Materials: Plastic and Laminate
That drinks tray your mother-in-law gave you has such elegant lines, perfect for your minimalist white home. If only it weren’t so…white. A coat of spray paint will turn it a color that will complement your decor rather than fading into it. (Note that other household objects made of plastic, like wastebaskets, or glass, like wine bottles and Mason jars, also have hidden decorative lives waiting to be drawn out by a can of Krylon Fusion.)

Step 1: The general spray-painting technique found in Step 2 of Makeover Your Coffee Table With Paint applies, but a few extra precautions are needed to keep puddles and drips from forming on the edges and in the corners of a tray. Don’t spray down onto the tray; instead, set it on one side and hit it straight on, rotating to spray all sides and edges. It’s especially important to keep sweeping from side to side as you spray so paint doesn’t build up in any one area. For an intense, uniform surface, apply several light, even coats, waiting 30 seconds to a minute between them; let dry thoroughly. Next, flip the tray over and do the underside the same way.

Step 2: Let dry for an hour before using the tray. (Always use dishes when serving food from the tray or any other painted surface, to avoid the risk of particles of paint flaking off and being ingested.)

Shopping List

One can Krylon Fusion (shown in Satin Khaki), $4 to $5, www.krylon.com for store locations.