Metal letters. Are they not the cutest home decor ever? Such a statement piece on any shelf or wall! I’ve been seeing them everywhere, and I always think about how they are a smidge overpriced! So of course, I set out to figure out how I could make these without dropping a pretty penny on them… And it turns out it is easy peasy! I’m telling you, it’s a naptime project! You’re an hour away from some awesome new home decor!

Things you need:

• A cardboard letter from a local craft store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels (I chose a large one to make an impact, but you can also get the small ones. And don’t forget to use your mobile coupon on these!)
• A large paintbrush
• Acrylic paints in three different colors: (1) black (2) burnt sienna (3) gunmetal gray. You don’t need to buy the exact same brands I bought, but I haven’t tested others so if you want the exact look I went for, you may want to get the same paints as I used!
• A spouncer brush

Step-By-Step Directions:

Start by painting the cardboard letter the gunmetal gray. I normally do two coats, but if you think yours is pretty much covered with one thick coat, then don’t bother with a second one! I definitely paint the whole letter, front and back to avoid making it seem like it was ever a cardboard letter. And I do two coats. =)

Once it’s fully painted, let it dry. It won’t take that long. These are acrylic paints, and they will dry very quickly! Take the spouncer, dip it in the black paint, and dab the excess on a paper towel. Start with just spotting all over the letter. It doesn’t have to be even or in a specific pattern. The messier, the better! You cannot mess this up, I promise!

Next, you’re going to add some “rust” to make it look old and weathered. Grab the burnt sienna, and just dip the tip of your paintbrush into a little bit of paint. Start dabbing the burnt sienna onto the edges of the letter, and not too uniformly. You want it to be spread out and sporadic. Don’t focus on getting it even and perfect! Imperfections here are absolutely perfect!

Just let it dry! You guys. THAT’S IT. It’s ready to be hung up or put in the house wherever you want to have a statement piece with some letters/numbers!

I have these letters that say “DINE” in my kitchen that I painted to make look like metal letters, and here are the letters before I hung them up!

Possibilities are endless! Maybe you want to add a name to a nursery? A number for a party for decor? How about an ampersand for a gallery wall! How are you going to use these letters in your home?

Pin it so you can find these directions super easily!