Mini Blind Makeover With Spray Paint And Lace
Mini Blind Makeover with Spray Paint & Lace
I’m super excited to be sharing today’s project with you… my mini blind makeover with spray paint and lace.
When it comes to transforming anything lickety split spray paint is always my go to.
But for my window blinds I really needed to take them even further than where spray paint alone could take them.
I really wanted to punch up the fearless fun and funky factor.
Having a spray paint can in my hand always makes me feel decoratively powerful.
Like my home is my decorative oyster, and anything is decoratively possible.
And you know what? It totally is.
Here are the mini blinds that I found at a big box store. I was looking for something cheap and practical and I loved that they were cordless. No worries about the cats playing with or getting tangled in them.
They do their privacy job very nicely but for me they’re kind of… well actually… a whole lotta boring.
Sorry, but I just had to say it.
If you love the blinds white that’s awesome, but I’m a color-loving girl through and through and I need it to keep me sane… especially during our long, cold, and snowy winters.
Years ago, way before this blog was even a glint in my decorating eye, I spray painted a table using a thrifted lace curtain as a stencil.
So I thought… why not try that with my mini blinds?
How hard could it be?
Securing the mini-blind for its makeover
I hammered a few nails between the top rail and the blind slats so I could pull the blind all the way out while it was lying down.
Like this.
Then came the most tedious part of this project, making sure the slats were where I wanted them to be… somewhat evenly laid out.
They will move on you if you turn your back on them.
I had to give them a good talking to. 🙂
Spray Painting the Mini Blind using Lace Tablecloth
Once all the slats were behaving themselves I laid my $1 thrifted lace tablecloth across the mini blind.
I had already done one of my mini blinds in this pretty aqua blue, but it was a sunnier day and the pictures were terrible.
But, I was able to get all three blinds done with this one tablecloth before it got too stiff from the paint.
Let the lace, or whatever you use, dry before using it on another blind so you don’t get wet paint on it.
This one is getting a berry pink treatment.
The most important thing about spray painting through lace is to always hold the can directly above where you’re painting.
Don’t spray paint from the side. If you do you risk paint getting beneath the pattern that you’re trying to stencil.
For most spray painting projects I do two or three light coats, but because I’m using the lace as a stencil here one light coat is all that’s needed.
If you’re feeling unsure about your technique you can do a test with a spare piece of lace over a small piece of wood or even an old sheet. Whatever you have, just so you can get the hang of the spray painting.
Here’s my mini blind all spray painted.
I quickly removed the lace tablecloth because you don’t want it to dry on your blind, which I left to dry for about 30 minutes.
One thing to keep in mind is that no matter how careful you are when spray painting your mini blind your pattern is not going to be perfect.
And, quite honestly, it’s not supposed to be.
This is a project where you have to be fearless and just go for it… and you don’t stress out about it even one little bit.
Spray Painting the Top & Bottom Rails
After my blind was dry I used a piece of cardboard to protect it so I could spray paint the top rail.
And I did the same for the bottom rail.
That’s all there is to it.
Befores & Afters of Spray Painted Mini Blinds
Here’s one living room window before.
And here it is all pink and delicious.
My pattern kind of reminds me of tie-dye without the different colors.
This mini blind makeover with spray paint is an easy way to give blinds some real personality using whatever color you love with any lace curtain or tablecloth pattern.
Just please don’t use something that has sentimental or monetary value. This is a project meant for a cheap thrift store piece.
So here’s the before of the front living room window above my decoupaged floral tablecloth desk.
And here it is now with its happy green makeover.
I don’t have a before picture of this window beside my pink china cabinet, but here’s the aqua blue after.
Now before you go ahead and think that I’ve totally lost my decorating marbles I can assure you that there are reasons for the method of the different color madness.
The first reason for the 3 colors is that I’ve come to know myself well, and I get bored over time and need change. I can easily move these blinds around for a whole new look in the living room.
The second reason is that I’m going to attempt to make my own curtains. Say what?
Oh yes, this non-sewer is going to make repurposed curtains. Out of what? Sorry I can’t say because it’s a secret.
When they’re done all the colors of my living room, aqua, pink, and green will all tie in together. At least that’s what the vision in my head is promising me… and I have to trust that vision. Fingers crossed!
And the third reason is just because I wanted to. lol.
