Happy Friday: Making Use of FREE Paint Samples
I was able to make over an old bed-side table with free samples! Along with myself, my sister and mom also ordered Valspar samples too. I’ve had this old table for years and it was starting to look pretty bad and was in desperate need of an upgrade. I already had the sandpaper and I will probably keep the old knobs, making this project free! It will go perfectly in my son’s room. Thanks for all the great deals!
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Do you have a unique and “Hip” Photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card! 😀
How cute! I’m inspired.
I haven’t been getting your twitter updates for the past 2 days. Have they stopped working? Bug in the system? Maybe it’s my end, but I just thought I’d let you know. Thanks for everything!
We are aware that the Twitter feed is not working and are currently working on trying to get it fixed as quickly as possible.
I painted a bookshelf with one sample and and a dresser with another….lime green and teal:) I like color!
How big was your dresser! I’m wanting to paint a dresser but the sample says it is for 4X4 feet of space! 🙂
cute!!! i need to do something with my valspar samples!!
It sickens me that so many of you just got the samples because they were free, not because you actually intended to purchase the larger containers. I could not get one because they were gone every morning I got to the website. I would have used a sample to pick out a color for my living room, which was the reason for the creation of the Valspar program.
However if she hadn’t gotten the sample how would she know if she even liked the paint? Now in the future she will know if she likes it and perhaps next time she may buy some!
Hopefully next time you will get the deal. We can’t get every sample or deal. Don’t fret!
Who cares how it was used. It’s not like she let it go to waste. What makes you think that some of them aren’t going to buy it? If you intended to buy the gallons, what’s stopping you? My goodness.
Seriously? You can go to Lowe’s and buy those for like $3.00!!!
hmmmm…maybe they also intended that you try the product (hence the word sample) and if you liked it would think of them for future painting needs as well. Sounds like you just have a bad attitude since you couldn’t get one.
Seriously? Get over it.
Actually, if you go down to the store where they sell it….I think they will still give you a small sample. 🙂 I know at Home Depot they used to do that:-) Sorry you couldn’t get one.
Gosh, I miss out on stuff too, but no reason to be bitter. I ordered it for a small project and b/c I liked the ease of use & vivid colors, I am considering repainting my bathroom with Valspar. No reason to belittle someones project b/c you couldn’t get through.
They were giving away “free samples” – not “free samples, but only as long as your sign a contract stating you’ll buy one.” Besides, their hope (I can only assume) is that you’ll try it, like it, and then buy it, regardless of what you try it on. I am mostly looking for the $5.00 coupon, which is more valuable than the sample anyway. If you email them looking for a coupon, they’ll probably mail you one – most companies do. If not, buy the sample – all home improvement stores can mix sample sizes, for around 2-3 dollars Really, there’s no need to be “sickened” over a free sample. If I were there, I would give you a hug.
ok the hug comment just about made me pee my pants laughing LOLOL
lol Well, we could all use a hug sometimes! 😉
You know, it really would be more beneficial for you to develop a more positive attitude. Then maybe life will not seem so unfair or annoying. Instead of feeling “sickened”, you’d be happy for someone else’s good fortune. The mind is a very powerful thing….whatever you focus on will usually come to pass. If you’re a negative person, usually life doesn’t go well. If you’re more on the positive side, even the most difficult and stressful times are more bearable.
I’m normally not a rude person but people like you sicken me, everybody misses out on deals doesn’t mean you have to act like a little kid about it. I plan on using my free sample to paint a small unfinished toybox i have.
What’s the point in being so negative on a HAPPY FRIDAY post on Good Friday no less??! We are all here to stretch a dollar and yes, I feel the time I spend scoring freebies is worth money! Anything we can do to save some money and do some things we wouldn’t be able too otherwise should be looked on upon positively!!!
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. I think the dresser is cute. It’s great using samples for projects. That way you know if you like the sample and now have a cut re-vamped dresser. It’s killing two birds with one stone. Anway, awesome job and have a super happy Friday everyone!!! And thanks again Collin for everything you do.
Wow, unbelievable!!! They are “free samples” which means, no strings attached. It’s a case of first-come, first-served. Maybe next time you can clear the negative thoughts out of your head in time to get your sample too. Best wishes!
