The Property Brothers swear by this aluminum foil paint tip

Jul 01, 2023

Could we find the solution to our painting woes in our kitchen cabinet? Jonathan and Drew Scott suggest so

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The power of paint is unrivaled when transforming a room, but there's no escaping that; sometimes, the intricate application process can be a challenge.

Of course, coloring large walls is more seamless, but the space around doorknobs and window ledges is notably more complex – or at least it was – until Jonathan and Drew Scott shared their aluminum foil paint trick.

While we may have formerly turned to painter's tape as a way to section off what needs painting, this method can be fiddly, especially around doorknobs. This is where they use aluminum foil.

For doorknobs, they take a small sheet of foil [such as this one from Amazon] and wrap it around the doorknob area. This inexpensive trick works instantly and ensures our handles remain paint-free for the entire renovation process.

'You can put it around the doorknob when painting a door, for example. Cling it right to the edges. It's very easy to work with, and anybody can do it,' Jonathan says on Today. 'Its form fits nicely; that's the easiest thing. You don't need to worry about edging with tape all the way around,' Drew adds.

However, this isn't the only foil-based paint tip that makes the renovation process easier. The brothers also use a sheet of aluminum foil to protect their tray – while making the cleaning process simpler. Instead of pouring the paint directly onto the tray, they lay a sheet of foil inside the tray before pouring the paint.

'When paint starts to dry on your actual tray, it's hard to get it off,' Jonathan says. 'You can just take this [foil], wrap the tray; then you can use this area and toss [the foil] away. The cleanup is easier and faster. Your tray is like new.'

And aluminum foil has its uses when preserving our paint brushes, too. To ensure they last longer, the brothers recommend wrapping them in foil, sealing the edges (to keep them airtight), and putting them in the freezer. This cold environment will keep the brushes fresh, we we can use them 'several times,' according to Jonathan.

'Or even [storing them in] the fridge is fine, as long as the foil is airtight. If it's airtight, you don't need to worry about cleaning it,' Drew adds.

For more advice from Drew and Jonathan, we're turning to their 'ultimate' decorating guide, available from Amazon below.

Dream Home: The Property Brothers' Ultimate Guide to Finding & Fixing Your Perfect House | $19.68 on Amazon

This book is a comprehensive guide to renovating by the design duo themselves. It covers the ins and outs of buying, selling, and renovating a house, with hundreds of full-color photos throughout.

Decor Ideas. Project Inspiration. Expert Advice. Delivered to your inbox.

Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.

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