A single can of paint is the fastest makeover hiding in any craft closet, and these 16 spray paint ideas show how far a few dollars can stretch. The best candidates are things already sitting around the house or easy to find cheap: thrift store dishes, dollar store tubs, plain glass vases, wooden bowls and empty wine bottles. Metallic gold shows up often, from dino magnets to a dipped vase, but there are soft sea glass finishes, glossy whites and copper too. One DIY JOY favorite, an IKEA desk turned gold, is mixed in with a video. Every project here follows the same three rules. Shake the can longer than seems necessary, spray in light passes from about a foot away and let each coat dry before the next. Pick a dry, calm day, work outside and lay down a drop cloth bigger than seems needed.
1. DIY Anthropologie Inspired Wanderlust Globe
An Anthropologie wanderlust globe once sold for $128, and this knockoff gets the same look with paint and paint pens. Start with a cheap globe from Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx or the thrift store. Paint the oceans a deep, solid color, then hand letter travel words and little doodles over the continents with paint pens. A shiny gold base and stand finish the high end look. It makes a great desk piece for anyone with a travel bug, and moon, disco and Death Star globes are fun variations on the same idea.
Get the full tutorial at True Blue Me & You.
2. Spray Paint Thrift Store Finds
Spraying thrift store finds is the cheapest way to fake a hutch full of pricey white decor dishes. Shop Goodwill or garage sales for tureens, pedestal bowls and vases, and look past the color to the shape. Glossy white paint with primer built in covers old patterns in about three light coats, flipping each piece between coats so nothing drips. Want a cake stand look? Glue a plate to a candlestick with ceramic adhesive, let it cure fully, then paint the whole thing. These pieces are for display only, not for serving food.
Get the full tutorial at Sincerely, Sara D.
3. DIY Stenciled Lace T-Shirt
A stenciled lace t-shirt turns a plain tee into something that looks boutique bought, in minutes. Lay a piece of lace flat over the shirt, then spray paint right through it so the pattern prints onto the fabric. Mix colors across different shirts, or swap the paint for bleach in a spray bottle for a soft, faded print. The same trick looks great on blue jeans and even tablecloths. It’s a fun group craft too: ask friends to bring a plain shirt and a scrap of lace for a girls’ night in.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
4. DIY Copper Tin Can Planters
DIY copper tin can planters start with empty diced tomato cans about 4 inches across. Peel off the labels and scrub away the glue, then flip the cans upside down and spray about three light coats of metallic copper for a brushed metal finish. For labels, cut 3 by 2 inch tags from thin balsa wood with a craft knife, round the corners and poke out a hole. Give the tags at least two coats of chalkboard paint, rub chalk over them once dry, then tie one to each can with twine.
Get the full tutorial at Homey Oh My.
5. DIY Gold Dipped Vase
A gold dipped vase is the fastest fix for that stash of plain glass vases from past flower deliveries, about 10 to 15 minutes of work. Clean the vase, then wrap painter’s tape around the top half, running a finger along the edge so the line is sealed tight. Spray the bottom with metallic gold in thin layers, since one heavy coat drips. Work outside or somewhere well ventilated. Once it’s dry, peel the tape slowly. Fill it with lilies and greenery, and pull off the lily pollen so it never stains clothes.
Get the full tutorial at Two Twenty One.
6. Glossy Baskets
Glossy baskets prove one old woven hamper can look as good as the pricey painted ones in catalogs. Spray the whole basket with a white paint that has primer built in and let it dry. Tape off any sections that should stay white, then spray the rest with a metallic paint for a high shine finish. Pull the tape once it’s dry. A simple band or a full metallic coat both work, and one bold band often looks cleaner than several thin ones. The finished basket is perfect for throws, hats or socks.
Get the full tutorial at Two Delighted.
7. DIY Faux Coral
DIY faux coral gets the beachy look without buying real coral, which is pricey and harms reefs. Bend thick craft wire into a branching frame. Mix salt dough from 1 cup flour and 1 cup salt, adding water slowly until it feels like clay, and keep it on the dry side so it holds its shape. Cover the wire, then poke holes all over for that coral texture. Bake at 350 degrees for about half an hour, let it cool, then finish with spray paint in coral, turquoise or white.
Get the full tutorial at All Things with Purpose.
