Luca Piccini Basile / Getty Images In their original state,cinder blocksare gray, dull, and lifeless. But it only takes a little color to turn this utilitarian building block around. Interiorcinder blockprojects like bookcases, shelves, tables, and desks take on new life when brightened with paint. Luca Piccini Basile / Getty Images Cinder block’s highly porous surface can bea bit tricky to paint. Before You Begin The key to successfully painting cinder blocks is priming....

Because concrete is a porous surface, painting it can be a challenge. But with the right preparation, technique, and paint, you’ll be able to accomplish the job. For the best results, adhere to these instructions for how to paint concrete. miriam-doerr / Getty Images Types of Concrete Paint When it comes to painting concrete, not just any paint will do. It’s important to choose the right kind of paintand one that is meant to be applied on concrete....

By painting your countertops, you afford yourself the creative freedom to choose from thousands of colors. Solid surface materials, too, work better when they are sanded down and buffed instead of being painted. If a solid surface or quartz countertop is chipped or scratched, the material can be sanded down. Alessandro De Carli / EyeEm / Getty Images A lightly used painted bathroom counter can last about two years before freshening up with another coat of paint....

Painting Formica also means keeping unrecyclable household materials out of the landfill. Formica laminatecannot be re-laminated, so other than full replacement, painting is the only refurbishment option. Painting Formica is approved by the manufacturer as a means of updating outdated, worn, or damaged Formica. Image by Marie LaFauci / Getty Images What Is Formica? Formica is a prominent brand oflaminate countertop. Laminate countertop is made primarily of layers of kraft paper and synthetic resins....

Work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside. Use a face mask to protect yourself while spraying, even if you are outside. Let the first coat dry completely. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Then, spray a second coat and let that dry. What Is an Ombre Effect? The Spruce / Meg MacDonald The Spruce / Meg MacDonald The Spruce / Meg MacDonald The Spruce / Meg MacDonald The Spruce / Meg MacDonald...

PaintingIKEA furnitureis easy but requires some special care and prep work. For this, you’ll need a roller, a high-quality paintbrush, or a paint sprayer. Lay the pieces on your drop cloth. fotostorm/ Getty Images Oscar Wong/ Getty Images Sand the Surface Sand the surfaces of thedisassembled piecesusing 120-grit sandpaper. Prime the Piece Apply a water-based or shellac primerwith a roller or brush. Add a second coat of primer on darker-colored IKEA furniture....

But with a little know-how and the right tools and materials, its entirely possible. Want more design inspiration? If its a new piece, the items will come disassembled anyway. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly This will make the whole process much easier and give you a better finish. Once sanded, thoroughly wipe down all the surfaces with a damp cloth to remove the dust particles. Using a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of primer to every surface....

you’re free to choose to paint a door on or off its hinges. Before You Begin Paint Door in Place or Remove It? In general, it’s preferable to remove the door from the hinges. The Spruce / Sanja Kostic Painting flat also reduces paint drips. Types of Paint Use interior acrylic-latex paint on doors. Choose eggshell,satin, or semi-gloss sheens. The Spruce / Sanja Kostic Avoid using flat or matte paint on doors....

Professional paintersdevelop procedures over time that make their jobs go faster, look better, and finish cleaner. Remove or Cover Large Items Remove large objects like sofas, bookcases, and beds if possible. Bag each item with its own screws in a zip-loc bag. Ronnie Comeau / Stocksy United Tape the Ceiling Run strips of painter’s tape on the ceiling. Aim for uninterrupted strips of tape. This reduces the number of colored paint coats needed....

In either case, the painting process requires about the same amount of work. Along with baseboards, the outer trim moldings of a window or doorcalled case moldingsare very often painted. What Is Case Molding? The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Case moldings are usually finished to match the baseboards and other wood trim within a room. What Is Cutting-In? At least, this is a common method used by amateurs. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault...

You canreface or replacecabinets for afresh look, but that is far moreexpensive than painting. How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? It’s considerably cheaper to paint your kitchen cabinets than to have a professional handle the job. The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo Most painters charge between $20 and $50 per hour. You’ll also want to take note of what areas should and should not be painted. Use particulate masks when sanding....

Wipe down the cabinets with the cleaning solution and allow them to dry fully. Remove Doors and Drawers Remove doors and drawers. Removecabinet hardwarefrom the doors and drawers and place them in plastic bags. YinYang / Getty Images Repair Damage Examine the cabinets for cracks and shallow dents. Use wood filler to fill in the scrapes and holes. Smear the wood filler into the damaged area with your finger. The Spruce / Kevin Norris...

First, to get a smooth paint finish on MDF, you’ll need to lightly sand it. Then, seal the MDF before painting with primer to assure a smooth finish. Before You Begin Painting MDF cabinets is not as straightforward as you may think. The Spruce / Sanja Kostic The product’s porosity can result in a rough, swollen, or distorted surface texture after painting. Also, the edges of theMDFtend to siphon up paint, no matter how much is applied....