Design on a Budget Part Funf (5): All You Need Is Paint!

Seeing beyond the junk is key for cheap design ideas. Whether you are pulling stuff out of dumpsters or shopping at a thrift store you have to see what could be. We've all seen those items that make us giggle, who in their right mind would have ever EVER used that in their home, or buy that?! But changing it into something you would use is easier than you'd think.


Paint it. That's it.  You may already have some great things in your house that could be repurposed by giving them a little tlc, and paint. 


This is a clock that my husband has had forever. It used to have a base and before it was painted it was just stained wood. I removed it's base, painted it green, because again, I am loving green right now, and hung it in our bathroom. Its still kinda ugly, but I needed a clock in there. 

I found this little candle holder in a thrift store. 

It's plastic, and originally had that cheap gold finish on it. 

It was super cheap, and I knew I could paint it so I bought it and did just that.

 I left a little gold peaking through just to give it a vintage feel. 

Here's something I saved from the dump. I'm not sure what it's original purpose was, maybe a buffet or old entertainment center. I brought it home, removed the sliding doors to create the open shelves, put new legs on it, painted it, and replaced the hardware. Sure it took some work, but the piece was free and I already had the paint. It cost me $8 for the legs, which I found on clearance at Lowes and $5 for the hardware, which was found on clearance at Target! 

And here's a cabinet I just bought at a random sale downtown that some hoarder was having. He originally wanted $25 for it, but my husband talked him down to $5! 

It really was only worth that. 

Before

After

So next time you are in the market for a new piece of furniture or some decorating elements remember to look at what could be with just some elbow grease and paint! It's cheap, relatively easy, and you'll have a custom piece that's all your own!
Painting is also a quick easy way to update a room. Even if you just repaint your walls white. They will look clean and fresh, and make a big difference!  I will eventually post my living room transformation, but that means I have to clean, oh, and finish painting....