The Finishing Touches Every Redecoration Project Needs

Don’t put those brushes and cans of paint away just yet! You’ve still got a few finishing touches to do! If you’ve just completed a home improvement project and are ready to call it a day, give yourself a bit more time to focus on the details. They won’t take long or cost too much and they really do bring the whole picture together. 

Trust us, you’ll thank yourself for putting in the time and effort! 

And if you’re not sure what else you might need to cover before your project is complete, here are a few ideas. If you want, you can think of the list below as a checklist and go over each entry one by one!

Is the Paint a Bit Thin Anywhere?

Painting your home isn’t a one-and-done job — it’s one of those DIY projects that’s simple in theory but time-consuming in practice. Every wall needs at least two coats, no matter the color or what’s underneath. And if there’s any built-up grime you didn’t scrub off beforehand, it can cause the new paint to deteriorate or show through.

Now’s the perfect time to take a close look at your freshly painted walls for any areas where coverage looks thin. Keep an eye out for uneven paint, visible brushstrokes, or spots where the wall has soaked up too much paint, leaving patchy sections behind. If you notice any of these, roll up your sleeves, slip your apron back on, and make sure your paint tray is well filled before touching up.

Does Anything Need Cleaned Up?

Every home renovation project leaves behind its fair share of paint splatters, dust, dirt, grease, and other debris. The key is catching them early—when cleanup is quick and easy. Wait too long, though, and these messes can become much harder to remove. Sweep away dust bunnies or sawdust piles as soon as you spot them, and scrape off any stray grout from your backsplash before it fully sets. Once materials harden or get absorbed into the surface, there’s no undoing it.

Take a moment to inspect the areas where you’ve made improvements. Look carefully over walls, floors, nearby furniture, and soft furnishings. Keep in mind the materials you used — paint, caulk, glue — since any of these can splatter or drip. That’s why it’s worth checking beyond your immediate work zone for stray marks or scattered paint once the job is done.

Does Anything Stick Out Like a Sore Thumb?

When you’re inspecting a room for finishing touches, make sure to check both high and low. Use a step stool or ladder to examine the line where the wall meets the ceiling, and get down close to the floor to spot any imperfections you might otherwise miss. These are often the areas most in need of a touch-up — and once you notice a flaw later, you’ll never be able to unsee it.

Look out for missed paint spots, torn or peeling wallpaper, or even loose wiring that needs attention. Don’t forget to check behind and around furniture, where small issues can stand out once the rest of the room is perfect.

For instance, those outlets beside the bed that sit just above your nightstand? If they’re bright white or dull cream, they’ll pop against most wall colors and darker wood tones, drawing the eye more than you’d like.

See if you can buy some paintable brass plates for your home and use them to replace the socket plates you’re dealing with. Once they’re installed, you can give them the same treatment as the rest of the room! 

Is the Furniture Really in the Right Place?

Now you’ve ticked off the slightly harder, more pressing, and more thorough checks, we’ve got one final finishing touch task for you to do: double check that the furniture is in the right place.  Because if it isn’t, you could spend the next week or so trying to rearrange it again—and that’s not a fun thing to do when you’ve already checked out of renovation mode!

If you’ve had to move everything out and everything back in again, check that things line up where they should and you’re struggling to see the TV. Remember, one bad furniture placement can do a number on your perception. Remember, even one poorly placed piece of furniture can throw off the entire space.

If you’re arranging new furniture, or you’ve redesigned the overall layout, make sure it actually works the way you need it to. Good interior design isn’t just about making things look good —your rooms actually need to function properly as well! 

Just Completed Your Redecoration? Check if You Need Some Finishing Touches!

These finishing touches can make a world of difference in how your home looks — and how much you enjoy living in it. Walk through each room with a fine-tooth comb, keeping an eye out for thin paint coverage, accidental focal points that throw off the balance, and small imperfections that can be easily wiped away.

And while you’re at it, try nudging the sofa back a few inches — it might be sticking out into the center of the room more than you realize!