Homeowners Target Trim and Ceilings

Homeowners are moving away from standard wall repaints and focusing on specific architectural details instead.

The 2027 FrogTape Paint Project Index released this week tracks DIY painting habits. The data covers projects completed in the past and plans for the coming year. The survey found that trim is the only category where future interest outpaces past work. Fifty-four percent of respondents plan to paint trim in 2027. Only forty-five percent have done so before. Thirty-one percent say updating architectural details refreshes a room without the cost of repainting all four walls.

The data also highlights a move toward color in small, utilitarian rooms. Forty-two percent of homeowners plan to transform a powder room or laundry room with bold paint. Sixty percent of those interested believe strong color turns a functional space into a design feature. Only four percent of that group prefer to keep these areas neutral. Ceilings are seeing a similar shift. Forty-nine percent of respondents have already painted a ceiling. Twenty-seven percent plan to paint a ceiling in a contrasting color within the next twelve months. Among those who have already painted non-white ceilings, fifty-eight percent said they wanted to add character to a plain room.

Kitchen cabinets and built-in shelving are also part of the 2027 plan. Forty-five percent of homeowners have already painted these storage units. Thirty-seven percent intend to do so in the next year. Forty-three percent cite personalization as their main motivation. Twenty-five percent said they want to save money compared to hiring a contractor. Precision tools are becoming essential for these detailed projects. Ninety-seven percent of DIYers say they use or plan to use painter’s tape for a recent or upcoming project. Sixty-six percent apply it to almost every job that requires clean lines. However, only twenty-one percent feel fully confident achieving professional results on complex designs like arches or geometric patterns. FrogTape reported that its Advanced Painter’s Tape features PaintBlock Technology to prevent bleed. The company is promoting the product for its ability to conform to curves and remove without tearing.