I’m sorry to hear that you can’t get that sample. But keep trying! I could get one for me after so many trying. And those companies want us to try their product. It doesn’t matter how many people might actually buy. They are investing their money to their sample for getting the future customers. That’s what the sample is all about. Hope you can get one next time.
Here at Hip2Save, we like to keep things positive. The purpose of the Happy Friday post is to either inspire you, make you smile, make you laugh, or just make you glad that it’s Friday. I personally was inspired by the reader’s picture and email highlighted above. What a creative way to make use of this sample.
Very nicely said Collin!
It sickens me that so many of you just got the samples because they were free, not because you actually intended to purchase the larger containers. I could not get one because they were gone every morning I got to the website. I would have used a sample to pick out a color for my living room, which was the reason for the creation of the Valspar program.
There has already been many (very true) comments made about this…and I wasn’t going to reply but…needless to say I can’t be quiet. this is honestly the only message board thingy I ever want to leave comments because usually everyone is so nice and i don’t feel like my comments will be judged by somoene and have rude things to say…this is really rude! how do you even know that people aren’t using the samples with the intent to buy? and obviously we all LOVE FREE here…isnt that one of the joys we all talk about lol? it took me a few times to get my sample…i also plan to use it for a small project. who are you to judge that? i don’t even think the people of valspar would care what we use them for. they just want to get their product out there..and they did and since they were so kind i’m sure many people will purchase from them including myself! but anyways HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND!!! (btw colllin i HEART your site so much!)
oops there is no place to go back and fix my comment. just wanted to claify that the first part was copied from the person who posted this comment and not me! sorry about that!
I agree with you 100%! I think a lot of the time people scramble to grab the freebies, for the sake that it’s FREE! Silly.
umm you are “sickened” jesus, if you are in that bad of a shape that you let it “sicken” you that others are getting a sample you didn’t get, then it seems to me that your issues are much larger than paint. I tried too and I too had something in mind to use the paint for. Instead of being sick over it and letting it piss me off, I just trucked my little self on down to the hardware store and purchased a sample sized container of the perfect color.
I ordered the free sample to paint the doll cradle that is going in my daughter’s room. Come to think of it, I ordered a color that I wanted to try out for the walls as well . . . . & when I went & bought the wall paint, Valspar was what I. And if I hadn’t? It would have been because I didn’t like my sample. Valspar knows this & is hoping you like your sample enough to buy more. What’s it to you, Lizard, if Valspar gives us samples?
I’m sick because I drank my free sample.
that really made me laugh, out of all the comments… my 5 month old is sitting on my lap while I read this and he also thought it was funny 🙂
Glad to hear! I was just trying to get people to forget about the negativity of that comment and remember it’s Happy Friday!
🙂
haha I wish there was a like button for some of these. There are quite a few I would have liked to like. (Zack yours in particular. Thanks for making us laugh).
I always try to reuse and re-purpose. I do not like to waste things, call it frugal, call it eco-friendly. Good for them to find something to put the paint on. (No I don’t believe on free for the sake of free – if it is something that will just go in the garbage then please do not get it / take it. However, if you will use it then please do).
P.S. I am guessing if these people have a room they would maybe like to paint they could try a small spot on the wall and still paint whatever else they wanted to. – it does not take very much paint to put a small sample on the wall.
lol you’re hilarious. i hope you are a bright and beautiful color on the inside now. oooooh decorative number 2! I’m all over it!
Hahaha that I’m sick because I drank my fee sample” comment made me LOL for real. I needed that…thanks!
Your comment made me giggle. Thanks for that. There just isn’t enough silliness in the world. 🙂
Wow, just wow. Have we humans come to the point were there is always someone trying to tear down others achievements? I bet most of the people who got the sample just let it sit in there house, but this lady, she used it! great job, great project, great idea!
Funny-I really laughed!
Zach, you made me laugh out loud, really loud. Thanks!
^^^^
Now that’s funny!!
hilarious!
OMG!!! I KNOW! THAT PEOPLE IS HORRIBLE! THEY STAND NEXT TO RAPISTS! Haha! Go buy a real sample! This are not samples FYI. and get over it!
