Quick Spray Paint Projects for Spring

by GraceAnn Simoni

Here’s a speedy DIY decor update from Contributor GraceAnn Simoni, Interior Redesign and Staging Specialist and Instructor from the Chicagoland area. GraceAnn shares budget tips and advice for decorating with your existing furniture and accessories.

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Spring and good weather are finally here. The sun
is shining and the birds are singing outside my
office window.

This means I will again get out the spray paint to update several more items in and outside my house.
Quick redecorating!

Here are just a few of my projects:

Outdoors:

Last spring my plastic deck rail planters were looking rather tired and faded. Since they were still sound and in good shape, I laid a drop cloth on the ground and spray painted them a terra cotta color to match my deck. They look brand new and held up well through the winter.
This year I plan to give all my garden ornaments and plant hangers a ‘spray’!

Indoors:
I have spray painted old brass fixtures to update them for very little cost. Here’s how:

Sand lightly if they have a shiny finish.
A coat of metal primer will help with adhesion. Then, the color of your choice! I like the oiled bronze look for now.

Chandeliers are difficult to spray evenly if lying on the ground, so I have discovered a solution. Your local moving truck rental company sells ‘Wardrobe’ boxes (Uline is an online source). They are large and contain a metal bar that runs across the top (to
hang clothes).

Simply drill a hole in the bar to mount a swivel hook (available at the hardware store). This will allow the chandelier to spin and help to apply the paint evenly. Spin the fixture and spray with primer and then several light coats of paint. Spraying light coats will keep the paint from dripping and will dry much faster. Image courtesy of Uline.

Another solution I found to help with spraying cabinet knobs, is to mount the knobs on a 1″ x 2″ or larger board so that the knobs stand upright. This makes it easier and avoids using your fingers to turn the knobs for even coverage. They will dry evenly as well.
I plan to use this same idea this spring when I update my shiny brass curtain rods. So spray away that dated look!!
Here’s a great How-to from Krylon for giving your drapery hardware a fresh look.