Spray paint makeovers are one of my favorite inexpensive ways to transform something I already own—or rescue a thrifted piece that has the right shape but the wrong finish. A simple coat of paint can make plastic look like aged brass, turn ordinary silver metal into warm copper or give a dated piece an entirely different personality.
Over the years, I’ve spray painted everything from small accessories and planters to parts of furniture. Some projects needed only one color, while others got their character from several metallic finishes layered together. None of them required an enormous investment or professional equipment—just a little paint, patience and a willingness to experiment.
Here are a few things I’ve simply spray painted to get the look I wanted. Some of these are items I already had around the house. A red enamel utensil holder becomes a gold vintage and antique pestle holder. A silver hammered bucket becomes copper and a perfect place to store extra blankets. A gray plastic planter turns antique brass. You don’t have to spend hundreds on real copper or warm metal finishes to achieve the look you want. Nowadays spray paint comes on a variety of colors, finishes and textures.
The looks below were achieved by layering paint. For instance, the copper blanket bucket/holder, I sprayed black first and let it dry, then copper and let it dry, then oil rubbed bronze, and so on until the desired look was achieved. You can’t mess it up – just add more paint!
A Few of My Favorite Spray Paint Makeovers
A kitchen utensil holder that was red enamelware received a nice, aged brass finish.
A gray plastic planter turned into an antique brass finish.
This silver hammered bucket becomes lovely in aged copper.
I would love to tell you every project begins with an elaborate preparation process, but it usually doesn’t. Most of the time, I wipe the piece clean, make sure it is completely dry and start spraying. That’s it.
Of course, a little common sense dictates that if something is greasy, rusty, peeling or especially glossy, it may need a better cleaning, light sanding or primer first. A piece that will live outdoors or receive frequent handling may also need more preparation than a decorative object sitting quietly on a shelf. Always check the directions on the particular paint you’re using and make sure it is suitable for the surface.
When it is time to paint, work outdoors or in a properly ventilated area and protect the surrounding surface. Several light passes are much less likely to drip than one heavy coat. Let each layer dry before deciding whether it needs another coat—or an entirely different color layered over it.
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