The following is a guest post about how to organize leftover paint from regular contributor, Morgan from Morganize with Me.
One of my favorite parts about writing/blogging/organizing is that I get to pass on my favorite tips to you! And when I stumbled upon this latest tip, I knew this month would be the perfect time to share this particular tip.
After all, with school starting soon, hopefully you and I can get back to working on some of our home projects! Because I don’t know about you, but for me, the summer tends to get too full with fun and activity, and I just don’t seem to have as much time for all of the home stuff.
Let me rewind a bit.
We moved into our new home almost a year ago and with it being a brand new construction home we also received a pile of leftover products from the builder. Thank you?
The pile of products were casually stacked in our basement for those “some days.” You can bet I’ve pretty much ignored the pile altogether!
The only time I’ve rummaged through the haphazard pile was to find a paint color from time-to-time. Basically paint I needed for touching up trim or walls. What I realized in doing this, was that there were many close to empty five-gallon paint buckets that were taking up a lot of room.
So I decided to do something about it!
I first started by purchasing some Ziploc plastic containers with a screw on lid and I transferred the paint to them. I thought I had found the perfect solution. Not the case at all. Please note – do not try this at home! What I discovered with the Ziploc containers was the paint dried in between the lid and the container, making it impossible to unscrew the lid and access the paint. Ugh.
Sometimes you just have to learn things the hard way.
After that failed attempt I went to Home Depot in search of a better option. And look what I found! 1 quart metal paint can buckets (not an affiliate link).
Aren’t they just the cutest?
And they mimic paint cans – so you can open, close them, and reuse them.
Like that, I was able to streamline all of our leftover paint! I’ve also transferred leftover paint from a few projects I’ve done too, like my daughter’s room and our pocket office.
Transferring leftover paint to smaller sized containers is not only a space-saving solution, it also helps you to only keep on hand the paint that you actually need.
My encouragement is to take an inventory of your paint. Make a goal to dispose properly of any paint you no longer need and then create a simple system to store the leftover paint you need to keep. Making sure to note the brand, color, finish, and room. (I used labels on top of the cans for this purpose.)
Up first on my home project list this fall, is painting our powder bath and finally getting it decorated! Yay!
What’s on your fall home project to-do list?
Happy (almost) fall and organizing!
Morgan is the energetic and motivated, but also realistic girl, behind Morganize with Me. She is a list lover, fitness fan, and chaos controller! Her mission is to share tried and true techniques that she hopes will encourage her readers and clients as they focus on their health and homes. Join one of her Challenges and be sure to check out her Shop full of fabulous organizing printables!
Seana Turner says
Nice idea! It is helpful to have some touch-up paint where you can easily find it. I remember Martha Stewart once saying she kept a bit in a baby food jar… I think it may have been kitchen paint. I always tell my painter he can never move away because he is the one who knows where all my paint is and which can matches which wall:)
Morgan Tyree says
A baby jar is a great idea, and cute too!
Katherine Cook says
Great ideas, thanks for sharing. We are about to finish our remodelling at home and I was wondering what to do and how to organise all the paints that are left. I’m going to try your tips now.
Morgan Tyree says
I’m glad this can help you with your remodeling and organizing! 🙂