With countertop paint kits available for less than $200, the cost to give countertops of faux granite look is a fraction of the cost to replace the countertops with actual granite.

Before you can paint your walls, you’ll need to prime them. With a paintbrush, outline the walls, ceilings, and windows, with a 2- to 3-inch strip of primer using angled brush.

One is an adjustable brush holder, such as the Wooster lock jaw ($8.90 at Home Depot), which holds a brush at an angle that allows you to paint a straight line. For best results, use this type of ...