If you can’t find artificial florals in the colors you need, paint them! This tutorial shows you how to spray paint fake flowers in minutes. No special floral spray paint required.
Skills Required: Beginner. If you can use a can of spray paint, you can make this project! I would say if you aren’t an expert with spray paint, the biggest tip for success is to work slowly. It will work well if you follow that advice.
I love real plants, but they don’t last around this house. Something about having to remember to water them always causes an issue.
Artificial flowers are one way to spruce up a room but sometimes you can’t find the colors you need. Why not paint them?
Spray Painting Flowers
Before you get started painting the flowers, you will want to make sure that they are clean and ready to paint. Dust the blooms or wipe them lightly with a wet paper towel.
If they are really dirty you can try washing them in the sink, but be gentle. You should also put something in the sink as a trap so you don’t lose too many blooms or petals. Let dry.
After you spruce up the flowers and let them dry, you’ll want to get rid of any leaves and petals you don’t want. If you want to, use painter’s tape to tape off the stem(s) so that spray paint doesn’t end up there.
Floral Spray Paint
I did a little research on floral spray paint before beginning this project, and a lot of people use Design Masters brand. Apparently it goes on very light.
I wanted to see if I could forgo floral spray paint and just use the paint I had on hand. My two colors were Rustoleum in a shade of orange-y red and then white for an accent.
The Rustoleum worked VERY well! My personal opinion – you don’t need floral spray paint for a project like this.
If your artificial flowers are *very* lightweight (the fabric used is very sheer), I might consider purchasing something else. But for what I did, regular spray paint worked just fine.
You could always do a test before you completely cover the flowers, just to make sure it’s going to work. I’ll leave that up to you. Are you ready to dive in? Here’s how to paint fake flowers!
Spray Paint Faux Flowers
Gather These Supplies
- Artificial flowers
- Spray paint in a base color and accent color
- Poster board or something else to cover your surface
Paint the First Layer
Outside, place the poster board (or newspaper, etc) on a flat surface. Use the main spray paint color to completely cover the flower petals. It’s better to work slowly, adding several light coats and letting dry in between.
Allow about 15 – 20 minutes to dry before flipping the flowers over and spraying the other side with paint. Keep rotating and spraying the flowers until they are completely covered.
Spray an Accent Layer
Let the artificial flowers dry completely, and then work on adding the accent layer of paint.
To add the accent dimension, take your second color of spray paint and randomly spritz the petals. You’re going to love how this gives the flowers a nice highlighted look.
Leave the flowers outside to fully dry and air out for at least 2 – 3 hours. Just remember not to let them dry in wet spray paint! This will cause the blooms to stick to the poster board, which you obviously don’t want.
The flowers in the above photo are what the bouquet looked like before paint. Sad and kinda gross.
This is what they look like after – much better! Place them in a lovely vase to showcase your creative awesomeness.
With a little spray paint, they were revived to a more modern display. Now you are empowered to spray paint fake flowers yourself!
Spray Paint Fake Flowers
Equipment
- Scissors optional
Materials
- Faux flower(s)
- Spray paint two colors
- Cover for your work surface
Instructions
- Cover your work surface, making sure it’s flat.
- Use the main spray paint color to completely cover the flower petals. Work slowly, adding several light coats and letting dry in-between.
- Let dry 20 minutes and flip the flowers over. Repeat step 2.
- Get any spots you’ve missed with the spray paint. Let the artificial flowers dry completely.
- To add the accent, take your second color of spray paint and randomly spritz the petals until you’re satisfied with the look.
- Leave the flowers outside to fully dry and air out for at least 2 – 3 hours, not in the spray paint, before displaying.
Video
If you’d like to check out some other budget friendly home decorating projects, here are some of my favorites:
bri
Tuesday 18th of October 2022
Does the spray paint make the flowers stiff and weigh them down? Or will they still look real-ish?
Amy
Tuesday 18th of October 2022
You're just doing light sprays so you should be fine. And they still look real-ish as long as you do some good color combos. This is an old trick :)
Brytnie I Horyst
Monday 28th of June 2021
How long does the color last? Did they fade or discolor eventually? My wedding is next May but I want to start on my center pieces now if I could. But I dread them discoloring and have to start over before the wedding lol
Amy
Monday 28th of June 2021
Hi Brytnie! Keep them out of the sun and the color will last forever. And out of the heat. If you have a cool, dry place to store them, the color won't fade.
Debbie Watkins
Friday 26th of March 2021
Please be warned not to use these near a flame. I spray painted flowers for wedding centerpieces and small tea light candles caught them on fire at 3 tables. What a disaster!!!
Amy
Friday 26th of March 2021
Oh my Debbie! Yes, no faux flowers near open flame. I believe they are flammable even without spray paint. I hope everything ended up okay.
Loretta Molet
Sunday 3rd of March 2019
Thanks. The hints were very helpful. I am going to try it today.
jill
Wednesday 19th of September 2018
What color did you use ?
Amy
Thursday 20th of September 2018
Hi Jill! I believe it's orange - however, I don't have the can anymore :/