If you have a box of cheap, shiny, glittery, or matte plastic Christmas baubles lying around, don’t throw them away! Transform them with my painted ornament ideas instead!
Painting plastic Christmas ornaments is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to create a custom Christmas decoration. With just a little preparation and the right paint, you can transform cheap ornaments into something artistic, modern, textured, or traditional.
In this post I share four different techniques for painting plastic ornaments.
My ideas all start with the same simple basic steps, but the end results look completely unique. Scroll through to discover your favorite look, then follow the full step-by-step instructions for each ornament.
4 painting ideas for cheap plastic ornaments
This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. View my full disclosure policy.
I had a huge box full of different colored plastic ball ornaments that I bought very cheaply on clearance years ago. I love transforming them into different looks that fit my annual Christmas theme.
You can just paint them a solid color and call it a day. Or you can take it a step further and add some designs or textures. Here are four of my favorite ideas with completely different looks. I have also added the links so you can follow each step by step guide.
Style 1: Modern Bold/Artistic Brush Stroke Ornaments
Give plain plastic ornaments a bold, modern makeover with loose black-and-white brushstrokes. This design builds on my complete plastic ornament painting tutorial and then takes it a step further with abstract, painterly details. Each ornament turns out to be unique, making it a fun project for everyone, including children.
Style 2: Textured Baking Soda Ornaments
If you love the matte, earthy look of terra cotta, this baking soda painting method transforms shiny plastic ornaments into warm, textured DIY ornaments with baking soda paint. This project is all about creating depth with layered neutrals and subtle highlights. You can even use old and dull glitter ornaments for this project!
Style 3: Mexican inspired folk art ornaments
These faux burnished Mexican ornaments are full of bold colors and simple motifs. The step-by-step instructions walk you through the entire process until you finally add playful botanical patterns using a Sharpie. This tutorial turns simple plastic ornaments into living keepsakes.
Style 4: German Bauernmalerei (Alpine Folk Art) Ornaments
These hand-painted ornaments are inspired by traditional German folk art and feature gentle vintage floral motifs. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to adapt German folk art (peasant painting) techniques for ornaments or other household items using simple brushes and acrylic paint.
Materials you’ll need for painting plastic ball ornaments in general
- Primer (I love Kilz primer)
- Craft and art brushes
- spray paint
- Acrylic paint
- Markers such as an oil-based Sharpie
- Ribbon
- cheap plastic ornaments that you can find at thrift stores, flea markets, or on clearance at any home decor store and even dollar stores
Frequently asked questions
The baking soda ornaments are the easiest because the texture hides imperfections. Brushstroke and folk art designs require more precision, but are still suitable for beginners with some practice.
Acrylic craft paint is suitable for almost any ornament style. For textured surfaces, add baking soda. For detailed designs, use a fine-tipped brush and quick-drying acrylic or a felt-tip pen.
I don’t like following too many rules. Whatever floats your boat is usually what I say! However, if you need some guidelines, customize the interface to your Christmas tree theme. Examples include: modern for minimalist decor, terracotta for natural or earth-toned trees, folk art for traditional decor, and colorful ornaments for eclectic or global styles.
I love combining styles that can add personality. For balance, try mixing a bold set (e.g. Mexican-inspired ornaments) with a neutral set (e.g. terracotta ornaments).
Wrap each ornament in tissue paper or bubble wrap and avoid stacking heavy items on top. Store in a cool, dry place to avoid paint scratches or dents.
Absolutely because they are durable and don’t shatter like glass. I recommend that an adult prime and paint the base layer and then let the children create the ornaments. If you’re letting small children paint them, it’s better to just let them make their own design rather than follow instructions. At the end you will receive very special decorations and memories.
Painted ornament projects are perfect for covering up imperfections. Priming and painting will hide most scratches, and textured surfaces will hide them completely.
More of my DIY Christmas ornament tutorials
If painting isn’t your thing, I have lots of other DIY Christmas decorations tutorials that are affordable and recycle common materials. Here are some of my favorites.
I hope this roundup inspires you to try a new style this season. And don’t forget to check out each full tutorial for detailed steps and additional tips.
Bye,
