Look! Polka Dot Fridge

We speak from experience when we say that an ugly fridge can be a real downer, especially in a tiny kitchen. So as we move from diy month into kitchen and bath design month we wanted to highlight something that touches on both topics. This awesome green polka dotted fridge from flickr user jasna.janekovic is an easy enough diy and a great way to create a fun focal point out of a potential eyesore:

You could easily use a potato stamp for something like this and you could use appliance paint to make sure it sticks.

If anyone has more experience painting a fridge (other than polka dots) chime in with what worked best for you. We've read conflicting accounts on thrifty fun and metafilter.

For another fridge diy, read up on how to wallpaper one.

Image from Jasna Janekovic Flickr.

Comments (23)

If you thought your landlord hated the idea of you painting the walls...

You can also use contact paper for a more temporary way to dress up your fridge.

That's adorable! I wonder how it looks up close.

Nope. Sorry, my eyes are sore now. If you're going to put polka dots on something, make sure the pattern is perfectly regular. Otherwise, it swims.

My sister spray-painted hers with black appliance paint & then spray-adhered origami paper squares onto the fridge. It was darling!

I don't think it looks like it was that ugly to begin with.

So far, the only fridge painting I've liked has been the chalk or magnetic paint. It just seems to make more sense in context.

This looks very DIY. And makes me want to clean the fridge.

I'd like to paint my fridge turquoise! I really had my heart set on a vintage fridge (i love the smaller size and the style) but the fact that they run on freon is a real turn off because that is such a toxic chemical. Believe me I know about all the gorgeous retro-styled fridge's.

I dunno, I think they made an eyesore out of a fridge.

I am not sure about a real fridge painted like this, but it might be cute on a little play fridge in a play kitchen.

Fun and whimsical. May not be MY style, but good on ya for being so daring & different. To each his own... respect that people!

i love it :-D maybe i am just not anal enough to be freaked out by the handmade look of it - i actually like that in particular. it looks cute and happy.

you could also put colored dot stickers---like the ones used for tag sales on the fridge.

Personally, I think the green dots just draw more attention to the "ugly" fridge. Adding a focal point in the room would draw the eye away more successfully I think.

K T G, I can't go along with your idea for toilet decor. Even if it was meant humorously, which it obviously was.

I thought the polka dotted fridge was cute and that the DIYer did a reasonable job of making it look orderly. I've seen some repainted fridges on this site -- I think they've done them with spray automative paints at professional paint shops -- and they've really rocked.

I've got a hideous hulking refrigerator from yesteryear in my kitchen, and it I wasn't so lazy/chicken I'd get it spray painted or do something else flamboyant with it. I rationalize my inaction by saying it's not as bad as the fake wood MDF cabinets in my kitchen and bathrooms, which I'm still sorting through alternatives to transform.

The one thing that I bear in mind is that every cent I don't spend on some of the things the landlord has imposed upon me is a cent going to a home of my own. I know Maxwell encourages people not to let the oppressiveness of rental property stop them ... and Maxwell, I'm trying. Once I have bought all of the nice things I can take with me, I'll start on those cabinets and the refrigerator.

I wouldn't do this as it is not my style, but I think she did a great job...and I love the polka dots swimming...such fun!

AustinSarah2-
I face a similar dilemma. My kitchen and bathroom both have a lot of elements that need work. The cabinets are cheesy looking, the bathroom has drop ceiling tile (yuck!), and the light fixtures are fleuroscent and unflattering. That said- the rest of my apartment is truly beautiful and won me over.

Seeing as I don't have the nicest furniture, I'm going to invest in a couch, some rugs, and a bookshelf. I would rather work on making the rest of my apartment phenomenal, than spend $$$ on repairs I can't take with me.

This is cute, but I would SO F it up if I tried doing it.