You Don't Need A Paint Tray: The Alternative You Already Own

In the world of home decor and DIY, paint is a radically transformational substance, as you can make the biggest change in your home with a gallon of it. Old furniture, tired walls, small accent items –– all get a new lease on life with a little elbow grease and a few coats. But what if the mood strikes and you don't have a paint tray? Don't run to the store just yet. You probably already have what you need right in your own home: a dustpan.

YouTube creator Gandy Angeles demonstrated a homemade paint roller tray ideal for small rollers using a few common household items. If you've got a dustpan that's wider than your roller, aluminum foil, and a standard school binder, you're already covered for this handy DIY paint hack worth trying. Let's face it, being able to complete quick touch-ups to mask wear and tear in your home without a lot of hassle means one more item is crossed off that lengthy weekend to-do list.

This easy paint tray substitute idea starts with aluminum foil. For this project, a heavy-duty variety is best. Foil can tear, and the last thing you want is paint flowing from the dustpan or foil bits floating around in your paint. If you only have standard foil, it will still work, but you will need to use more. Start by placing several layers to line your dustpan. Prop the dustpan's long edge on the binder so it is tilted. Pour the paint (it should pool in the "deeper" end), then dip your roller into the improvised tray until it's covered, and roll it up and down the higher part of the dustpan to avoid messy paint drips before you even start your project. 

If you don't have a school binder, use whatever you have on hand to give the tray a high angle at one end, like a strip of wood or even an old book. If you've run out of foil, a doubled-up pair of plastic grocery or trash bags can be used to line the pan. Using painter's or masking tape, create little loops with the sticky side out and press them into the dustpan before fitting the bags so they stay put as you work. Make sure there aren't any holes or tears in the bags, and keep the printed side against the pan so the color doesn't rub off into your paint. When you're finished, the ultimate hack for cleaning your paint tray is as easy as tossing your liner in the trash.