Remodeling can be stressful – what goes where, what color schemes should you pick, how will the final product look – but hiring professionals to do the heavy lifting can alleviate some of the pressure. At Blue Door Painting, we pride ourselves on our residential painting services, and part of that pride comes from the affordability. We want your home to look and feel as great as you do, so we strive to provide reasonable prices for all of your needs.

Our services don’t just stop at primer and paint; we usually start by prepping the walls to provide the best surface for long-lasting color. This means repairing minor wall damage – filling small holes and cracks, for example – and sanding walls prior to getting started.

We don’t include paint in our overall cost, but we’re happy to provide suggestions (we LOVE Benjamin Moore colors) for price and longevity. Usually, an averaged sized room will cost about $100 in paint and supplies, depending on brand, retailer and paint type. Some paints are more environmentally friendly or have asthma and allergy-friendly formulas, and those can cost a bit more for the long-term benefits.

The cost to complete a room varies depending on your specific needs, but you’re looking at an average of $325 for labor. This covers our work, walls and ceilings (delicate trim is a little extra) and your peace of mind.

Still not sure about pro painting? Contact us today for a quote and we can start turning your vision into a (reasonably priced) reality.

Our recent Willowbrook exterior painting project was a literal change in scenery – Blue Door Painting refreshed the entire exterior of this beautiful home, helping it to stand out against the crowd and remain bold in the coming winter months.

Though it may seem counterintuitive, autumn is a great time to touch up or completely redo your home’s exterior. Summertime is great for outdoor projects, but fall has fewer insects, less pollen and a more temperate climate to work with. Not only that, but getting a facelift before the snow comes can help your exterior survive some of the harsh side effects of a Chicago winter.

For this home, the owner was keen to create a unique look. The deep, warm Country Redwood Arborcoat Stain by Benjamin Moore was a bold choice that matched the wood and stone accents already present on the house.

To help the red pop even more, we lined the windows with Ashland Slate trim, also a Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Stain. This shade lives in a family of dark grays, but the purple undertones give it more depth than a flatter, more straightforward choice.

In just five days, we took a nice home that blended in with its neighbors and transformed it into a gorgeous statement piece in the subdivision.

If you’re ready to upgrade your home’s look, contact us today for a free quote. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

Businesses choose colors based on how they affect potential customers: red makes you hungry, blue makes you comfortable. This technique is used in everything from wall painting in restaurants to font choices in TV ads. At Blue Door Painting, we know that colors can evoke feelings and we love helping you achieve the ideal look and feel of your space. We also know that many new parents are looking to create a certain atmosphere – while remaining on trend – when they paint their baby’s room. Keep these tips in mind when deciding on your nursery’s color and look.

Red

If trend-spotters are to be believed, red is the new black. This powerful, passionate color is popping up in baby rooms everywhere, bringing with it a bold, emotional atmosphere. We wouldn’t recommend going full red; an accent wall or accent piece would be perfect. Be careful though – too much red can cultivate a lot of emotions…and not just positive ones.

Pink

Everyone knows pink as the feminine, light female color, but its calming qualities can come in handy with fussy babies. The romantic color is perfect for a princess theme, and classic pink decor in a girl’s room will never go out of style.

Orange

Not traditionally included in nurseries, this color is cozy. The comfortable, warm vibe given off by this hue is fun while still keeping the room calm and welcoming.

Yellow

As we’ve discussed in other blogs, yellow is a fun, upbeat color that inspires a cheerful personality. Be cautious with yellow in nurseries though; the brightness can be overwhelming and this color can provoke some unrest.

Green

Many moms- and dads-to-be choose green as a neutral compromise, especially if they’re waiting to reveal their new addition’s gender until later. This color has more value than just generic properties, though – it provokes learning and nurturing. The serene nature helps calm babies and promote happiness.

Blue

Along with pink, blue comes with a stereotype outright: boys. But unlike pink, this color is rapidly finding its way into the other gender’s rooms (in lighter, more pastel tones). For both boys and girls, blue can help with productivity, but the shade is important. Some blues – dustier, grayish blues – can lead to sadness, and deep, dark blues can be overused. Think bright, fun blues for a baby’s room.

