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DIY Mailbox Makeover Your Neighbors Will Envy

Courtney moved into a new home and gave it a coastal DIY mailbox makeover with paint, Mod Podge Outdoor, and paper. It looks awesome!

Skills Required: Beginner. You’ll be spray painting and applying Mod Podge to the inside of the mailbox. I have a how-to at the bottom of this close that gives tips for painting.

DIY Mailbox Makeover Your Neighbors Will Envy

Hi, it’s Courtney with Crafts by Courtney again and today I’m sharing my NEW coastal mailbox makeover. YAY, I’m so excited!

I’m moving into a new home, and one of my first projects was picking out my mailbox. I found a great post and mailbox BUT I really wanted it to match the theme of my home. I love beach decor, including outside in the yard.

Painted Mailbox Idea

I began the project by spray painting the mailbox with outdoor spray paint. The color was actually called Nautical! How cool is that? After that, I thought the mailbox still needed something extra.

My creative juices started flowing and then I came up with the idea of lining the inside. I ran to the craft store and found some Outdoor Mod Podge. And then the rest just came together.

Learn how to do your own DIY mailbox makeover using the tutorial below!

Gather These Supplies

Getting Started

So the hardest part was picking out what pattern I wanted to use on the inside. For some reason I just LOVE lobsters, I have no idea why. My mom thinks I’m crazy and hates my lobsters in the house. She prefers chickens . . .

Four sheets of scrapbook paper, Outdoor Mod Podge, and a foam brush

So once I decided on my pattern I thought the Outdoor Mod Podge would work perfect, especially if any water gets into the mailbox. So let’s get crafting!

Mailbox spray painted with turquoise spray paint

Step 1 – Spray Paint Your Mailbox

In order to paint the mailbox, you’re going to go through the following steps:

  1. If at all possible, remove the mailbox from the post. If you can’t you’ll have to tape paper around it to protect the post. Then you’ll painter’s tape the flag.
  2. Clean the mailbox with mild soap and water. It helps to use warmer water and a scrub brush.
  3. Smooth out an areas that need it with sandpaper. You can also remove any rust at this point as well.
  4. If you can, spray with a white primer as a base. Hold the can 6-8 inches from the surface and use a sweeping motion. Apply several light coats, allowing to dry between coats.

Then you are ready to pick your color!

I selected a bright aqua that reminds me of sea glass. Use an outdoor spray paint for your DIY mailbox. Add a total of three coats and let stand 24 hours. Remember to keep the can 6-8 inches and the coats should be light. Use the sweeping motion.

I didn’t paint the inside of the mailbox. I will be painting my front door to match my mailbox next!

Mod Podge scrapbook paper to the inside of a coastal mailbox

Step 2 – Add Scrapbook Paper

Now it’s time to add the scrapbook paper!

I needed a total of four pieces of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper. They fit perfect. I added a layer all along the inside of the mailbox then gently placed in my scrapbook paper. Once I added my scrapbook paper I went over the inside of the mailbox again with Mod Podge.

I decided against doing the entire inside of the mailbox. I didn’t want to go overboard with the lobsters. 😉

Unique mailboxes - turquoise mailbox with a coastal theme

Step 3 – Finishing Touches

I let the Mod Podge dry 24 hours before putting up my mailbox outside. Oh it looks so pretty! I’m so happy about the lobsters. I think the mailman will get a kick out of it.

Now that I’ve taken my pictures I can add my house numbers next and finish planting my flowers around it.

decorative mailbox with a coastal theme

As you can see we still have to add the grass in the yard, so much to do before moving in. But we’ll get it done. Now I just need to decide if I want to add brick around the bottom or just leave flowers. Any ideas??

We are out in the country so my DIY mailbox makeover really sticks out down our country road. It will be EASY giving people directions to my house. All the way down until you see the only bright mailbox . . .

Yield: 1 mailbox

Paint a Mailbox

Unique mailboxes - turquoise mailbox with a coastal theme

Learn how to paint a mailbox with spray paint and make it last. This is a very easy home improvement project you can complete in less than a few hours.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Active Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $7

Materials

Tools

  • Painter's tape
  • Sandpaper

Instructions

  1. Remove the mailbox from the post if possible. Otherwise, tape off using painter's tape.
  2. Wrap the mailbox flag with painter's tape to protect it from the paint.
  3. Use an all purpose cleaner to remove any dirt and dust from the surface. Rinse with water and let dry.
  4. If there is any flaking paint or rust, sand smooth with sandpaper.
  5. In a well-ventilated area, apply spray paint. Hold the can 6-8 inches from the surface and paint using a sweeping side-to-side motion with slight overlap.
  6. Allow the spray paint to dry for 30-60 seconds.
  7. Continue to apply light coats to the mailbox, waiting 30-60 seconds between each, until the surface is covered.
  8. Make sure the mailbox is completely dry before you remove the painter's tape.

Notes

  • If the mailbox is dark, I recommend a coat of primer first.

Did You Make This Project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


If you enjoy decorating your home in a beachy or coastal theme, check out these other ideas:

Samuel Jones

Thursday 11th of March 2021

Your mailbox is the most important thing in your front yard. It tell the character of your family and home. I started a Adopt a mailbox program to help my customers, if they need help in this crazy time in your lives.

Debra

Monday 30th of November 2020

Flowers draw bees and that could be very dangerous for mail carriers that are allergic. Clean box out regularly for spiders and such.

Sher

Saturday 13th of May 2023

@Debra, so right, flowers, vines, bees & mailmen do not mix! Plant some foliage not flowers, maybe Hostas or ferns.

Greta PAul

Thursday 30th of April 2015

Not sure what your weather is like. Down in Tasmania, Australia it gets hot in Summer and Autumn No hose where the mailbox is. I put a variety of succulents in different colours and sizes around mine. Carefree and looks good. Love your mailbox!

Elaine Bramlitt

Saturday 25th of April 2015

Courtney! How cute! And how crazy that I was looking at gift ideas for my nieces, came across some mod podge rings, got a link to here and first thing I see is YOU! Now, back to the rings :)

CreativeKhadija

Saturday 25th of April 2015

This is so cute!

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