Lizard, don’t be jealous. I’m going to paint a bird house with my free sample!
PS, get paint swatches from home depot and tape them to your living room wall. They’re free too.
Love the Valspar sample; it’s just enough for a quick project. I think I got the same shade of green (6010-10).
How big of an area did you paint? I’m wanting to paint a dresser but the sample says it is for 4X4 feet of space! 🙂
I used the sample to paint a sensory wall I am creating for my son! Perfect amount for the job I was doing….
I just bought a new house and was toying with different color ideas… I used the samples to paint a big enough swatch to decide what colors I loved and used the leftover to paint a mural on my baby girl’s new nursery wall!
Love the dresser:-) Very unique and colorful!! 🙂 Can’t wait to use mine, I haven’t gotten to it yet:-)
OH, and Happy Good Friday! Mine was I got a Glade coupon in the mail for a free spring collection (up to 3.99) product!!! Yay, for freebies!
I got mine in the mail today too! I went to the store and used my free bic coupon with my free Glade coupon (I got the candle) because I can never find a lighter when I want to light a candle. Perfect combo!
The samples are available at 9 a.m. even when they aren’t posted anywhere. It took almost a month of trying before I received mine.
Here’s how to get it: Go to the site now, choose your color. Set a reminder for 8:55 a.m.; sign up for your sample. You’ll receive it two or three days later. Hope your living room looks great. FYI: Benjamin Moore & Sherwin-Williams also offer free two ounce samples from time to time.
That’s exactly what I did. First day it took me too long to pick a color and I missed it. So I just checked around, looked at all the colors and options, got a couple of ideas. The following day at 9:55 (my time) I was all set to order. Thanks to my friends a got enough samples to paint one of the walls (not big) in my bedroom. I just ordered a wall decor from Amazon.com and can’t wait to put it together. A got a new house and a new baby and now it is all about the family and saving money for the family. I did miss on the duck tape which I could use but I am still happy and proud of my wall 🙂 And I agree everybody likes free but sometimes you need to work for it 😉
I got the good old standby color – white! Going to use mine to paint the kitchen window on the inside.
Collin this is soooo cute!! Great job!
On a side note, just a suggestion that I have…I was wondering if you could add a like button…kind of like Facebook does…or something similar? Sometimes there are comments here that crack me up or make me smile…and I just wish there were a button that I could click on to let them know…lol..just a thought I had..I am sure you have already thought about it though!
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!! Thanks for everything that you do! 🙂
Great idea! I would totally like your comment if there was the option 🙂
i used my paint sample to paint some picture frames ive had laying around… now, i will actually use the frames! 🙂
I got black to paint some old picture frames for my black and white picture wall!
I did the same thing – got black to paint old picture frames lying around, and got a white flat sample to fix the few spots I hit the ceiling with the roller while I was painting the color on the walls! It worked perfectly, you can’t even see where I hit the popcorn anymore. It even covered the “apple polish” red that I got on the ceiling by mistake!!! And I now have a lot of nice looking black picture frames in my stairway, yay!
I’m using mine for frames too!! I have been collecting unusual old picture frames for a while now. I planned to do them all white, but then with the paint samples I thought it would be adorable to do a couple with a bright accent color. And guess what? I went to the store and BOUGHT a different sample color too 🙂
This looks fantastic! Perfect for a boy’s room.
Awesome job!! So pop & cute!! 🙂
LOVE the table….2 of my favorite colors – yellow and green. I also ordered a beautiful yellow and have in mind painting a small cabinet. Your table looks great. THanks for posting. BTW, thanks for the entire website….I am starting to really get into couponing and this is a wonderful site. THANKS AGAIN……
Hi everyone!
I’m so excited my table made as Friday’s Hip Photo! Thanks to everyone for the great compliments (and some not so great… :/ ). I’ve still got to touch up around the edges but I loved the way it turned out and it only took one afternoon. Looks like everyone else has some great ideas too. I love the picture frame idea. And again thanks to Colin and her team of “hipsters” for always finding and posting these great deals!
Really awesome job!! Now I want to paint my kitchen table & chairs. Thank you for sharing your great photo! 🙂
Thanks again for sharing your pic with us Jessica!! Happy Friday!
