Cover Old Toys With Paint To Create Vintage-Inspired Decor Gems

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Sometimes finding that perfect decor accent means rolling up your sleeves and creating it yourself. You could spend a pretty penny on a real brass animal figurine that perfectly matches your interior decor. Or you can save some cash and DIY your own with a thrifted children's toy. Metallic gold paint can turn an old animal figure into a classic decor gem that looks like it costs much more.

This is an easy project that yields beautiful results. So it's no surprise that it's popular with online crafters who have shown off transformed horses, birds, owls, and rabbits. The golden hue takes the toys from playful to sleek decorative accents for a bookshelf, an entryway table, or anywhere else you could use some character. Plus, brass is one of those timeless metals that can mix and match with many decor styles. So, the gilded-looking figurines can add a shiny pop to a wide variety of spaces at a low cost.

This project starts with browsing the thrift store toy aisles for the perfectly-sized companion. Which matches your style? Horses, elephants, lions, tigers, and bears (oh my) are popular choices. Creatures like dragons, gargoyles, or unicorns may also be found in the toy aisle if you're looking for something with a more mythological edge. This is a great option to create sophisticated seasonal decor as well. Grab some deer for the winter holidays or a handful of bunnies to welcome spring.

A base color will give your new decor piece an even surface for the metallic paint to adhere to. It will also cover up any bold color or markings that could show through. Look for a matte black enamel to cover the surface, like this FolkArt Acrylic Craft Paint for Plastic. If the label does not say it's formulated for plastic, it may chip or peel over time. Paint your figure, and allow it to dry completely before adding the metallic color. Coatings, such as Rub n' Buff Metallic Finish, come in different shades of gold and can be polished to a higher sheen if desired.

If hand painting isn't your thing, try using a spray paint to get the same shine for an even coating. Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint can add high-shine gold to the project, and it's quick for a small surface like a toy animal. Use precaution with spray paint (keep the space ventilated) and cover work surfaces before starting. Once dry, you have an antique-looking, one-of-a-kind creation ready to show off on your shelves.