When you’re repainting, it can be hard to estimate exactly how much paint you’ll need for each room. So if you just redecorated your home, you likely have some half-empty paint cans you couldn’t use up. Instead of throwing them away, check out these tips on how to make the most of leftover paint.
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Four Ways To Make the Most of Leftover Paint
Give Your Furniture a Facelift
Painting your furniture the same color as your walls can help give your home a more cohesive look. Make the most of your leftover paint by using it to update old wooden tables, chairs, headboards, desks, and bookcases.
If you don’t have enough paint to cover an entire piece of furniture, you can still add a pop of color here and there. Try repainting the legs of chairs, tables, and desks to give them a subtle upgrade. You can also repaint the top of a table or desk to refresh it and cover up scratches.
Turn It Into Chalkboard Paint
Did you know that any can of paint can be turned into chalkboard paint? Just mix one tablespoon of water and two tablespoons of plaster into three tablespoons of paint. This easy recipe can be scaled up if you have more leftover paint on hand, but small amounts work too.
Chalkboard paint looks great on furniture, walls, and ceilings, especially in children’s rooms. But it also works well in the kitchen. You can use it to paint the inside or outside of your cabinet doors so you have a place to write your grocery list. You can even cover an outdated fridge in chalkboard paint to transform it into a fun conversation piece.
Create a Fun Accent Wall
Another way to make the most of leftover paint is to create fun designs on your walls. Try experimenting with stencils from the craft store. They usually have letter stencils you can use to spell out sayings like “bless this home” or your family’s last name. You can also pick up small decorative stencils like flowers or stars to add some extra flair to your design.
If you don’t want to spend money on stencils, try freehanding your design. You don’t have to be an artist to create a beautiful abstract mural by painting dots or swirls on one of your walls.
Store It For Later
If you can’t decide what to do with leftover paint, it may be a good idea to simply store it for later. Walls can get scratched and stained and may need to be touched up in the future.
When stored correctly, paint can last for years even after it’s been opened. Simply cover the top of the can with a piece of plastic wrap and tap the lid on with a hammer. Then store your paint cans in a cool, dark place like a utility closet or basement.
Throwing away paint is like flushing your hard-earned money down the drain. Instead of tossing it, try out one of these projects to make the most of your leftover paint and add extra flair to your home.
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Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.
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