8. DIY Spray Painted Wine Bottles
Spray painted wine bottles turn empties into fall vases in an afternoon. Gather clean bottles, painter’s tape, a few rubber bands and Rust-Oleum metallic gold. Paint one bottle solid gold, tape another in thick stripes and wrap rubber bands around a third for skinny stripes. Press tape edges down with a credit card so no paint sneaks under, shake the can a full two minutes and test spray first. Use light coats, starting the spray off the bottle and sweeping across. Let them dry 24 hours, then fill with seasonal stems.
Get the full tutorial at Homey Oh My.
9. DIY Mini Galvanized Tubs
DIY mini galvanized tubs start as bright plastic tubs from the dollar store. A metallic spray paint with a hammered texture gives them the look of real galvanized metal. Spray one coat and let it dry overnight, then add a second coat and give it another night. That’s the whole project. For backyard barbecues, fill a tub halfway with water and top it off with ice to make a slurry, then add the sodas. The cans and bottles chill in just a few minutes, and each guest can have a little bucket.
Get the full tutorial at The TipToe Fairy.
10. DIY Dinosaur Serving Dish
A DIY dinosaur serving dish is a playful party piece made from a sturdy plastic toy and a small melamine plate. Saw the dinosaur’s head off just above the shoulders with a level cut and sand the edges. Lightly sand the plate where it will attach, glue plate to body and let it cure 24 hours. Glue the head on top, centered, and cure another day. Spray paint from every angle in thin coats about 20 minutes apart. Line the plate with parchment paper, since food shouldn’t touch the paint.
Get the full tutorial at Hostess with the Mostess.
11. $40 IKEA Desk Idea
A $40 IKEA desk becomes a glam vanity or workspace with gold spray paint and marble contact paper. Any simple metal desk with a shelf works. Spray the frame in a shiny gold, such as Krylon 24 karat, in light even coats and let it dry fully. Cut marble contact paper to fit the shelf and smooth it on from one edge to keep bubbles out. The finished piece looks like an old Hollywood dressing table that cost many times more. Leftover gold paint? A yard sale chair can be painted to match.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
12. Krylon Sea Glass Vases
Krylon Sea Glass spray paint makes plain glass look like frosted beach glass in a few coats. It sprays like regular paint but leaves a sheer, softly tinted finish. Gather two clear vases and a mason jar, then apply three to four coats, letting each one dry a minute or two before the next. Fewer coats keep it translucent, while more coats build a frostier, less sheer look. The Sea Foam shade has a pretty coastal green tint that suits bathrooms, beach houses and spring tables.
Get the full tutorial at Craft Box Girls.
13. DIY Dino Magnets
DIY dino magnets turn a tube of miniature plastic dinosaurs into colorful little gifts. Grab the toys from a hobby store, plus spray primer, spray paint, super glue or hot glue and small craft magnets. Drilling a small notch in each toy gives the magnet a neat spot to sit, though it’s optional. Prime the dinosaurs, then spray them in colors like teal and gold. A dab of glue holds each magnet in place. Stronger magnets grip the fridge better, and sea creature miniatures make a fun mix.
Get the full tutorial at Yellow Brick Home.
14. DIY Painted Glass Vase
DIY painted glass vases give dollar store glass a custom color to match any room. Gather a few clear vases in different shapes and sizes, which look better grouped than a matching set. Spray the outside only, so the paint holds up when water goes inside, and plan on about three coats for full coverage. High gloss paint is the secret, since it reflects light and makes the glass look like ceramic, while satin looks flat. Krylon covered best of the brands tried. Wash them gently by hand to keep the finish.
Get the full tutorial at Creative Cain Cabin.
15. Gold Painted Wood Bowls
Gold painted wood bowls fake the look of gold lined ceramic for a dollar or two per bowl. Thrift stores are full of plain wooden bowls, so pick ones with pretty curves. Clean them well, then spray on a couple of coats of flat white spray paint, which makes the wood read as unglazed ceramic. Once dry, brush liquid leaf over the inside for a bright gold lining with real punch. The finished bowls are lovely for jewelry on a nightstand, keys by the door or rings by the kitchen sink.
Get the full tutorial at Endlessly Inspired.
16. Spray Painted Fake Flowers
Spray painted fake flowers solve the problem of faux blooms that come in all the wrong colors. Regular spray paint works fine, so there’s no need for special floral paint. Dust the flowers or wipe them with a damp paper towel, pull off leaves you don’t want and tape the stems to keep them green. Outside on poster board, cover the petals with a base color in several slow, light coats, about 15 to 20 minutes apart, flipping as you go. Then spritz a second color randomly for highlights and let them air out for a few hours.
Get the full tutorial at DIY Candy.
