While you have been doing all of those Spring projects around the house, maybe you have noticed that the place could use a little sprucing up, or you are just in the mood for a change. An inexpensive and fun way to decorate is with a new coat of paint. There are lots of colors, styles, and even textures to choose from that can make your space truly personal. If you are looking for some fresh ideas, look no further than the Chatham Area Public Library.
To get acquainted with a variety of ideas, have a look at The Complete Book of Paint: A Sourcebook of Techniques, Finishes, Designs, and Projects. To get an idea of what you’re in for, Decorative Painting 1-2-3: From Prep to Clean Up: A Complete Guide to Interior Painting will clue you in. Paint Your Home: Skills, Techniques, and Tricks of the Trade for Professional Looking Interior Painting explains how to get the job done right the first time.
One might think that that is about it to painting in and around the home. In fact, there are a myriad of ways to decorate around the home with paint. Want to add a little texture? Look in The Paint Effects Bible: 100 Recipes for Faux Finishes to see what is truly possible. Want to go beyond texture, or beyond walls? There are
few surfaces in the home that cannot be painted. The Stenciled House: An Inspirational and Practical Guide to Transforming Your Home confronts solid color surfaces with designs and patterns for truly beautiful walls, furniture, and floors. Projection Stenciling demonstrates techniques for creating mural sized designs and effects on surfaces from floors to glass, walls to refrigerators. Does painting the floor sounds like less than a good idea? No problem. The Complete Book of Floorcloths: Design and Techniques for Painting Great Looking Canvas Rugs and Floorcloth Magic: How to Paint Canvas Rugs for Decorative Home Use offer great ways to make nonpermanent changes to the areas below the feet.
Other household objects are not immune from being painted. Painting Fabric: How to Use the New Paints to Introduce Color to Clothes, Cushions, Curtains endeavors to turn the whole interior universe into something remarkable. 
Likewise, Great New Ways to Paint on Glass and Glass Painting Projects: Decorative Glass for Beautiful Interiors both contain colorful ways to bring life to jars, bottles, windows, tables, shower doors, and more. Painted Wooden Furniture: Easy to Follow Templates for Decorating Over Twenty Stylish Projects takes the ordinary to the extraordinary. Are you ready to move outside? Take routine outdoor items like trash cans, flower pots, fences, and watering cans over the top with Painting Garden Décor with Donna Newberry. For some projects that truly have to be seen to be believed, have a look at Painting Flowers on Rocks. You will be amazed.
Painting around the house doesn’t have to be a chore. The Chatham Area Public Library has a spectrum of great ideas for putting some fun and creativity into your home decorating plans. Personalize with paint and individualize you space.
