What can you spray paint? Just about anything!
Yes, you can (almost always) use spray paint on that item you’re wondering about.
Tis the season for spray painting — if you haven’t attempted this easy do-it-yourself paint process, this is the perfect time to get outside and give it a try!
Transformations with this paint are great DIY projects for anyone who wants a quick and easy makeover. And the available spray paint color options are endless…so it’s not hard to find the perfect tone for your project.
Bottom line is you’ll want to prep your item well (either a good cleaning or a light sanding) and use numerous light coats of paint instead of fewer heavy ones. This will ensure the smoothest finish.
Always use these aerosol paints in a well-ventilated area! Outside is ideal.
I’ve gathered a long list of the types of items and finishes that can be spray painted, and my review of how each one holds up over time. Let’s start with my favorite!
This post has been updated with new content in June 2026.
1. Metal surfaces
I’m talking about this first because I think it’s the easiest to paint and holds up incredibly well over time. (Usually.) Also, I rarely use a spray primer on metal surfaces because it’s just not needed as much.
Unfortunately over time, our most used handles were getting worn and I had to repaint a few a couple of times. I still think this method could work in a powder room or mud room where hardware may not be touched as often.
Spray painting metal light fixtures is one of my favorite ways to update a space! I’ve sprayed so many fixtures over the years and it’s such an easy and quick way to change them up.
Most recently, I gave this recessed light converter in our foyer a quick makeover to brighten it up:
The brass tone is so much prettier than the black original.
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As much as I’ve grown to love a true brass decor, there are still some items (like that light) that just look dated and washed out with that metal tone. The black spray paint gave that fixture new life!
But the best transformation I’ve ever done with spray paint was actually an outdoor project.
You really have to see the before to appreciate them! These still looked great YEARS later. I’ve also painted outdoor planters that have held up wonderfully.
Light fixtures are a great beginner project if you’re new to spray painting because they’re up and out of the way, so the finish doesn’t have to be perfect. 😉
And they are rarely touched, so the painted finish will stay beautiful for a long time!
These will get some scratches over time, but it’s minimal. I think because floor vents are out of the way and people rarely step on them. The majority of scratches are from vacuums.
Painting your floor registers seems like a little thing, but they really look SO much better in a richer color, or one that matches your flooring.
And of course, metal decor like candle sticks or other decorative objects are fair game as well. These are more great items to spray since most decor won’t be handled a lot.
They were black and I painted them silver, as utensils should be. 😉
2. Wood objects
Spray painting home decor made of wood can sometimes take a little more prep work, but it’s still an easy update that makes a huge difference!
I absolutely LOVED that project! It was perfect when our son was little because we could roll it around anywhere and keep the supplies corralled.
Have you ever priced out those little tables? They’re only big enough for a drink or a book, but are SO expensive! This Goodwill find made this table around $10 total.
The great thing about spray painting decor is that you can easily redo it over the years with your changing style. And reusing something you already have is so worthwhile!
3. Plastic items
Spray paint holds up well on a lot of plastic pieces, but it depends on how you use them.
I do NOT recommend spray painting kid’s toys that may go into little mouths, but I’ve seen people spray faded outdoor toys (like slides and ride ons) with great success!
It turned out so beautiful, I plan to redo this look this season:
Painting seasonal decor is such an inexpensive way to change up your decor year to year.
I’ve painted more plastic pumpkins than I can count!:
I’ve also used spray paint to change up cheap Halloween decor from the dollar store — a new metallic finish will elevate the look of almost anything!
4. Ceramic decor
As far as I can remember, I’ve only spray painted ceramics twice. One was a success and one was a fail — I think it comes down to how much you handle the item.
Those held up great and I never had an issue with the finish, even after lightly cleaning them.
I was so excited at how well it turned out, but the results were fleeting. It started flaking pretty quickly, even with good prep and layers of primer.
Who knows? If it’s an item you don’t have an attachment to, go ahead and try it! I have a couple vases I may try it on again.
5. Spray painting furniture
I’ve lost track of how many pieces of furniture I’ve painted over the years! I’ve done some by hand with a roller and brush, some with a paint sprayer and quite a few with cans of spray paint.
A few years back I wanted to break up all of the light wood in our dining room, so I spray painted our light wood chairs black. Since then I’ve changed most of the furniture to a darker tone, but the black dining chairs still look great:
And I’m so glad I did! They are used daily and have held up wonderfully. I haven’t needed to touch them up at all, and any slight imperfections or natural wear looks like it’s meant to be that way.
This bamboo table was a mess when I found it at a Habitat store — but a few tweaks and some black spray paint brought it back to life!
Using spray paint instead of latex is especially nice with furniture like this one that has crooks and crevices. No need to get into all of those detailed areas with a brush.
When picking out your paint sheen, keep in mind the look you want.
High-gloss and semi-gloss are the shiniest of the spray paints, and are more reflective. Matte or satin have a lower sheen and are less shiny.
If your item has a lot of imperfections, a lower sheen is your best bet. If it’s shiny and/or smooth, you can get away with a glossy sheen.
I think I covered all of the types of surfaces! 😁 I hope you find this to be a helpful guide when it comes to spray painting different objects around your home.
