Before & after: what a fresh coat of paint really does

Paint is the biggest change you can make to a home for the money. It doesn't move a single wall, but it changes how every room feels and how the whole house looks from the street. Drag the handles below to see the difference in four common projects.

These examples are design renderings that show the kind of change each project makes. Our real job photos are in the gallery.

Exterior: faded siding to a classic white

BeforeAfter

What changed: peeling paint was scraped and sanded, gaps caulked, then the siding, trim, shutters and door were painted. High-contrast white and black is timeless, and the red door gives it personality.

Painted brick: dated to modern

BeforeAfter

What changed: the brick was cleaned, primed with masonry primer and painted soft white, and the windows, fascia and door went black. Thinking about this one? Read our guide to painting brick first.

Living room: tired tan to fresh greige

BeforeAfter

What changed: nail holes and a water stain were repaired and primed, then the walls were painted a soft greige with bright white trim and crown. Same furniture, completely different room.

Kitchen: honey oak to navy & white

BeforeAfter

What changed: the cabinets were cleaned, sanded and primed, then painted navy on the bottom and white on top, with new brass pulls. No new cabinets, no torn-out countertops. See paint or replace your cabinets?

The best "after" photos all have the same thing in common: careful prep you can't see.