Hands up if you have tins of leftover paint taking up space in your shed? Well, it might be time to put them to good use. Don’t be tempted to throw the paint away – even if you think you’ll have no further use for those leftover tins, there really are lots of clever ways to use up what you have left. As well as helping to freshen up your home and property, making use of leftover paint that would otherwise be gathering dust will give you much-needed space in your shed and reduce landfill too.
How to store leftover paint
“Good quality paint can last years if stored correctly,” says Resene paint expert Jay Sharples. Ensure lids are on firmly when packing them away to make sure the paint inside doesn’t dry out, and store paint tins off concrete floors if you can as they tend to rust more quickly if they get wet.
If you’re unsure about whether your paint is still good to use, you can take it into your local Resene ColorShop and ask one of the expert staff to check it.
“The bonus there being, if the paint is no good, you’re in the best place to get some fresh paint,” says Jay. “If you store paint on shelving, make sure there are no sharp objects on the shelf before putting the paint down. It sounds obvious but you’d be surprised at how many people bring pails of paint back into the shop with punctured holes in the bottom!”
Get creative
Jay says there are many clever ways to use up leftover paint – freshening up existing paintwork, giving your home a creative colour injection with feature walls and adding flair to surrounds and furniture. But it’s important however to check your leftover paint is suitable for your next DIY project. Interior paint should only be used inside, and exterior paint is best used outdoors.
Check out these clever ideas for those tins of paint taking up space in your shed:
- Is your kitchen or laundry looking a little dated? Existing timber cabinetry can be given an instant makeover using leftover paint. Don’t be afraid of adding colour – a fresh and bold paint job can make a kitchen or laundry feel refreshed and updated without the cost of new cabinets.
- Think outdoor jobs. Leftover paint can be used for repainting the garage door or giving the old shed a freshen-up. Consider painting the inside of shed doors and shelving inside for a burst of colour, too.
- With a little creativity, you can use leftover paint to turn around any room in your home. If you have a lot of white, creams or beige in your living areas, consider a feature wall – either in a bold or bright colour, or a deep hue. Features walls add interest and energy to a room without being overwhelming.
- Fireplaces look great painted in an accent colour. Depending on how much paint you have to hand, you can either paint the entire fireplace or concentrate just on the mantel.
- Don’t forget those testpots gathering dust, too. They are great for using to touch up scuffed paint areas or smaller jobs like doors and window frames. Or use them to create a DIY artwork that will complement your colour palette.