Purple

If pink wasn’t “princess” enough, consider purple since it’s fit for a queen! The color of royalty, this option lends itself well to girls’ rooms, giving a luxurious atmosphere. On top of the royal treatment, purple also has calming qualities to help with fussier babies.

White

White in nurseries has taken a backseat to more bold choices and statements, but still has its merits. Even white walls need statement colors – photos here, decor there – but the angelic nature of the color is attractive to some parents who don’t yet know what they’re having. Careful, though – white stains easily!

Black

Minimalist parents will love the idea of a black (and white) nursery; clean lines, modern edges and a powerful atmosphere. However, strong and dark hues like black should be used in moderation (accents, linens, etc.) and only in rooms with plenty of light.

Have a dream nursery in mind? Get in touch today to let us help you achieve that dream.

Our September Job of the Month was close to home – literally! This gorgeous apartment was sold by members of the Blue Door Painting team, but not before a modern interior refresh.

The Avondale apartment already had a lot going for it – a great location, tons of space and natural light, as well as owners who had cared for it – but the key to fetching a good price from a buyer was presenting all the positives of the space itself.

Aside from choosing clean and attractive colors like Grey Cloud and Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore to update the rooms, the Blue Door Painting team was careful to stage the home to highlight all the wonderful attributes that a new buyer might enjoy. Especially for those transitioning from renter to owner, the pride of ownership extends far beyond being able to choose paint colors, so it’s important to showcase all the elements that make your house a home.

When staging a home or apartment, don’t forget the basics – make sure the space is clean, organized and inviting before hosting an open house. Our interior design contacts would be the first to tell you to keep the details in mind; pillows, plants, curtains, even candles or fragrance can create a cozy, attractive atmosphere for potential buyers.

Sticking with bright neutrals wasn’t just about staying on trend – this also allows for buyers to better visualize their own tastes when viewing the rooms. Overwhelming reds or dark blues or any color that’s striking and bold might work for you, but your buyer might be turned off by the daring choice.

The formal dining room started off as a playroom, but you would never know! It was reverted back to its original purpose after clearing away clutter and setting up a more natural flow of traffic through the home.

Buyers are looking for a great bedroom, so it’s savvy to focus a lot of energy on staging an impressive master suite. In this space, the bedrooms were tricky because of the attic ceilings, but the team was still able to set up a demonstrative room with appealing aesthetics.

Don’t be surprised if you have to spend a little money on staging – pictures, posters, rugs and other decorative pieces might cost a few bucks, but they will add measurable value to your home. Because this space was attractive and move-in ready, it took only one day in the property listings to pull in numerous offers. Better staging = more offers, more offers = more demand and value.

Aside from paint and decor updates, it can’t hurt to refinish floors, touch up trim and update kitchen cabinets and other hardware like bathroom faucets. Lighting fixtures need a facelift? Invest in some updated options that cast the room in the best light.

Keep in mind the kitchens and bathrooms can make or break a sale. Swap that old bathroom vanity for a modern sink and add a beautiful backsplash to your kitchen for an instant revitalization.

All set on the interior? Don’t forget curb appeal. Freshly painted front doors and finished decks can present a tidy image of a home that will look great for years to come.

Selling soon? Contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you present the best version of your home to potential buyers. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

Gray and beige are two of the Blue Door Painting team’s favorite choices for interiors, so it’s not surprising that we adore ‘greiges’ – mixes of both gray and beige shades. If you can’t decide which neutral to use, get the best of both worlds for your interior updates with our top five greige shades!

1. Perfect Greige SW 6073

This rich, intense color makes a statement while still keeping things neutral. This version of greige is warm and cozy, creating a perfect atmosphere and backdrop for bolder pieces.

2. Mega Greige SW 7031

Step up the intensity of Perfect Greige and you have Mega Greige. There’s so much drama in this shade! It’s gorgeous and pairs will with both light and dark touches, but shouldn’t be used to lighten a room.

3. Sticks and Stones SW 7503

This warm greige has lots of brown undertones and we absolutely love it in kitchens with rich wooden cabinetry and/or decor. White trim and accents work perfectly with this shade.

