Transformative Paint Makeovers: Before and After Reveal

The Power of Paint - The Inspired Room Kitchen Shelves

Before we move on from the kitchen-focused entries in our Best of the Best Room Makeover summer series and shift to pretty bedrooms for a while (we’ll return to kitchens later because there’s still so much to cover), I wanted to share a simple kitchen paint makeover.

It’s been enjoyable to explore dramatic renovations and be inspired by major transformations, but small, affordable updates can be just as satisfying. When a space becomes more inviting with minimal effort and expense, that is a dream makeover in its own right. With our modest 1950s kitchen, I took time to consider whether we should remodel or simply refresh what was already there. I didn’t want to default to gutting the space without first seeing its potential.

Kitchen Before - The Power of Paint click through to see this red, yellow and oak disappear with a fresh coat of stain blocking paint!Paint Red Wall to White

One reminder I kept returning to was the power of paint. Ultimately we decided it made sense to move forward with a full kitchen redo sooner rather than later (I’m excited to share more about that project), but I was curious to see what a can of white paint could do to soften the red wall and tone down the very oak cabinets. There’s nothing wrong with color or wood in a kitchen, but combined with the yellow wall in such a small corner it felt visually busy for my taste.

A small, focused update would satisfy my curiosity and show how much change paint alone can create. When Glidden introduced their new stain-blocking paint and primer called Complete, it seemed like the ideal product for this quick test.

Click through to see how we painted our red wall to white and be inspired for how you could transform your home - Glidden Complete stain blocking paint and primer.

Glidden Complete acrylic paint covered the red wall and oak cabinetry with ease. The paint dried quickly and the result was so satisfying to see. I didn’t want to tackle the entire kitchen at that moment, but the fresh coat calmed and unified this corner of the room and dramatically refreshed the overall look. It felt cleaner and more peaceful, and I was very happy with the outcome.

Below are before and after photos that demonstrate the effect a single paint update can achieve.

Before and After - The Power of Paint - The Inspired Room. Click through to find the details as we paint a red wall white in a refreshing before and after makeover!

I can finally take a deep breath and relax in my kitchen. The simplified, clean look is exactly what I wanted. If the remodel had been delayed further, I would have painted the whole kitchen because the impact is worth the time and effort.

The power of paint is amazing. If your kitchen—or any room or piece of furniture—feels off, paint might be the quick, effective solution or an excellent first step.

*****GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*****

Here are a few details about Glidden Complete paint and the giveaway that was sponsored by Glidden.

  • Stain blocking
  • Excellent hide
  • Highly scrubbable
  • Lifetime warranty
  • 100% acrylic
  • Low odor / Low VOC
  • Tintable to any color in the Glidden color palette
  • Available in Flat, Eggshell, and Semi-Gloss sheens

*****GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*****

This project and giveaway were sponsored by Glidden. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support The Inspired Room.