How to Paint a Bed Frame

A bed is an oasis of comfort and relaxation, but it needn't make you yawn.

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Updated on December 5, 2019

To transform an old-fashioned frame into a bright, cheerful piece, do as our decorating editors do: Grab a can of paint. For a modern feel and greater durability, choose a glossy finish. We used a brilliant fire-engine red to freshen up this classic wooden cannonball design and dressed the bed with linens that pick up the color. The results are positively dreamy.

Learn more about how to paint anything in our full guide, including other instant upgrade projects.

What You'll Need

Materials

Paint (Benjamin Moore High Gloss Paint, in Exotic Red, pricing available upon request, benjaminmoore.com.)
Primer
Sandpaper
Paintbrush
Bedding

Instructions

Before painting, sand the frame and apply two coats of primer. Let dry; then apply two coats of paint, letting dry between coats. We used Exotic Red in high-gloss from Benjamin Moore.
To match the bed frame, we chose linens in red, white, and blue. A limited color palette helps unify the mix of patterns and solids. The comforter cover is by Calico Corners, which creates custom-made bedding in any of its fabrics.

Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART LIVING, APRIL 2010