4. Alpaca SW 7022

Looking for something softer? This light and lovely shade is a cooler take on the greige phenomenon. If you have a darker room that needs to be lightened or a space with natural light that you want to enhance, this is the ideal choice.

5. Agreeable Gray SW 7029

Contrary to the name, this shade is actually in the greige family based on the noticeable beige/brown undertones. It’s light and neutral, and can be paired with a wide variety of colors to accent or brighten a space.

Our Top Five series is brought to you by Blue Door Painting’s design partner, Jasmin Reese Interiors. Looking for design ideas or color inspiration? Contact Jasmin and her team for an unparalleled professional opinion.

If you’ve already found the perfect greige and want to get started, contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you create the home of your dreams. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

At Blue Door Painting, we love using neutrals in decor and design. That said, we’re not afraid to take a home like our recent Ravenswood revamp and up the color quotient for a bolder interior look.

Our August Job of the Month started as a drab multi-level home that relied too much on beige and brown tones throughout the entire structure. Walls, floors, even decorative elements were so neutral that they all blended together. We teamed up with Jasmin Reese Interiors to create a color scheme that could make this home’s decor and style stand out.

To complete this interior job, we painted the living room, formal living room, staircase and the kitchen. The main color theme was a beige and dark brown side-by-side combination that stretched the entirety of the walls. We updated this to one color – Hazy Skies OC-48 by Benjamin Moore – to streamline the room and make the space look cleaner and more spacious. To do this, we first had to remove the chair rail separating the two sections of wall to open up a clean, cohesive surface.

The focal point of the main living room was a beautiful stone fireplace that was being vastly underutilized. We took the plain white framing and made a bold, black accent piece out of the entire portion of wall that housed the fireplace. The bright, contrasting decor added afterward really makes the accent stand out.

You’ll notice in the “after” pictures that the homeowners have impeccable taste in both art and furniture. This home is incomparable in its decor, with gorgeous paintings and art pieces, along with modern, stylish furnishings. Even their plants worked with the room when we were done with it!

Next, we brightened the staircase walls with Hazy Skies OC-48 by Benjamin Moore for a cleaner look.

Blue Door Painting is a five-star rated, highly experienced professional interior painting contractor that has been pleasing customers in the Chicago area for over 35 years.

We are experts in complete, full-service interior house painting for existing homes, gut rehabs, home renovations and new construction projects.

We hope you enjoyed this installment of our monthly Job of the Month Series. Stay tuned for more Chicagoland painting projects by Blue Door Painting!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

Looking to DIY an interior paint job? Make sure you’re prepared with our how-to checklist for a professional-looking finished product.

First, the preparation.

Preparation is as important – if not more so – than the paint itself. Start by clearing the area and covering floors and furniture with drop cloths. Then sand and clean all the surfaces you intend to paint. Next, fill any cracks or holes with with high quality spackle. Lastly, line the edges with painter’s tape to keep errant strokes off surfaces you don’t mean to paint. Check out our blog post on wall prep for more details.

Next, ceilings.

Once everything is put away and properly covered, start painting the ceilings. This is partially to get the hard part out of the way, but also because ceilings can dry without worry of being touched or smudged while you work on the rest of the room.

Then come the walls.

Now you get to the meat of the project – the walls. If the paint you’ve chosen doesn’t have a primer in it, prime the walls first (same with the ceiling) and allow time for that to dry before diving into the color. Once color has been applied, make sure everything looks even and apply further coats if necessary.

What about trim?

Completely depends on the job and where the trim is located. Either way, ceilings will still come first, followed then by either walls or trim.

The finisher.

Once the paint is on, let the room do its thing. Avoid opening windows – this may seem counterintuitive, since open windows means free-flowing air to help paint dry, but it can also mean bugs, dust and other particles landing on the wet paint and finding a permanent home on your freshly colored walls. Once all areas of the room have dried, check to make sure everything is coated properly, pack up and clean your tools and accessories, uncover your furniture, and leave your room looking brand new.

