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You have finished your work, but the colour was more abundant than expected - now you have leftovers.
But what to do with it? The paint is too good to throw away, but not enough for a whole project.
What can you do with the leftover paint? We'll explain in this blog post!

What is the best way to store my leftover paint?

You can store chalk paint, water-based wall emulsions and varnishes for a long time. It is important that you seal the paint airtight so that it does not dry out.
To do this, pour it into a preserving jar or similar sealable container.
These can be easily sealed and, unlike paint tins, do not rust. An additional advantage is that you can see the colour shade and quantity at first glance.

Use leftover paint to repair flaws, blemishes and scratches

Sometimes it can happen that damage occurs to your wall or painted furniture, a staircase or a windowsill. These are often small spots, but they can really spoil the overall impression. That's why it's a good idea to have some paint on hand to touch up the damage. The great thing about all our paints and varnishes is that they can be touched up even after a long time without it being noticeable. The colour smoothes out as it dries.

Using leftover paint for creative ideas

You can basically use your leftover paint for any idea that pops into your head. So it's almost impossible to list all the possibilities.
We have presented the most common ideas here.

Painting vases

You can also transform glass or porcelain vases with MissPompadour and Little Pomp Paints.
However, a primer with MissPompadour To Bond & Block is recommended here so that the paint can adhere to the smooth surface. However, if the painted surface is only decoration and will not be used, this primer is not absolutely necessary. If you have leftover primer, you can of course use it.

Painting flower pots

Clay flower pots in particular, with their somewhat porous surface, can be treated very well indoors with MissPompadour Paints. The varnishes MissPompadour Eggshell Varnish and Matt Varnish are suitable for this, as are leftover wall paints from The Functional Wall Paint and The Valuable Wall Paint or LittlePomp chalk paints and chalk varnishes.
You can also embellish metal or plastic balcony boxes with leftover paint. Use our Eggshell Varnishes outdoors. Just remember that you need a primer with MissPompadour To Bond & Block for smooth surfaces if you want to create the most stable surface possible.

Painting lampshades

It is also very popular to give lampshades a new colour. Regardless of whether your lampshade is made of paper, wicker or fabric, you can always change it with a splash of colour.
Pro tip: If you are painting on fabric, add a little oil to your paint.

Painting fabric

Would you like to design a fabric chair seat to match the new wall paint? Do you happen to have some wall paint left over? Then add some oil to the paint and simply paint the seat upholstery!
Would you like to use your leftover paint for more fabrics and are looking for instructions? You can find them in our article on " Painting fabrics"!


There are endless possibilities for using leftover paint. There are no limits to your creativity.

Paint residue that has dried in the tin

Once the paint has dried, you can no longer use it, but MissPompadour Paints can be disposed of with normal household waste when dry.


FAQs: Frequently asked questions

Find out more about how to deal with leftover paint.

What is the best way to store leftover paint?

Pour the remaining paint into a jar with a screw cap. This is because no air can get into the jar and it cannot rust. It is best to store the jars away from light and at room temperature.

How long do paint residues last?

If the paint is well sealed and has not been contaminated Before, you can keep it for about 1-2 years.

Where do I get ideas and inspiration for recycling leftover paint?

On our inspiration page you will find many beautiful painting examples. If you're looking for small painted areas, just keep an eye out for multi-coloured furniture and walls.
You can easily find more examples on other photo databases outside our site.

What do I do if the paint has dried up in a poorly sealed can? How can I dispose of the paint?

Open the lid of the can and let the paint dry completely.
Afterwards, you can dispose of the MissPompadour Paints with the residual waste.