Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
DIY Leather Shoe Makeover: Transform Old Shoes with Paint & Simple Tricks
If you’ve got a pair of leather shoes sitting in your closet looking a little tired, don’t toss them—transform them. With the right tools and a little creativity, you can turn worn-out basics into stylish, custom pieces that look brand new (or even better than new). This easy DIY leather shoe makeover is beginner-friendly, budget-conscious, and surprisingly EASY and fun.
Before and after!
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The Creative Inspiration
I love to paint. I always have. It calms any anxiety I have, it calms my mind and it makes me feel successful every time I do it. I have painted on numerous fashion items over the years, including my leather painted purse which I LOVE how it turned out. So, these old white shoes were laying in my closet, unused, and one day I just decided they needed some new life with some COLOR. So, this quick makeover project idea was born.
My Reebok shoes I used for this tutorial are really comfy, so I wanted to give myself more reasons to wear them, and with this dose of color and charms, I’ll wear them proudly even more now!
These shoes are me!
See my leather painted purse project in my 1-minute YouTube video below via my channel @carolynjbraden:
✨ Why Revamping Old Shoes Is a Smart (and Sustainable) Move
Before we jump in, let’s talk about why this project is worth doing:
Reduces waste: Millions of shoes end up in landfills each year. Giving your shoes a second life keeps them out of the trash.
Saves money: A makeover costs a fraction of buying new shoes.
Lowers your fashion footprint: Producing new shoes uses water, energy, and raw materials—revamping what you already own is far eco-friendlier.
Encourages creativity: You get a one-of-a-kind design no one else has.
Supports slow fashion: It’s all about reusing, reimagining, and making thoughtful style choices.
My new favorite shoe!
💡 Simple Tricks That Make a Big Impact
Stick to neutral bases (like a white shoe) + then add bold accents for a trendy look
Use painter’s tape for crisp lines
Refresh the soles with a shoe eraser for a full glow-up
Match your makeover to your wardrobe for maximum wearability
Check out my 1-minute video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here and to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
How to Customize Leather Shoes with Paint (Step-by-Step)
🛠️ What I Used for My Shoe Makeover
Links go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, or Lowe’s where we source our supplies based on discounts, budget and pricing.
For this project, I gave new life to my trusty
Reebok Women’s Classic Harman Run Shoe using:
Angelus Leather Paint Kit (perfect if you’re starting out, comes with brushes and the prep/deglazer)
A fun lace + charm set from Amazon
A clean cloth + mild soap or a shoe eraser like I used (gets rid of scuffs)
Plastic drop cloth or garbage bag (to help prevent messes)
Cleaning the shoes first is key!
👟 Step-by-Step: How to Paint Leather Shoes
1. Clean Your Shoes Thoroughly
Start by laying your shoes on a drop cloth, the remove dirt, oils, and residue. Use a damp cloth with mild soap and let them dry completely. I used a shoe eraser to erase marks on my shoes and soles. Clean shoes = paint that actually sticks.
Deglazing too helps the paint stick
2. Prep the Leather Surface
Lightly wipe the leather with a prep solution (or rubbing alcohol). I used the deglazer and a brush that came with my kit. This helps remove any factory finish so the paint adheres better.
The paint needs to be added in thin layers
3. Apply Thin Layers of Paint
Using Angelus Leather Paint, apply thin, even coats. Think about your design before you start painting, then go for it! If you mess up, just splatter paint them…no one will know you made a mistake and they’ll look fun like my splatter painted shorts!
Let each coat dry before adding another
Use painters’ tape to mask off areas if you don’t have a steady painting hand yet
Build color slowly (thin coats) for the smoothest finish
Use small brushes for detail work
GO SLOW! This prevents messes.
Use a damp pointy cotton swab to remove errors before they dry
💡 Pro tip: Multiple thin coats always look better than one thick coat. I lost count of how many coats of red I did…it was around 6 coats to make it look even. Red paint is known to take a lot of coats. I did about three coats of the pink and 4 coats of the gold.
Adding gold accents
4. Add Personality with Details
This is where your creativity shines:
Color blocking
Metallic accents
Patterns or simple designs
The red needs lots of layers
I kept mine clean and fresh with updated color accents to modernize the look. I chose colors that coordinated well; pinks, reds and golds. I also thought about what I was going to wear them with the most, and used that as color inspiration.
Adding fun laces and charms
5. Swap Laces + Add Charms
Upgrading your laces makes a huge difference. I used a lace and charm kit from Amazon to instantly elevate the vibe and make the shoes feel totally custom.
6. Seal the Paint
Finish with a sealant to protect your design from cracking or fading. I did not add this, as it’s not necessary, but you can use it for extra protection or the change the sheen of your paint.
Just looking at these makes me happy!
🎉 The Final Result
My old Reebok Women’s Classic Harman Run Shoe went from slightly worn and forgettable to fresh, stylish, and totally me. The best part? It cost way less than buying a new pair—and feels even more special because I customized them myself.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Revamping leather shoes isn’t just a DIY project—it’s a small but meaningful step toward more sustainable living. Instead of constantly replacing items, you’re learning to reinvent what you already have. And honestly? That’s where the magic happens.
Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💚 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
If you loved this article, we know you’ll love this one too: These Painted Jeans Will Make Your Denim Look Designer
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.