It is very cute! You did a great job. 🙂
Jessica – it turned out so cute! The colors make me smile! 🙂 What a clever idea!
You did a great job painting that table… Very creative! Keep up the great work. You’ve inspired me to also do some Painting but I will get picture frames for that!!!
I think it looks sooo cute and it has given me more incentive to hurry up and paint my little guy’s table.
Don’t worry about the turd muffins! 😉 It is adorable and you did a great job!
I love how your table turned out! That was a really cute idea. Very creative 🙂
I’m wanting to paint a chest of drawers (four high) and was wondering if there would be enough? I know it says 4X4 but what did you personally think? How far did it go? Also, how does the paint feel? I hate the rough texture some paints have….I don’t know how to explain it! 🙂
I received my sample! I had to try several times before I “got lucky”. Hope people aren’t negative when things don’t go their way and offers run out. It’s all good! I’m thankful for what I get. And I think Valspar’s offer was VERY generous which makes me think more highly of the company. Plus, I already know I like their paint….great quality! Happy Friday everyone!!
Very cute table. I also received my first paint sample this week and was highly impressed. I will def buy Valspar bcs of the great service. Also rcv’d the UPS Sample Showcase package and P&G samples today. Thanks Collin for making my Friday HAPPY!
HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL, AND HAPPY EASTER, TOO!!!!!
awesome!!! I am actually also redoing a piece of furniture with my sample paint!!
Very bright colors! Very cute table!
ADORABLE! What a great idea and cute one of a kind piece of furniture – nice job and thanks for sharing!!
The table is adorable!! I got my sample. I was looking for a color for my kitchen. This wasn’t it(way too bright)! But I will use if for some small project. I actually purchase the small samples frequently for small projects! I will get some color sample cards and find the right color for my kitchen, then use the $5.00 coupon and buy a gallon. 🙂 Win/Win!
i love the dresser! missed out on the samples, and i’m sickened, but im’ pretty sure that was bad shrimp. I did get some paint samples awhile back and we are going to paint some white picture frames in crazy colors for my daughters room. I’m inspired to paint, with my 75% off behr rollers and brushes
i also am using my sample for small project. however, i have purchased many $3 paint samples in the past. it was nice to get a FREE one for a change !!!thanks!
Did you get them at Lowes? Do I just ask for paint samples?
they are at the paint counter @ Lowe’s
Thank you!!
This is too cute. I love it!
This is off topic, but I just made up my nephew’s Easter basket with all of the kid things you all have posted on here and I need to say a HUGE thank you to everyone because this basket is pretty amazing and cost me only $6.50! He is going to be such a happy little boy! Thanks so much!
I do not usually post ,but this was such a great project with the paint. Reminds of IKEA. Wonderful job and it inspired me. For the one that left the negative comment perhaps navigate back to the Downy and Tide pages. This is a friendly site not a ( why not me, why didn’t I get it, not fair) site.
Pmsing bc u didn’t get a sample? Lol. I set my alarm for most freebies, and yet majority of the time I don’t win the freebies. Either it took too long to fill out form, browser isn’t working/compatible, the freebie veterans just have their secrets for grabbing free stuff, or some signing up for more than one, etc. I probably miss out 80% of the freebiE giveaways! Guess what? I don’t cry about it, and simply move on! GET OVER IT. They’re just SAMPLES. Thanks!
While I understand someone might get upset that a person is able to get 3 of the paint samples and someone else keeps missing it and can’t get 1, this turned out really great and us reader’s should be happy for others when they get a deal/something free and share the result! 🙂
Oh, I completely agree. Some days, you win, and some days you don’t. LOL.
I’ve been out doing errands, or at work, and come home to find that I missed out on some awesome deal, that I really could use.
Haha, the entire time I was reading through the comments I thought that “Lizard” was an insulting name…not the actual commenter…
Me: “Since when has Lizard become such a popular insult…”
Happy Friday to me!
Oh my gosh your comment made me bust up….(quote)…”Since when has Lizard become such a popular insult”…… Who would have thought hipsters could use the word “lizard” and turn it into something like the word “winning”. If the word wasn’t an insult it probably has become one. But I’m not entirely sure lizard meant what she said as we all took it, and I hope she/he doesn’t feel bad because of all the comments. I love the table though, just wish I would have picked fun colors too and used my samples for something fun!
