DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor

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Have you ever taken on a project that looks amazing when you visualize it in your head, but has you wondering if it’s going to look fabulous or just totally junky?

This DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor was one of those projects. Thankfully, it turned out well. In fact, the bold and graphic style of Halloween decor is even better than I imagined.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com
DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

My friends over at Lowe’s Home Improvement challenged me to come up with a fun Halloween DIY project. Instead of simply using the beautiful seasonal decor they sell in store and online, I opted to put on my creative hat and make something unique.

I shopped the store last Saturday and settled on the idea of transforming paint cans into candle containers that I could use for entertaining. My mom then spotted some black and orange glitter spray paint, and my idea came to life. With vinyl letters, a Dremel, and a few other items, I was ready to get crafty and give plain paint cans a haunting new life.

And that I did.

On one large paint can (Yes, you can buy empty paint cans in gallon or quart sizes at Lowe’s.), I spelled out a classic Halloween pun, “I’m here for the boos.” (Get it? Here for the booze.) I thought this can could pull double duty as an ice bucket, wine storage, or even a cute gift.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

My sister-in-law mentioned that she and my brother “booze” (instead of boos) their adult neighbors and thought the can would make a great gift container for something like that.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

However, in my dining room, it looks super seasonal all styled up to create a little drink station for entertaining.

While it’s hard to see in the photos, the sparkle spray paint adds texture and just a touch of glamour to the can.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com
DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

You might also have noticed another paint can on my drink station.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Here, a quart paint can serves as a tealight holder. Using my Dremel rotary tool, I punched holes in the can to create the eerie design. (I found the spider web image online.) When the tealight is lit, the spider web comes to life, adding a lovely glow and twinkle.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com
DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Crazy cute, right?

And because those two designs weren’t enough, I went ahead and created two more Halloween paint cans.

To go along with the DIY Tag Banner in my living room, this can reads, “Trick or Treat Yo’self.”

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com
DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

This can would be ideal for storing candy for trick or treaters or hiding your personal See’s Candies stash. I don’t judge.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Again, that orange sparkle paint brought the can to life.

Because I needed a coordinating candle, I decided to add a pumpkin to the other quart can.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com
DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Adorable.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Also, for the record, I’ve fallen in love with my Dremel rotary tool. After seeing my blogger friend and makeover-genius, Monica use one on The Weekender (A DIY Makeover web series from Lowe’s), I knew I had to break mine out and try it for myself.

Okay, so now that I’ve teased you with my fabulous DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor, let me tell you how to create your own!

How to: DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Here’s what will will need:

Empty paint cans
Spray paint (I used black and fire orange from Rust-Oleum.)
Glitter spray paint (in black and orange)
Vinyl alphabet stickers
Dremel rotary tool and bits
Printed Halloween graphics
Craft knife
Scissors
Tape

Let’s start with the lettered gallon paint cans.

First, you’ll want to pick up some vinyl letters. I found these (near the poster board) at Walmart. These vinyl letters aren’t overly sticky so you’ll be able to easily remove them after you’ve painted your cans.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Next, apply the letters to the paint can, spelling out whatever you want it to say.

After the letters are applied, spray paint your can. I placed the can upside down on a cardboard box in my yard. That way, no paint got on the inside or the rim of the can. Apply 2 or 3 thin coats of  spray paint until the can is completely covered; allow each coat to thoroughly dry.

Once the can is completely covered in paint, follow up with 2 or 3 coats of the glitter paint. When using the glitter paint, be sure to have at least 2-3 feet of space between the can and the spray paint. Apply thin coats for the best results.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

After the can has completely dried, used a craft knife to peel off the letters. Fill your can with wine or candy, and you’re done.

Now, let’s make those quart-sized punched candle holders.

Start by finding a Halloween graphic online. In Google images, I searched for “Halloween outline.”

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Print out the graphic on a piece of paper. Trim the paper as needed so that it fits on the paint can. Tape the paper to the paint can, making sure the graphic is where you want it.

The paper with the graphic serves two purposes. First, it gives you a pattern to follow for making your design. Secondly, it gives the Dremel a matte surface for puncturing. (I tried using the Dremel on the paint can without a paper guide, and the bit tended to slip on the surface of the can.)

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

With your design on the paint can, use your Dremel to puncture holes along the lines of the design. For this project, I used the bit that looks like a threaded cone.

(If you don’t have a Dremel, you could use a hammer and sharp nail to create your design.)

Once you’re happy with your design, remove the paper template. Now your can is ready to be painted.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Again, I placed the can upside down on a cardboard box in my yard. That way, no paint could get inside or on the rim of the can. First, apply 2 or 3 thin coats of  spray paint until the can is completely covered. Make sure the paint dries thoroughly between coats.

Once the can is nicely painted, apply 2 or 3 thin coats of the glitter paint. As I indicated earlier, when using the glitter paint, be sure there is a 2-3 feet space between the can and the spray paint. Apply thin coats for best results.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Allow the can to dry completely. Use a tea light to illuminate your design.

That’s it!

As you can see, this project is simple, but it creates bold and beautiful results. If you can spray paint, you can do this.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com
DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

As I mentioned above, you don’t necessarily need a Dremel to complete this project. However, it’s a fun tool to have, and I’m excited to see what other projects I can create with it.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

For now, I’m just loving my DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor.

Join me back here on Friday when I’ll be joining some fellow bloggers for a mini-Halloween home tour. You’ll get to see the rest of my dining room decorated for an All Hallows’ Eve celebration.

DIY Halloween Paint Can Decor | inspiredbycharm.com

Until then, Happy Haunting!

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15 Comments

  1. Michael — GREAT idea. Reminds me of the luminarias around here in NM. But — where oh where did you get that dancing or jumping skeleton? Is it a printable??

  2. I love the idea but I can’t find the black glitter spray paint. Or orange for that matter. Any ideas on where to find this? It’s not at any Lowes and Amazon does not have it either…..