On a recent trip to Goodwill, I came across an old tray.
It was white with lots of gold stars. Not my style. But I liked the size of the tray.
I knew with a little spray paint, this tray could go from trash to treasure.

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If you guys haven’t noticed, I have a thing for green. So of course I wanted the tray to be green.
Supply list for a tray makeover:
- Paint, I used Rust-Oleum’s Ultra Cover Paint + Primer Stain Green Apple
- Painter’s tape
- Drop cloth or tarp

How to spray paint a tray:
1. Tape off any trim you don’t want painted.
I liked the gold trim on the tray, and I wanted to keep it.
The gold stars, not so much. Those were getting painted over!

So I started taping the tray to protect the gold trim.
This was the most time-consuming part of the project, especially in the corners where the tray was curved.

2. Spray paint your tray.
The actual spray painting part of the project took about 10 minutes total.
I put a tarp down on the driveway so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting paint everywhere.
I spray painted the bottom and let it dry.
3. Spray paint the other side of the tray.
Then I spray painted the top, and let that side dry.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3.
I did a second coat on both the top and bottom – and all done!
I propped up the tray in our kitchen. It adds a nice pop of green to the white counters and backsplash.

GET THE LOOK:
Since a popular question I get is “Where’d you get that?!,” here are links to the same or similar sources:
- Wall color: Camelback by Sherwin Williams
- Counters: Blanco Canvas quartz
- Green spatula
- Cabinet hardware
- Curtain rod
- Window valance (DIY)
Have you spray painted anything old lately?
It’s such a fun, easy way to upgrade something!
For more spray painting projects, check these out:
- Fourth of July DIY silverware jars
- An easy dresser makeover with spray paint and new hardware
- How to spray paint a nightstand
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Lisa says
Looks awesome. It looks great on the white countertop
GreenWithDecor says
Thank you!
Charlotte says
I love projects like this! Great post! Thank you for sharing!!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Charlotte!
Tiara says
That is an absolutely amazing color! It looks great on the white walls!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Tiara! I love green 🙂
Christal says
It looks 100% better without those stars haha! I also love your Valance! Your kitchen is too cute 🙂
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Christal! 🙂
Vicky @ randomlittlefaves.com says
Very pretty! I love spray paint for this very reason…so easy to make huge changes and salvage something to make it better! Love how your tray turned out!! Definitely adds a beautiful pop to your countertop :). I’ve spray painted 2 things lately….I wanted a chalkboard in my office, so I found a frame the size I wanted at Goodwill. It still had the glass in the frame, so instead of getting rid of that, I just spray painted that with the chalkboard spray paint and it worked like a charm! I also bought a new filofax and wanted gold tab pages, but couldn’t find any on Etsy. Then, I spotted my can of gold spray paint. I laid the tabbed dividers out and spray painted them to be the gold I had envisioned! (and no filofax was injured in the spray painting project…it was safely kept in a separate room, lol).
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Vicky! Wow, you have been busy! Those projects both sound awesome. What a good idea to use chalkboard spray paint!
Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations says
Rust-oleum spray paint is the best!! And I have got to plan a thrifting trip sans kids so I cam actually discover some hidden treasures instead of just running after them the whole time. 🙂
GreenWithDecor says
Love Rust-Oleum! Enjoy your thrifting trip 🙂
Heather @ The Deans List Blog says
It looks great! Adds just the right amount of color!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Heather!
Katie says
I love that you kept the gold rim and kept it simple… I think I summer my going over the top when I redo things.
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Katie!
Stefanie (@LexieLooDylan2) says
Such a great idea! I love how it turned out!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Stefanie!
Donna says
Looks great in the kitchen – great colour!!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Donna!
Brea says
I LOVE that color! I recently got some old canning jars and painted them to use for bouquets and gifts! Awesome inspiration. Spray paint rocks!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Brea! Sounds like an awesome spray painting project!
Kat | curlsnchard.com says
I actually haven’t spray painted anything, but this is such a good idea! I love up-cycling thrift store finds or things that I find in our basement or attic. 🙂
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Kat! Upcycling can be so much fun!
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins says
I love spray painting ANYTHING, lol. So clearly I love this tray. I have a post later this week on a spray painted tray too! What are the odds? 🙂 I love how you maintain your green accents. I keep trying to stay with my color scheme and get distracted very easily. pinned and shared!!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Stephanie! Great minds think alike 🙂 Can’t wait to see your tray!
Jessica @ Moxie and Mischief says
Great idea!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Jessica!
Jessica says
you and green! Love it girl!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Jessica! I do love green 🙂
Donna says
I have a thing for trays also. I can’t hardly pass one up. They are a good addiction, and can be used everywhere! Love your green one.
GreenWithDecor says
Glad you share my tray addiction!