Painting

3 Household Objects to Upcycle with Paint

Posted on May 26, 2020

You might be yearning for more color in your home. The best and most effective way to upcycle a household item is with a coating of paint. Adding a new color without touching the walls means you don’t have to commit to it year-round. Give some TLC to the old furniture and get a new look in your room. Here are 3 household objects to upcycle with paint.

Refrigerator

Rather than hiding nicks and dings with magnets, clear off your refrigerator and give it new life with paint. While stainless steel is commonplace, if you’re dealing with an older white or black fridge, this could be the perfect opportunity to add some color to the kitchen. Choose a paint that is made for everyday wear and tear from opening, closing, and high touch appliances.

For an interactive option, try chalkboard paint. You can write your grocery list directly on the door. To maintain the magnetic aspects of the refrigerator, clean and lightly sand the finish, then use a magnetic primer under the chalkboard coating. To get the best finish, use a sponge roller to paint on the chalkboard.

Glassware

Boring glassware is out. Use some leftover paint and stencils to add a monogram or symbol to the plain glasses. This can be used to update anything glass in your home. Vases, mason jars, wine glasses, nothing is off the table. Remember that after painting, your glasses should be sealed or cured in the oven to help the paint stay put.

Brass

Brass fixtures are passe. Rather than deal with the old gold, update it with spray paint. This is effective on light fixtures, doorknobs, and other household hardware. This can be done well but requires very specific steps.

The trick to a good outcome is great preparation. Clean the brass very thoroughly with wire wool and a damp, lint-free cloth. Once it’s dry, scrub it again with a degreaser. Because this is a high touch surface, you will need to use a basic primer and let it dry overnight. Finally, you can paint it. Make sure you choose a paint that is made for metal. These are typically enamel, acrylic or oil-based paint. When shopping, make sure it’s a hard-drying paint.

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