And, quite frankly, I can’t think of a better reason than that. 🙂
Your home should be your decorative oyster, where anything you want to do is absolutely possible.
If you enjoyed this project, you might also enjoy my faux tea towel roller blind/shade makeover, and my fabric covered roller shade
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
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So cute, Tuula! Great idea!
Thanks so much Lora!
BEAUTIFUL!! I love the bright colors!!
Thanks Brenda!
Amazing! And I like the idea that you can change them around.
Now to wait for the curtain project. I wonder if you could use a bunch of ratty doilies, changing the position of each on each blind? So many possibilities…..so few blinds, lol. Maybe some kind of stenciled motto or randomness. Yours turned out gorgeous. The colors are so pretty. Thanks for brightening my day.
Thanks Mary! I think doilies would look fabulous, and stenciled words would be amazing too. You’re right, there are so many possibilities!
Won’t the paint stick when trying to opening the blinds?
Hi Cindy, the paint would only stick if you’re very heavy handed when spraying. It was not a problem for me at all. The trick is to do a light even coat.
OH MY WORD!!!! Tuula! My socks are totally knocked off!!! These are beautiful! Oh, how I envy the fact that you can do what you want in your home!!! But I promise you, I will use this idea somewhere!!! But tell me this, how do you raise and lower a cordless blind?? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one! Oh, this is just beautiful. Pinned for sure!!! Dona
Thanks Dona! I have no idea how it works from a technical standpoint, but all I have to do is put my hand beneath the bottom rail and push it up. It’s like magic!
They turned out so pretty! I could see this being done with grays or tans if a person doesn’t like color too!
Tania
Thanks Tania! Oh yes, I think any color would look amazing against the white. 🙂
This is an awesome project & you did a great job. Really like the idea.
Thank you so much Linda!
I never would have thought of this but what a WOW moment for brainstorming! I could see using stencils too. I’ve just invested in several for other projects and here’s another way to use them. I like the idea of using doilies too. Great inspiration. Thanks.
Thanks so much Pam! I love the doily idea too. 🙂
What a great idea! They came out beautiful. They sort of look like fabric shades now. So pretty. Looking forward to seeing the curtains you make also. Someone mentioned using doilies. I bet you could get a real boho chic look using different doily rounds and colors. You should post this on Hometalk.
Thanks Debra! A collection of doilies used as stencils would look amazing, and would be so fun to try.
Great idea to update those eyesore blinds on the cheap!
Thanks very much Mary! You’re so right. Sometimes the price is right, but items need a little help to turn them into something more.
I love your new blinds, anxious to see your curtains. I can sew and do some every now and then, but your idea is appealing to me. I really enjoy your ideas and have used a few.
Thanks Koleta! I’m so happy that you’ve used some of my ideas. That makes my day!
You’re Amazing! I don’t know how you keep coming up with all these wonderful ideas.
Thank you so much Laura! I’m so glad you’re enjoying them. 🙂
Awesome!
Thanks very much Nancy!
Love this idea I think I will try it and take down my curtains. Thanks for the idea.
That’s wonderful June! I’m so glad my project has inspired you, 🙂
I love this idea ! but have a question…when removing the lace panel the paint is still wet right? will it smear? and if you put the wet panel on a new blind will that smear? or do you wait for it to dry in between the blind “painting?
Thanks Donna! Those are both very good questions. The paint is still wet when removing the lace panel, but I had no problem with smearing. I lifted it from the top down and sort of peeled it off as I went. It only takes a couple of seconds to remove it, and if you don’t let the panel slide around it should be no problem. Don’t do it outside on a windy day that’s for sure. And yes, I let the panel dry between painting the other two blinds. With spray paint that doesn’t take very long. I hope I’ve answered your questions. 🙂
I am new to this sight and I just have to say all of the projects I have seen have been amazing you guys are so awesome thanks for the inspiration you guys make me feel like I can do anything ?
Thanks so much Yolanda! I’m so glad my projects have inspired you. 🙂
These are absolutely beautiful! I’m a metal finish kind of girl, and can’t wait to go buy some blinds! My question is, how do you spray paint above the blinds and not tilt the can? Wouldn’t you have to hang them?
Thanks Marjory! The can can be slightly tilted when you’re holding it, but you still want to be spray painting from above the lace and not from the side. You could certainly hang the blind if you wanted to, but it’s really not necessary. A metal spray paint would look amazing!
