7 Ideas to Use Paint to Restore Worn-Out Things in Your Home
by Traci Stanier
Paint isn’t just for walls. Here’s how to breathe new life into old stuff (like your worn-out vinyl floor).
Did you know that a little paint can perk up carpets, appliances, and even vinyl floors? With proper prep, you can paint just about anything in your house. Here are seven of our favorite house paint ideas to give new life to old things:
#1 Paint Door, Drawer, and Cabinet Hardware
Spray paint can turn builder-grade brass locks and hinges into fashion-forward hardware with an oil-rubbed bronze, pewter, or stainless look.
Insert the door lock’s spindle into a square of Styrofoam, which will hold it upright while you spray around the knob.
Before you paint, insert a tiny strip of painter’s tape into the keyhole to make sure paint doesn’t gunk it up.
Prime with a metallic primer, then paint with metallic spray paint.
#2 Brick Fireplace
When you paint your red brick fireplace, you transform the entire room. But beware! Once you paint brick, it’s nearly impossible to return it to the original brick color. (And you should probably never paint your home’s brick siding).
You can paint brick a single color, or achieve some variation — like the variations in real brick — by sponging on slightly lighter and darker hues.
Paint with a semigloss latex.
Brick is porous and drinks paint, so buy twice what you think you’ll need.
Wear safety glasses and gloves when cleaning anything with a metal brush.