Weekend DIYs

DIY Weekend: Save with spray paint

If your current coffee table is covered in water rings, stains, knicks and scratches, a new coat of paint will cover those flaws beautifully. Choose a bright hue, like this orange tabletop, to add a splash of color to a plain living room. Or use a neutral, such as black or brown, to tone-down and tie-together your existing furniture.

USE: For a high-gloss shine, finish your table top with this Crystal Clear acrylic spray from Krylon. Don't worry about cups leaving stains anymore, this moisture-resistant spray will add a sleek and modern sheen to your table.

New lamps can be expensive to replace, but spray paint can easily give your lamp base a new look without splurging on a new one. It's important to keep the spray paint away from anything electrical, so make sure you use painter's tape to cover the electrical cord and the head of the lamp.

USE: Krylon H20 Latex spray paint for minimal fumes and an eco-friendly option that contributes 55 percent less smog than solvent-based spray paints.

We love these paper lanterns from IKEA―starting at only $4! Although they only come in white, applying a quick coat of spray paint can easily add a burst of color in any room. Purchase several sizes and use different colors to create a vivid arrangement.

USE: An indoor semi-transparent spray paint like Krylon Acrylic Crystal Color. This will give the paper lantern an opaque stain-like finish and you will only need to apply one light and even coat.

After a few years of life outdoors, most wooden and metal furniture will be covered in water stains and rust. If your outdoor furniture has seen better days, a bright coat of paint will cover up those imperfections and have it looking like new.

USE: To prevent further rust, use this Krylon Rust Tough® Primer before applying your color coat.

Terracotta pots are inexpensive containers for beautiful blooms. Add even more brightness to the mix by giving those rust-orange pots a new hue. For a beautiful look, pick a paint color that complements your flower.

USE: For this project, try using Krylon Indoor/Outdoor spray paint. It comes in a variety of colors and has a soft glossy finish.

If you yearn for a specific candle color, but unfortunately have little luck finding that hue, you can easily buy plain white candles and spray paint the sides to achieve your desired color. Make sure to choose a candle with a wide base and a flat surface on top. You will need to cover the top with painters tape and spray the candle upside down to make sure the paint will not get near the wick or any part of the candle that will be exposed to a flame.

USE: For safety, use a water-based non-flammable spray paint like Rust-Oleum Aqua.

Collect items from nature to craft together a display for any part of your home. Pinecones can be gathered for a festive centerpiece. Give them a light coat of golden metallic spray paint for a beautiful shimmer on your tabletop. Branches and vines can also be gathered right from your backyard and arranged in a vase for display. One coat will be sufficient for the shimmering look you desire.

USE: Krylon Metallics has a variety of metallic finishes to choose from for your project.

Transform your outdated brass hardware into new fixtures with some modern shine. Hardware is expensive to replace, so this is an inexpensive alternative to give your kitchen cabinets a modern look. It's best to stick with neutral or metallic colors for this project like black, brown, silver or gold.

USE: Always use a primer for cabinet hardware. For the best long-lasting results, use an oil-based primer and an oil-based paint. Try a hammered finish spray paint, like this one from Rust-Oleum, for a textured finish.

Give your tabletop serving tray a new look. Choose a funky color like teal or sunshine yellow for a modern twist on your table. Also, many aluminum platters can easily be faked for the real thing. We love the intricate design of this platter, but why try to pass it off for the real thing when you can give this silver tray a bright finish.

USE: A satin spray, like this one from Rust-Oleum to get a bright and colorful finish.

Always use spray paint outside.

Use slow even strokes and remember to be patient. For an even finish, you will need to make several coats and give plenty of time inbetween to dry.

Check the weather forecast to make sure there are no rain showers expected. If the weather is compromising your plans, spray paint your items on a canvas cloth, and carefully drag the cloth to a covered area.

Give items plenty of time to dry outdoors to make sure the fumes from the spray paint have plenty of time to air out.