These look great and so unique! I LOVE the aqua one. Can’t wait to see your curtains!
Thanks AnnMarie! Why am I not surprised by that? lol.
Tuula this is such a spectacular way to transform those boring blinds. Thanks for sharing this idea!
Thanks very much Mary!
Would this work on larger slate blinds..just found u r site…? ? ?
I’m not sure Ronnie, but if it were me I would give it a try. I think it works better on wider slats than narrower, which is why I bought 1 1/2″ rather than 1″ slats.
Wonder if this would work on a small bathroom wall?
Technically I think it would work but the issue for me would be spray painting inside, which I never do and wouldn’t recommend because of the fumes.
I LOVE these blinds! I have a couple of questions…
1) where do you find a “cheap” piece of lace this big?
2) when the blinds get turned partially open, isn’t there a part of each slat that didn’t get painted because they slightly overlap each other?
3) what is the material of these blinds? Metal? Plastic? I guess knowing would determine the correct spray paint.
You definitely are one of the more inspiring people I’ve seen since subscribing.
Thanks very much Susan! I’ll answer your questions in order. 1) Just like most of my project supplies I found my lace tablecloth at a thrift store. I see lace curtains at thrift stores a lot too. 2) That’s why it’s very important to have your slats laying properly before you start spraying. When my blinds are open there’s only about 1/4″ at the back of the slats where they’re just white with no spray paint pattern. But you only notice it if you’re standing right in front looking at it. 3) In the picture of my blinds it does say that they’re vinyl, but I didn’t mention it in my post so I’ll add that. Most spray paints have a product that will do both metal and plastic, but read the can to make sure. I hope that helps. 🙂
Hello Tuula ,beautiful work, I am so excited to try this, how many cans of paint did it take per blind?
Thanks Cindy! I can’t really say for sure how much paint I used because I used spray paint that I already had. But I can say that each color was not full, and they weren’t empty when I was done. It really doesn’t take much if you’re light handed, which you really need to be. I hope that helps. 🙂
WOW!!! Just Beautiful !
Thanks very much Tammy!
I love this idea I’m going try it right now, I’ll send pics when I am finished but I’m thinking i may leave some of the fabric and cut with a razor on every other piece of blind.
Awesome Mandi! I’m so happy that my project has inspired you. I look forward to seeing your pictures. 🙂
Could I use the blinds I have already hanging after I clean them. This is something I wanna do to my bedroom windows. My room is light purple and I’d do the blinds in light lavender. I have shear valence curtains hanging. I think that would set off my room just right. Thanks.
Hi Dawn. I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t do this with your current blinds as long as you clean them well before painting. I think light lavender blinds would be lovely in a purple room.
Wow the blinds are so beautiful, going to do this on my large master bath blinds, amazing. thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much Pamie! I’m happy you’re going to give it a try.
I absolutely love this idea. I’m building a new home this spring and have been searching for decoration ideas. I love the rustic look! But, I’m definitely going to do this lace spray painting on the blinds. Thank you for sharing!, Teresa
Thanks Teresa! I’m so happy that my blinds have inspired you to give this a try yourself. 🙂
What a great idea and the end result is beautiful. Have you tried this technique on fabric? I’m making curtains from drop cloths and searching for a way to paint a design. I’ve only thought of stencils but your idea of lace tablecloths seems like a better, less expensive option.
Thanks Em! I haven’t tried this technique on fabric, but I can say that the lace that I used as my stencil was pretty stiff with the paint when I was done the three blinds.
Another brilliant blind refresh that I missed. Very cool idea and the possibilities are endless using this paint technique.
Thanks so much Marie! Spray paint is just the best for so many reasons.
So happy to find this sweet lace blinds idea. Am in process of purchasing a new home with a 3 pane bay window. I actually have been checking out pretty lace curtains but it will be so expensive. Your idea is Awesome and gives me just the ‘thing’ I am needing. Thank You!
Congrats on the new home Pat! I’m so happy that my blinds have inspired you. These lace spray painted blinds are definitely an inexpensive alternative to lace curtains, and I hope you love yours as much as I still love mine.
Thank you for the easy and fun sounding project! I’ve been through dozens and no one came close to what I wanted until I found you! I’m going to try this and want to say thanks!
That’s so wonderful Peggy! I hope you love your blinds as much as I love mine. 🙂