta Textile Medium to try the process yourself. About $10; Amazon