Sound like too much work? Bring in the professionals to do it for you! Blue Door Painting is a five-star rated, highly experienced professional interior painting contractor that has been transforming homes in the Chicago area for over 35 years. We’re experts in complete, full-service interior painting for existing homes, gut rehabs, home renovations and new construction projects. Get a FREE quote today!

Updating your home’s exterior is about more than just a fresh coat of paint – it’s about curb appeal and showcasing your personality. Summer is the perfect time to give your house a facelift, so we compiled a list of our top five favorite exterior paint colors for a refreshed look.

1. November Rain 2142-60 by Benjamin Moore

This pale beige is the perfect exterior neutral. White trim and porch railings pair well with this color. Use the Wedgewood Gray mentioned below on the front door to add interest. Touches of an olive green would also look great with this color.

2. Wedgewood Gray HC-146 by Benjamin Moore

This pale soft blue/green/gray color pairs well with white trim or the November Rain above. This shade is a great backdrop for lush green vegetation. Add an eye-catching pop of color with a bright red front door.

3. Dior Gray 2133-40 by Benjamin Moore

This is darker and more saturated gray than Wedgewood Grey, but has some of the same qualities. White trim with black touches on doors and shutters would create a dramatic yet timeless curb appeal.

4. Coventry Blue 4005-5C by Valspar

This blue makes you think of floating clouds and summertime. Light accent tones work well, but touches of a darker blue like Blue Sash by Valspar add depth and interest.

5. Collonade Gray SW 7641 by Sherwin Williams

This is a truly timeless gray. Use Panda White by Sherwin Williams for the trim. We recommend adding a pop of color on the front door – a bright red or sunny yellow.

Our Top Five series is brought to you by Blue Door Painting’s design partner, Jasmin Reese Interiors. Looking for design inspiration? Contact Jasmin and her team for an unparalleled professional opinion.

If you’ve already found your perfect exterior color scheme and want to get started, contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you create the home of your dreams. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

At Blue Door Painting, we don’t just paint over the flaws – we restore and prepare surfaces before completing the color. A recent Lake Shore Drive condominium refresh required us to repair extensive existing ceiling damage caused by water leaking into the apartment. Our expert repairs not only made for a smoother painting surface, but they rectified an issue that could cause larger problems down the line.

Once we restored the ceilings to a perfect, like-new finish, we painted the whole home interior to provide a much needed update. Now the homeowners can sit back and enjoy the gorgeous lake views!

This one bed, one bath Edgewater condo has impressive views, so we wanted to give the interior an impressive facelift to match. The walls were an unappealing yellow shade, with mismatched decor elements. We updated the yellow in the main living space to a calming green – SAGE SW 2860 by Sherwin Williams – with bright white trim.

As you can see in the photos below, the water damage on the ceiling was considerable and spanned the entire hallway and into other areas of the home. After meticulous repairs, we updated the look with a clean white to match the trim.

In the foyer, we updated the existing yellow to the more subdued Ambitious Amber 6366 by Sherwin Williams. The brightness of this shade complemented the white trim, ceilings and doors to give the space an airy quality.

To give the bedroom a unique feel, we replaced the bright yellow with a relaxing shade of purple – Beguiling Mauve 6269 by Sherwin Williams. We also painted the metal radiators in each room to match the walls for a more cohesive look.

This full interior update has been one of our most extensive interior jobs this summer, and we’re proud to share the final product with you! Blue Door Painting is a five-star rated, highly experienced professional painting contractor that delivers quality interior and exterior painting services to condominium associations in the Chicago area. Contact Blue Door Painting today to get a free estimate for any painting project – we are fast, professional and affordable!

We hope you enjoyed this installment of our monthly Job of the Month Series. Stay tuned for more Chicagoland painting projects by Blue Door Painting!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

Stellar home decor is about more than just paint and color schemes – small details and accents can really bring a room together. One of our favorite details gets overlooked so often – the cabinet pull! These small pieces of hardware might seem purely functional, but they can add a flair to your home or subtly bring a design scheme together. Take a look at a few of our favorite trendy options for your cabinets.

