Looking to decorate on a budget? Why not use spray paint? Here are easy tips for spray painting curtain rods and other DIYs.
Pottery, home decor, shoes—these are just some of the things you can paint with spray paint. Find out more about spray paint and its uses here.
If I were a pitcher—this is what I would want to be when I grew up.
Nothing too fancy for me.
Just rescue me from the thrift store, paint me white, fill me with flowers and find some friends.
I think this is what every neglected, overlooked, under-appreciated pitcher covered in teddy bears and ivy leaves found in thrift stores everywhere truly wants to be.
You know.
You’ve seen them before sitting over by the plastic fruit and the unfinished paint by numbers.
Waiting.
Waiting for greatness.
And in amazing-decorate-your-house-on-a-dime-and-have-money-left-over-for-a-Carribean-cruise news, there are SO MANY MORE THINGS that pitchers that can be transformed with spray paint. So put on your shopping eyes and get ready to go down the aisles of your home with a cart.
Here are 9 things you can transform with spray paint.
1. Tips for spray painting curtain rods
If you have ever priced brass (or gold) curtain rods then you understand what I am talking about.
Gold curtain rods like these are so on trend right now.
Trendy, trendering, trendineista.
But the price tag? YIKES. Whhhhhhhy gold curtain rod people? Why the cost? We have children to take through the McDonald’s drive-through and put through college.
So I bought these curtain rods in the scratch and dent section of the store and spray-painted them gold.
Here are tips for spray painting curtain rods.
Painting curtain rods can be a great way to add a fresh new look to any room, but the process of painting them can be tricky. The best approach is to follow these five steps that help get a smooth, polished surface.
- Clean the curtain rod surface thoroughly with soap and water.
- Lightly scuff the surface with 220-grit sandpaper.
- Prime the rod with a spray primer and let it dry completely before painting it with the color of spray paint that works with your decor (I used gold spray paint).
- You want to apply several thin coats of paint instead of one thick coat for an even finish.
- You can use a sealer once the final coat is dry to protect against scratches or fading over time.
You can see my spray painted curtain rods in the room here.
2. curtain rings and finials
And why stop with spray painting curtain rods?
In my quest for shopping my house and finding things you can transform with spray paint?
I spray-painted the finials, too.
You can also spray paint the clip-on rings that make no-sew curtains easier to put on than your shoes.
(total aside: if you are looking at curtains and need a simple, budget way to line them? Here’s my best tip.)
3. door hardware
You can actually spray paint door anything.
At this moment, as my almost-about-to-be-purple-fingernails are flying across the keyboard, my husband is spray painting the doorknob to our outdoor storage closet.
I’ve spray painted door knockers like this one.
And door handles.
And hinges.
And even cabinet hardware before.
4. baskets
Never.
I repeat never.
Let the random color of a basket at a yard sale come between you and a purchase.
Baskets are one of the easiest things to spray paint.
And if you want to take it to the Ph.D. level, why not add numbers?
Here’s a simple tutorial on how to spray paint numbers on a basket.
5. planters
This is the time of year when you head out to the outside of your house and avert your eyes.
Somehow.
Someway.
All the planters and outside accessories look like they’ve been partying hard over the winter. You can see their wrinkles and their chips and their messy hair buns.
Do not go with your initial thought and throw them out. Instead? Add them to the list of things you can transform with spray paint. They’ll look like they are brand new after you spray paint them.
You can see how I made these monogrammed planters here.
6. wreaths
Yes.
In addition to spray painting curtain rods and other home decor items, you can also spray paint wreaths.
Here’s one that I spray-painted gold.
You can spray paint twigs and branches, too.
I know, right?
Start shopping the attic now for things you can transform with spray paint, too.
7. Wall art
When I bought this from the store?
It was silver.
I almost tossed it because it didn’t really fit the space anymore.
But add a can of spray paint?
And now?
It looks like contemporary art.
8. accessories
These were pink and orange when I bought them years ago from Hobby Lobby.
