So, you already know that shopping at a thrift store offers great ways to save money—but sometimes you overlook certain items because they may look like they need a little TLC. Stop doing this right away! You are passing by some of the most valuable items you can find at thrift stores. Most of the time a big DIY project isn’t even needed for repair—a can of spray paint can do the trick.

That’s easy enough right? If you aren’t friends with spray paint yet, you should be! After trying it out you will never buy a new piece of furniture again once you see how much money you can save by spending just a little bit of time bringing an item back to life. Plus, spray paint is very affordable and can be reused on other projects!

Almost anything can be spray-painted. Here’s an idea of some items that you will find at thrift store that are prime candidates for a spray paint makeover:

• Desks
• Bedposts
• Nightstands
• Lamps
• Chairs
• Tables
• Picture frames
• Mirrors
• Knick-knack type stuff
• Cabinets
• Vases
• Statues

Still feeling a little hesitant and need some direction in your spray painting adventure? Fear not! We’d like to share this blog post we found from a self-proclaimed professional thrift store shopper. We like the sound of that title! It offers some great tips on how to spray paint and what to expect preparation wise. Read this and you’ll be thrift shopping and spray painting everything in no time—oh and adding to your list of ways to save money, too!

Decor on a Dime: Tips and Tricks for Spray Painting Furniture

Posted by LookingFlyOnADime.com

Never underestimate the power of a spray paint can, especially on a thrift store purchase in need of major TLC.

The best thing about this type of project is it requires little skill. Trust me, anyone can do it! My husband and I even spray painted our entertainment center in the only outdoor space we have – our 5 x 12 ft apartment balcony.

Our final product gets rave reviews from family and friends and it was as easy as 1-2-3.

Photo Source: Looking Fly On A Dime

We styled it with some colorful books, candles and silver photo frames {all items you can find at affordable places like dollar stores, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and thrift shops}. I absolutely love silver and mercury accents against red. So, here’s how to do it!

Spray Paint Process

What you’ll need: spray paint, primer, plastic drop cloth, sand paper and a mask.

Use a plastic drop cloth to work on and protect areas from spray. If painting wood, use sandpaper to make a rough surface for the paint to adhere to and make sure to wear your mask. Next, apply a solid coat of primer as instructed on the spray bottle. Now for the fun part, the color! Spray the paint evenly and let dry as directed on the can. That’s it!

Of course, during our process we had a few bumps in the road. But have no fear, I have you covered! Read on for a roundup of tips from our experience.

Sand with Care: Spray paint won’t adhere well to glossy surfaces, so be thorough with your sanding.

Check the Forecast: Don’t spray on a windy day. You’ll waste paint on your clothes and everywhere else except your project.

Don’t Be Lazy with Primer: Focus on getting an even layer of primer in the beginning. Without it, an even final result will be difficult and it’s a pain to fix.

Get Lots of Spray Paint: The spray paint cans cost under $4 each from the hardware store and some come in packs of six for under $25. Get the six pack. We only purchased one for the whole project. {What were we thinking?} We had to make several more trips to the store. Save yourself the trip and a few bucks by planning ahead.

[Continue reading the original article: Décor on a Dime: Tips and Tricks for Spray Painting Furniture]

So what are you waiting for? We know you have the itch to spray paint something after reading that. Right? Head on over to the Arc Store and find something to try out these tips on! You’ll always find ways to save money at the Arc Store!

Related Posts:

4 Creative Ways to Save Money on Your Next DIY Decorating Project

You can also save money shopping at the Arc Stores by downloading the coupon below.