Chances are, you’re spending way more time in your home during the COVID-19 crisis than ever before. And, chances are, you’ve noticed some things about it that you don’t love. Is the baseboard paint chipping? Are you feeling trapped inside four boring white walls? Do your kitchen cabinets need an upgrade?
All these problems can be fixed with a fresh coat of paint, and painting is something you—yes, you—can do all on your own. “Painting is one of the most economical home improvement projects that can dramatically change the overall appearance and feel of a home,” says Jennifer Duttine, a decorator at Colorize Inc., a Clifton Park-based paint store. Plus, depending on the size of the room, a painting project can be completed in a day or two—a drop in the bucket during this seemingly never-ending social distancing thing.
But what color to choose? While Benjamin Moore’s 2020 color of the year is First Light (a soft, rosy pink), Duttine says for Colorize, which carries Benjamin Moore paints, grays are the main attraction of late. She recommends checking out Stonington Gray, Thunder and Classic Gray. Sea Salt is a wonderful light beige, and Simply White is good for trim, ceilings and walls.
If you’re skeptical about painting an entire room a brand-new color, Duttine recommends considering an accent wall—one that’s painted a different color than the others. “Accent walls continue to be a fantastic option for any room, from bedrooms and main living areas to a simple half bath,” she says. “They’ve come a long way from just a simple darker or lighter color on one wall. Wallpaper, as an accent can change the entire feel of a room, and a large window wall with new window treatments can also act as an accent wall. The options are endless.”
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a can at your local paint retailer—many are open for curbside pickup—and get painting! Your days in quarantine are starting to look a whole lot brighter.
