• Originally published August 10, 2010 at midnight, updated August 10, 2010 at midnight

By Kathryn Weber

When designers are asked for the quick and inexpensive way to create a big impact in a home, the answer is always the same: use paint color. OK, we get that. Color helps. But what color, what kind of sheen on the paint and where should it go? Use these paint tips to trick out your house and give it a shot in the color arm.

Paint Trick No. 1: Use accent walls. Accent walls fell out of favor, but they're back in and in a big way. Painting a single wall, such as behind a bed or sofa is a great way to use color without feeling like your drowning in it. Here's the trick though, try using paint in something other than behind a bed or sofa. How about painting the wall behind your fireplace or breakfast area a single striking color?

Paint Trick No. 2: Paint your interior doors. Who says doors always have to be painted the same color as the trim? Why not make the doors stand out and paint them a striking color? You might be surprised at how snappy your doors can look and how the color adds prominence to a door.

Paint Trick No. 3: Paint windows. If you have paintable windows, paint them a different shade than the surrounding trim. Painting your windows a different color makes them stand out from the room and vice versa - and looks oh so sharp.

Paint Trick No. 4: No headboard for your bed? No problem. Painting a wall behind the bed fools the eye that there is a headboard. To make the bed have even more prominence, paint a single strip of wall behind the bed where a headboard would be and the bed will look complete. You can paint it headboard height, or run it all the way to the ceiling.

Paint Trick No. 5: Paint a kitchen accent wall. Painting accent walls in the bedroom or living room is pretty standard, but try painting an accent wall in the kitchen for the touch of something unexpected.

Paint Trick No. 6: Use lacquer. Lacquer paint is a specialty paint most often used for painting cars, but used in the home, it's positively gorgeous. Lacquer paint is smooth, has a brilliant shine and is amazingly tough. It's also very hard to paint with. You'll need to hire a painter, but it's the kind of paint that transforms a room into a jewel box. Try lacquer in the dining room. At night, the room will positively sparkle.

Paint Trick No. 7: Paint your floors. If you don't want to go to the expense of refinishing your wood floors, but you don't want to cover them with carpet, try painting them. A bright white room would look smashing with indigo-colored floors.

Paint Trick No. 8: Gild it. Gold is a striking color and looks rich and elegant on a dining room and master bedroom ceiling. Better still, apply gold paint to your trim in the master bath, dining room, or living room for a touch of golden Rococo style.

For more paint ideas check out color blogs like fauxology.com or colorbuzz.valsparblog.com and bring some color to your living space.

Kathryn Weber is a home and decorating columnist and publishes the Red Lotus Letter feng shui ezine. For more information or questions, email katie@redlotusletter.com or write to her at P.O. Box 531, Cuero, Texas 77954. Please include your e-mail address or a SASE for a reply.

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