Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Glidden® Paint through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Glidden Paint, all opinions are my own.

Brad and I have had some plain black side-tables in our living room for a few years. They were starting to look a little worse for wear and in need of an update. Enter paint to the rescue! I had the idea for painting the table and legs in two-tone. The top and part of the legs would be one color then the bottom another.

I headed out to pick out some paint and was happy with the simplified palette of Glidden® Paint. I wasn’t overwhelmed picking out colors and noticed that they had shapes to help me know what colors go well together. The engineer in me doesn’t always have the most awareness of what colors go well together so having the key was helpful.

The colors I selected were Glidden Paint’s True Turquoise and Glidden Paint’s Caribbean Sea. I also got the Glidden Duo so that it included the primer in the paint. To see the color simplified palette for yourself; visit Glidden Paint’s website.

To start this update, the first step is to do a light sanding with 120 grit sandpaper all over. This isn’t to remove the paint; but to scratch up the surface a bit so the paint has something to adhere to. Once the surface has been painted, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove the sanding dust. I painted the table in the garage because it is a pretty consistent temperature and I can open the door to get fresh air in. Plus in Seattle who knows when it might start raining so the garage kept it nice and dry.

Using a low-nap foam roller, spread the paint evenly across the top of the table and along the sides. I didn’t have to paint all of the legs because the bottom part would be the other color. Make sure to read the can to know what the drying conditions were. I did my first coat in the evening and since I had time, I waited until the next day to do the second coat.

To create the two tone legs; I wrapped the leg in painters tape at the same height on each of the legs. Make sure to measure so that the legs don’t end up with different paint (unless you like asymmetry – then go for whatever you want). Once the tape is applied, press down along the edges to make sure it is nice and sealed. Use a paint brush or small roller to paint the lower part of the legs with the second color. I turned mine on its side so that I didn’t have to paint right down to the ground. Then part way through flipped it onto its top to get some of the more awkward angles. Be careful to not apply too much paint otherwise it will start to drip.

Once it has completely dry, the end table got moved back into its spot in the living room. I love how cheery it is and the bit of color it adds against the neutral couch. Painting the table was also a lot simpler than I was expecting.

It is amazing how just a little paint can liven up a room. Have you used paint to add some character to a room in your home? What did you do?