DIY Home Improvement Projects Using Spray Paint

Are you thinking about purchasing a new lamp or light fixture? Are you tired of the old wicker furniture you have and think you should replace it? Are you getting ready to purchase all new picture frames for your photos to match your new décor? Before you spend money on a new light fixture, trash your old furniture, or invest in all new picture frames, see if a can of spray paint might be able to save you some money and solve some of your home improvement project dilemmas.

Spray paint has come a long, long way in the last few years. Spray paints still come in a variety of shiny colors that will give you a glossy, even finish, but now you can choose from a matte, frosted, pearlescent, translucent, glow in the dark, metallic, iridescent, or crackle finish. You can also find spray paints that have textured finishes, like hammered metal, webbing, or stone. You can even find spray paint that will turn many surfaces into a chalk board, and one spray paint that will make many surfaces magnetic!

The home decorating possibilities are endless with all the spray paint options available. All over your home there are items that could be updated or beautified with a little TLC from a can of spray paint. Several years ago, shiny brass was a popular finish for light fixtures and other home details. Now, a brushed nickel finish, or a darker metal finish is more popular. Rather than spend hundreds of dollars replacing fixtures, invest a few dollars in a can of spray paint and you will be amazed at the beautiful results.

Outside Applications

Are your out door light fixtures looking weathered and worn? Give them an update with a hammered metal finish spray paint. Turn off the electricity to the lights you will be working with, remove the fixtures. Clean the glass thoroughly as well as all other parts of the fixture. Using a medium to fine grit sandpaper, rough up the surface over the entire fixture. This will allow the paint to adhere better. Using a painter's tape, mask off any areas that should not be painted. Then, following the directions on the can of paint, apply 2-3 coats. Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours, reassemble the light fixture and hang it back up. (Again, make sure the power is turned off at the source before working with the electrical wires.)

Once your light fixtures are re-installed and looking fabulous, why not give the numbers on your address a boost too! Use the same spray paint for a perfect match. Flower boxes can also be spruced up using a nicely colored spray paint. Even your plastic out door furniture will look amazing using the new spray paints made specifically for plastics. Just make sure to follow all the instructions for prepping your surface before you paint, for best results.

In The Kitchen

Indoor light fixtures will look just as great as outdoor fixtures when given a fresh coat with spray paint. You can also take your fabulous garage sale and thrift store "found" items and give them a coordinating look with spray paint. Random napkin rings, candle holders, coasters, and chargers will become a matched set with a little spray paint. Just remember that you should not spray paint items that will come in contact with food.).

Paint an area next to your kitchen phone with chalk board paint and you've got an instant message center. A group of mix and match picture frames can turn into a coordinated art display and flower pots can get a new life with a few coats of spray paint.

In the Bathroom

Don't throw out your old soap dish, lotion dispenser, tissue box cover and waste basket: paint them! Add a few new coordinating towels and you've got an inexpensive bathroom make-over. Old wicker baskets can be painted and will look great holding rolled up towels or a selection of scented soaps, lotions and other bath products.

To make a statement, use wooden letters to spell a word like "peace" or "love". Depending on the look of your bathroom, use a metallic or a special finish spray paint to give the letters a designer look. Then, using a ledge shelf, lean them against the wall, or attach them directly to the wall.

Bedrooms

Inexpensive wood furniture can turn into custom pieces with a little spray paint. This look is great for a kids room, or a home with a casual, country feel. For a child's dresser, paint the drawers a different color than the rest of the dresser. Using stencils and painters tape, mask off areas for fun shapes or designs to be painted.

For a distressed look to simple wood furniture, use crackle paint. In this two step process, first a base paint is applied, and then a topcoat is applied that will crackle to reveal some of the base coat.

The back of a child's bedroom door, masked off and sprayed with several coats of magnetic paint will make a great area for magnet play that any child would love.

Spray paint is an easy and inexpensive way to improve many of the items around your home. The wide variety of paints available makes the do-it-yourself options practically endless.