OMG, I’m crying!!
Hilarious!!
Love the painting job! Makes me wish I had something to redo! Ignore the haters! Lol
Cute nightstand, I Love HIP2SAVE and I have received lots of great samples that I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for HIP2SAVE and all of you that post your great finds. Happy Easter to all! 🙂
I did get the sample and I just used the 5.00 coupon. the paint with the primer worked great I purchased it at lowes 35.99 a gallon and used the coupon and also got a 5.00 rebate what a great deal. Dont know what to do with the sample.
This is the coolest project!! I absolutely LOVE this. I could never think of this on my own, but now that I’ve seen an example of your creativity, I’m thinking of all kinds of projects. Thanks for the idea. ….. I, too, was really impressed with the quality of the Valspar sample. Folks have been telling me for years that Valspar is top quality. I’m a believer now!
So just so I understand…people ordering free samples “sickens” you if they don’t buy a bigger sample?I wonder what you must think of me as sometimes I order coupons& don’t use them all…Oh& I’d like to say that there is WAY MORE IN THE WORLD TO BE “SICK”OVER-here’s some ideas in case you need some-all the storms hitting in the U.S(people Losing family members),our kids lack of educational resources or teachers at some schools,gas increasing which makes food higher,lack of jobs means lack of people able to stay in their housing(homelessness),lack of health care for the sick,and how about the war my Husband/our kids Daddy(for his third time proudly-us too as we support him))& lots of other soldiers(men or women)are in right now??Hope this post puts things into perspective for you.Life has way more “rain” to drop on you if you let paint samples ruin your day!Take care:-)
I got a soft, muted shade of yellow…I will try it out behind a large picture in the livingrm. I can judge the color in regards to lighting in the room and if it doesn’t pan out-will be nicely hidden behind the picture.
Great idea! I’ll remember that one!
I got my sample of green for repainting my kitchen. The color looked more muted in the photo but is too bright in person. I LOVE that the reader shared with us because it redirected my mind on another use of it. I was thinking, wow, I feel bad I got a color I can’t use. Now I can use it for some else.
I really appreciated the high value coupon. Have already looked at Lowe’s in person and found a more appropriate color.
Collin, I appreciate all your hard work AND your positive attitude. A good quote for all today:
“In the end, the pessimist may be right but the optimist has a better time on the trip!”
Super cute project!!!!
Thanks Collin for the idea I need to paint my daughters furniture but didnt have a clue what I was going to do. I did not get the free sample because I figured that I didnt need it and then you just gave me this idea. I will now purchase this brand. Also alot of free samples are given out not only so that you will buy the product but also that you will tell everyone you know how well it works. I do alot of FREE haircuts and color in the hopes that people will tell everyone they know how happy they are with me!
Thanks for the idea
I received my sample for a possible kitchen re-do project. We all decided we liked the color not to mention that my kitchen didn’t stink to high heaven after putting a swatch on the wall. I’ve already gone out and used the $5 coupon to purchase a gallon, and will tackle the project when the kids are out of school in June. I used the remainder of the sample paint to re-do my greandmother’s sewing table, plus painted an old wooden box so we could use it in our stockpile area.
To Lizard: My advice to you, in general, is to not be so judgemental. You expressed such a negative thought in such a negative manner and got nothing out of it except coming off as bitter and resentful. Unless you are, in fact, a bitter and resentful person, think before you post a comment like that next time. You can’t possibly know what we are all doing with are samples and whether or not we “deserved” to get them. I used mine not only to get an actual gallon of paint from Valspar, but I also used up the rest of the sample paint instead of letting it go to waste. For goodness sake, lighten up. You’ll be a much happier person.
Collin: Thanks for posting Jessica’s project. It was a very nice “Happy Friday” item 🙂
I used and love my Valspar sample!! I work with the public I have to agree with Shannon they should give out more hug samples I know lots of people who could use them!! and the best if they dont like theyre hug people can always return them Happy Friday! 🙂
Just wondering: Have you ever sampled something at the grocery store and then did not purchase that item? Really, this is no different. Samples are designed simply to gain interest.