DIY: Spray-Painted Ceramic Rooster Makeover

I’ve been hiding this $12 HomeGoods find in our playroom for about five months, which means it was definitely time for action. This rooster was part of a project I call the “Dude Get On That Already” challenge: a promise to either use or let go of the things we’ve been collecting in our overstuffed playroom. If I didn’t put it to use, out it would go.

At first glance he reads as a roughly weathered white-and-tan rooster. The distressed finish felt more country than my usual crisp, modern ceramic preferences, so I decided a fresh coat of paint would be perfect. Since he’s a giant rooster, I wanted a bold, unapologetic color—something playful that wouldn’t take itself too seriously. After a little deliberation in the spray paint aisle, I chose a deep aubergine in a satin finish.

Supplies and preparation

For projects like this, a spray primer can be a great help—primer improves adhesion on slick surfaces like ceramic. I opted to skip the primer initially because the paint can advertised strong coverage, planning to add primer only if the paint didn’t behave. The plan worked: using thin, misted coats gave good results without a separate primer layer.

Technique: thin, even coats

When spray painting, patience matters. Light initial coats look patchy, and coverage often doesn’t appear until the third or fourth layer. I followed a routine of short, even passes, allowing a little drying time between coats. The first pass left him looking almost hot pink where the paint was thin, but by the third coat the color evened out into a rich aubergine. Naming inanimate friends is a habit around here, so he’s now called Jarvis.

Placement and scale

Jarvis looks lively against our kitchen’s soft avocado walls and provides an unexpected pop of color. For scale, he measures about a foot and a half tall—big enough to make a statement but not so big that he overwhelms the room. There’s something delightfully whimsical about having a giant aubergine rooster greet you in the morning.

Thinking about color changes

While I enjoy the current shade, I’m not completely committed to it yet. Sometimes a piece like this evolves with the room as other elements come together. He may get additional coats in a different bright color down the line—yellow or slate blue are contenders—depending on how the kitchen finishes out. For now, the plum tone adds character and keeps things fun.

Why small projects matter

These “Dude Get On That Already” tasks are small, but they’re surprisingly satisfying. Clearing out or repurposing items from a cluttered space creates momentum. With each small victory, the playroom inches closer to becoming a blank canvas for paint, curtains, a rug, and furniture. It’s that energizing feeling of progress: the room is no longer just a storage catchall but a space ready to be envisioned and styled.

What do you stash away in a spare corner, closet, or room and then forget about? Small projects like this can be an easy way to reclaim those items and give them new life. A little effort—thin coats of paint, a good color choice, and a bit of imagination—can transform something overlooked into a playful focal point.

P.S. Jarvis ranks high among giant roosters in sheer charm. He’s definitely one of my favorites in the house right now.