1. Richelieu Contemporary Recessed Metal Pulls. Available at Build.com for $10.97

We love this contemporary option because it’s not fussy and provides a clean, modern look. These make us this of kitchens in lofts and other updated, sleek spaces. These pulls are available in Oil Rubbed Bronze or Brushed Nickel.

2. Satin Copper Edgecliff Pulls. Available at Schoolhouse.com starting at $34

We love the clean lines of this pull; it’s simple yet striking. The rose gold and copper tones are growing in popularity for kitchen color schemes, and this option is right on the cusp of that trend. The shape alone will provide an immediate update to any kitchen and the color will pair well with white cabinets as well as with darker, more saturated colors.

3. Italian Designs 6 1/4 Center Bar Pulls. Available at Wayfair.com for $12.99

Center pull bars still remain a popular choice for kitchens of all styles. They’re a versatile option, as they work on both cabinets and drawers. This style works well for a traditionalist who wants a classic, sturdy choice that will last for years to come. They’re available in a variety of sizes and three finishes: Bright Chrome, Matte Brass and Satin Nickel.

This list is brought to you by Blue Door Painting’s design partner, Jasmin Reese Interiors. If you’re looking for design ideas, contact Jasmin and her team for an unparalleled professional opinion.

Thinking about upgrading your kitchen or bathrooms? Contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you create the home of your dreams. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

Pro tip: paint your new space before you move in to simplify the process. Taking that advice, the new owners of a loft-style condominium in the West Loop wanted to brighten the walls and trim throughout the unit before officially moving in. They called Blue Door Painting for the interior job, and we left them with a fresh, modern update to match their sweeping city views.

The original color scheme relied on cream neutrals with dark accent walls. Blues and browns were abundant in this space, and we wanted to lighten not only the walls, but the atmosphere.

We went with White Dove for the trim and doors – this lovely, warm shade of white adds a little more character than pure white.

The soft, neutral tones – Rodeo and Stonington Gray, both by Benjamin Moore – are perfect complements to the apartment’s flooring and kitchen colors. The neutrality isn’t just trendy; the streamlined look provides ultimate design flexibility while keeping the incredible views of the city front and center.

The bathrooms were bold and dark, so we updated both with Hushed Hue, a simple but rich shade from Benjamin Moore.

Blue Door Painting is a five-star rated, highly experienced professional painting contractor that delivers quality interior and exterior painting services to condominium associations in the Chicago area. Contact Blue Door Painting today to get a free estimate for any painting project – we are fast, professional and affordable!

We hope you enjoyed this installment of our monthly Job of the Month Series. Stay tuned for more Chicagoland painting projects by Blue Door Painting!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.

Who says beige has to be boring? At Blue Door Painting, we see a trendy, neutral color for interior updates and chill atmospheres. We compiled our favorite beiges in the list below:

1. Indian River BM 985

This beige is anything but dull! Layer the drama from the very beginning, starting with the walls and working up to the ceiling. This tone is a saturated color that stands up well alongside dark furniture or gold accents.

2. Pashmina BM AF100

Soft and romantic, Pashmina is a muted taupe that ‘s super elegant and comfortable. This beige variant is easy to love in any room.

3. Tapestry Beige BM OC-32

If you’re looking for what we’d consider a classic beige, Tapestry is for you! This shade is timeless but looks fresh and new. Whether it’s the featured color or a backdrop for other design elements, this color can work in any space.

4. Brandy Cream BM 1030

Brandy Cream is a great neutral option when you need to bring light into your space. It works great with a minimalist style and provides a beautiful contrast with dark wood floors. Perhaps more cream than beige, but an unstoppable neutral!

5. Accessible Beige SW 7036

Like the name suggests, this is an accessible, malleable shade. There are no orange or brown undertones in this color; instead, it’s a crisp, clear beige that radiates light and makes the perfect backdrop for whites.

Our Top Five series is brought to you by Blue Door Painting’s design partner, Jasmin Reese Interiors. Looking for design ideas or color inspiration? Contact Jasmin and her team for an unparalleled professional opinion.

If you’ve already found an ideal beige and want to get started, contact us today for a FREE estimate so we can help you create the home of your dreams. Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirations and read our 5 STAR reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List or Houzz.