And then the other day I was in Hobby Lobby and saw almost the EXACT same thing except it was brass.
I literally ran home and grabbed the spray paint.
This piece went from the back of the theater to the front row.
9. ceramics
And now we are back where we started. After spray painting curtain rods and wreaths and accessories and all the things? We are back at the beginning with our lonely pitcher sitting over by the plastic fruit and the unfinished paint by numbers.
If you need a step-by-step on the best way to spray paint and some spray painting tips, you can see how I transformed it here.
I wrote this post because—truth?
As someone who has seen blue eyeshadow and stirrup pants make a re-appearance…
…there is one universal truth when it comes to design.
What’s old is always new again.
It comes back around and it looks so fresh and we toss the newer old out and add the older old again.
You don’t have to spend all that money to stay on trend.
Just grab your older old home decor and reach for the spray paint.
Yes!! A coat of paint can make all the difference! I am trying to start seeing things for their potential instead of their current state. Lol!! Thanks for all of these tips! I love your blog so much I added one of your books to my Amazon cart to be purchased next time I have a cartful! Have a great day, KariAnne!
Just in time! I've been moaning about the cost of gold curtain rods. (Why, are they so expensive, when you can't even give them away when you're done with them?) Will spray paint my black ones this weekend, thanks to you! Need to go read your tips, though, because I'm a little concerned about chipping. . .
Years ago when I took down my wooden closet rods, I bought some finials spray painted everything gold and used them for curtain rods. I spray painted a set of mismatched dining chairs flat black then used furniture wax over them for protection. Much cheaper than many of the paints on the market today.
Can you make my older self new again with some spray paint? I'd really appreciate it. Wait! That would make 10 things. I'd be a 10! Watch out Bo Derek (totally not a 10 in my book). Love all your ideas!
This was a great inspiration! Thank you!
Yippie yay for spray paint! I also have used it for just about everything. Some things like cabinet knobs and pulls don't hold up as well for me. If you or anyone has any tips on that I would love to hear!
Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have spray painted almost everything too-including seed heads from my chive plants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep they made excellent Christmas decorations and are now out in anticipation of 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bet you own a lot of Oops!!! Lol (Or at least another good spray paint remover!!!) For your hands and feet and overspray areas and...
I spray painted my navy cantilever patio umbrella that had faded. They are so pricey to purchase I thought it would be worth a try and it turned out GREAT! I will continue to do it to all my umbrellas if the mechanics still work good. I also sprayed some outdoor pillows that had faded. They turned out good but are a bit “stiffer”.
Hey, I have been thinking about spray painting my patio umbrella too- so it worked great for you? Now I have the courage to give it a try, Thanks.
Could you please share what kind of paint you used on your umbrella. Mine is so faded, but otherwise in perfect condition.
I just bought a can of spray paint today to use on some outdoor flower pots and now I have a few more ideas, thank you!!
This post is so like me! My mom laughs because I'm always saying, 'Just spray paint it!" The perfect way to find the perfect piece for your home!
Hi, What brass spray paint brand and color do you recommend for an exterior door handle that has seen better days? Thanks
You have given me some ideas. Thank you!
I love this! You already have me thinking about things I can paint today! What's your go-to gold spray paint? I've found it's a bit tricky to find one that's just perfect. Please share your fave gold. Thanks!
I've seen most all of these tips on your blog before, but today, I think I'm going to actutally buy some spray paint and get to work on some of the accessories and picture frames in my bookshelf that look a little tired! Thanks, friend!!
Am cracking up at the "older old" . It's true girl! It is true!!!!!
"Say hello to my little friend" - spray paint!! Love this!!! xoxo
Squeeeeee!!!! I LOVE every single thing about this post. Especially the part "everything old is new again"! I mean, I know you were referring to the revolving door of décor, but hey, I think it could apply to a 29 (again) year old like me!!! Truly...this was such a fun post! Thank you for ALWAYS being an inspiration KariAnne, forever and ever. AMEN. I want to be just like you when I grow up!