Refreshing Trim with Caulk and Paint

We all have those moments in our home.  We walk around and just feel a little dissatisfied with it.  Maybe there are projects or décor items we want but the budget isn’t there yet.  Maybe the kids’ playthings are everywhere and the clutter creep is getting to us.  Maybe it’s a cloudy winter day (enough said).  These are the times when we need a few tricks in our back pockets to give our homes a quick, easy, and inexpensive pick-me-up.

               One of these tricks is refreshing a room’s trim with caulk and paint.  Oftentimes, the little cracks, scuffs, and imperfections on baseboards and around windows and doorways are barely noticeable, but covering them never fails to make a space look new again.  This project can be accomplished in an afternoon with materials most of us have at home.  If not, they can be purchased inexpensively at any hardware or home improvement store.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Gather your supplies.  You will need paintable acrylic latex caulk (white is best for white trim), damp paper towels, painter’s tape to protect floors or wall paint, trim paint, and a paint brush.
2. Prep your trim.  If existing caulk is cracked or loose, remove it using a putty knife and/or sharp utility knife.  Next, thoroughly wipe down the trim with a damp paper towel.  Even if you dust regularly, there may still be dust, dirt, or debris that will gunk up your caulk or paint.  Let the trim dry completely.
3. Caulk.  Run a thin line across those little cracks and gaps.  [Please note that this step applies to gaps less than ¼ inch in size.  Larger gaps will require filling prior to caulking.]  Every few feet, use a tool like this one or fingertip to smooth.  Wipe off the tool or finger frequently with a damp paper towel.  Wait an hour or two for the caulk to dry before painting.  It will take a full 24 hours to cure, so ideally you will wait that long to paint, but let’s be honest, most of us do not have that kind of time/patience.
4. Prep for paint.  Use painter’s tape to tape off floors and walls to avoid getting trim paint on them and to ensure a clean, straight line.
5. Paint.  If you’re just touching up the existing color, one coat will likely be sufficient.
6. Gently pull up the tape before the paint is completely dry to prevent peeling.

This trick will not magically renovate your bathroom, sort that pile of mail, or replace the sofa you no longer care for.  It will, however, freshen your space and give it a little glow-up.  And sometimes that’s all we need to chase away the home blahs – for a little while, anyway.

               Let us know – have you tried the trim trick?  What are some of your other favorite ways to refresh your space when you need a little home pick-me-up?