Hoop, there it is. File this under one of my stranger “Dude, Get On That Already” projects. Like many of our other DGOTA adventures, this quick update started with something that had been nagging me for months and a trusty can of spray paint. This time it wasn’t even a pet — surprise!
John laughed at this little tweak (and I expect some of you will too), but sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference. Every time we pulled into the driveway I kept seeing a bright red and blue plastic hoop against the back wall of the carport. It was so loud you could spot it from the curb, and honestly it made me cranky. I worried neighbors might think it looked tacky — everyone around us keeps their yards tidy and toys usually get tucked away each evening. So because I’m what my dad calls “a strange bird” (I’ve been odd long before quirky was a thing), I’ll share my slightly eccentric but effective DIY hoop fix. Just don’t compare me to Monica from Friends — I don’t alphabetize my underwear, promise.
First of all, this little basketball hoop is important.
Why? Because it makes Clara happy. A happy girl equals a happy mom. My goal was simple:
- Keep the hoop where it works best — in the carport (we tried other spots; this one won).
- Keep it fully functional — no compromises on play.
- Tone down the visual shout from the curb so it blends in better with the yard and house.
My solution: one can of oil-rubbed bronze (ORB) spray paint. Would you expect anything less? I’m not one of those people who insists all kids’ toys be neutral — Clara’s toys are delightfully colorful. I’ve painted her hand-me-down highchair bright yellow, built and painted a cheerful dollhouse, and turned a neutral wooden crayon truck sky blue. But after months of returning home to that glaring red hoop, I figured painting one item a muted tone wouldn’t hurt the overall vibrancy of her playthings. In fact, her favorite “toys” are rocks and sticks, so ORB actually fits pretty well.
I didn’t snap a great pre-paint photo of the hoop in all its primary-color glory (blogger fail), so I made a quick rendering to show you how glaring it used to be. Yes, that’s a little over-the-top — but honest.
In one real photo you can spot it peeking around the back of the table — even brighter in person than in the mock-up. For painting, I removed the net so it wouldn’t get clogged with paint and set the hoop out in the yard ready for a fresh coat.
Visible from the curb? Absolutely. Visible after a quick ORB makeover? Not so much.
I used Rust-Oleum Universal All-Surface spray paint in oil-rubbed bronze, which is formulated for plastic and outdoor use and includes a built-in primer for good adhesion. I already had half a can leftover from another project, so this cost me nothing. The whole job took under twenty minutes. Fast, effective, and free — why didn’t I do this months ago?
The finished hoop looks great. ORB ties into the carport light and other dark exterior accents, and it hides dirt better than a lighter color would. It no longer screams “look at me” from the street; instead it’s more subdued and blends with the surroundings. The white net remains, offering contrast so Clara can still see the basket clearly when she plays.
Small personal projects like this are my favorites. They might seem silly to some, but little changes can really lift your mood. I’m a terrible baker who won’t attempt a three-layer cake, but painting a hoop? That’s my kind of quick win. Cheers to small victories (picture me raising a can of spray paint).
In short: Mommy likes it, and happily, Clara and Daddy do too. From halfway down the driveway the hoop hardly stands out anymore. Life is good.
There are still dozens of bright toys around (our living room is proof), so this toned-down hoop doesn’t make playtime dull. The best part: Clara seems to love the new color and has started calling it her “so so shiny hoop.” She still has a pile of colorful balls that store nearby, so when the hoop is in use it’s anything but drab. Everyone wins.
Except for Burger — he can’t play basketball. Poor guy.
What small, quirky, or long-overdue updates have you tackled lately? Anyone else spray-painting something outdoors, or have a dog who plays basketball? That would truly be impressive.