After buying a fresh new [or pre-loved] pair of roller skates, you're enjoying that initial buzz—admiring their sleek look, feeling their perfect fit, and soaking up the excitement of finally getting in on the action. But as time goes on—especially as you become more involved in the skate culture and see the limitless creativity of other skaters—you might start feeling the urge to switch things up a bit. That once perfectly polished [and slightly generic] look no longer feels quite you, and the need to personalise begins to creep in [yep, I can testify to this as I've certainly been there a good few times!]. The good news? There are endless ways to customise your roller skates, letting you refresh your setup with a finish that’s uniquely yours.

The best part? You don’t have to go with an expensive custom build through a skate shop—there are plenty of ways to customise your roller skates at home with simple tools and readily available materials.

Here are some creative ways to give your skates a fresh, personalised look!

1. Add Some Sparkle with Rhinestones

A little bling can go a long way towards switching up the look of your skate boots! Using flat-back rhinestones and strong adhesive, you can G—up your boots in the most spectacular way! Go for an all-over glam effect using rhinestones of various colours and sizes, or create subtle accent designs like stars, hearts, or stripes. You could also choose to combine the colours or go for holographic stones to make your skates pop.

Pro Tip: Use E6000 glue, Gorilla glue or another strong craft adhesive to ensure your rhinestones stay put when you're ready to get your skates on.

2. Paint Your Skate Boots for a One-of-a-Kind Look

Why stick to stock colours when you can completely transform your boots with a touch of paint? Whether you want a solid colour, fade, or a detailed design, painting your skates is one of the best ways to truly personalise them. It just takes a bit of creative vision and a steady [possibly experienced artistic] hand. The image below shows the brush paint job I did in my artistic skates last year. I used standard metal paint on the plates, the lace eyelets and the cloth design accross the boot. 

What You’ll Need:

Leather paint [for leather or synthetic leather skates]

Fabric paint or acrylic paint [for polyester or suede]. I've used this option on my Roces ... [and it's held its lustre more than 3 years on].

Nail Varnish: This is a great option for the eyelets of the lace holes or if you only need a small amount of paint on a specific area of your boots.

Masking or Duc tape [to section off areas for clean designs].

Make sure to prep your boots by giving them a good clean beforehand and lightly sanding [if needed] before applying the paint for a long-lasting finish.

Work out exactly what you want to achieve first and then go for it.

3. Change the Colour of Your Skate Plates

Most beginner skaters don’t think about changing their plates when customising their skates, but why not? With the right paint, you can transform them into a bold statement piece. I've done this twice already [once while the plate was detached, the other whilst it was still in place with just the wheels removed].

How to Do It:

If you’re particularly handy with an electric drill, you could replace the existing skate plate with another—more colourful option. I chose to do exactly that with my hockey skate conversions, switching out the generic black Playmaker plate for a green Powerdyne plate [as seen in the image below].

If you’re not so handy with the tools, you could use spray paint designed for metal or plastic (depending on your plate material) for a polished finish. If you haven't got time for that, then you can take the less polished route and just slap it on with a brush :)

A small tin of good-quality metal paint is all you need if you're going with the brush option. You can apply it to your steel plates, lace hole eyelets or boot itself [as I did].

Sand the surface lightly for better adhesion.

Use a clear top coat to seal the paint and prevent chipping [or not if you're not that fussed like me:]

Want something extra unique? Try a chrome, glitter, or pearlescent finish!

 Just make sure that you allow the paint to dry thoroughly between applications to avoid lumps, bumps and smudges!

I've not personally tried to paint a plastic plate --but it can be done with the right paint!

4. Switch Up Your Wheels for a New Look

Swapping out your wheels isn’t just about performance—it’s also one of the easiest ways to customise your skates for that unique [and often refreshed] look. Go all one colour for a sleek, coordinated look.

Try mismatched wheels for a fresh personalised or high-energy vibe.

Use glow-in-the-dark or LED wheels for extra flair [and safety] on those evening street skates.

Since wheels come in different hardness levels, you can also pick wheels that match both your style and your skating surface. Functionality doesn't have to be comprised at all.

You will need a hex [skateboard] tool to detach your wheels, but once you get started, You'll see just how easy it is.

5. Experiment with Lace Colours and Patterns

Never underestimate the power of new laces! Swapping out your standard laces for something bold—like neon, metallic, or two-tone laces—is a quick and affordable way to refresh your skates. The quickness of this particular up-do makes it all the more fun. I went for a gold and brown lace combo of my hockey skate conversions a year ago [and I still love the look of them today]

Try These Lace Patterns:
✔ Checkerboard lacing for a funky, retro vibe
✔ Crisscross lacing with two different lace colours
✔ Bar lacing for a clean, minimalist look

You can even layer a thin ribbon or elastic cord over your regular laces for a more unusual finish. Also, you can easily jaz up skates with some colourful skate socks.

6. Use Stickers, Stencils & Tape for Unique Designs

For a non-permanent customisation method, stickers and tape are the good way to go [whilst also offering a bit of protection from inevitable knocks and scrapes].

Vinyl stickers: Waterproof and long-lasting, perfect for adding quick designs.

Duc or medical tape: This one's a favourite among UK street skaters. It's quick, effective, and easily refreshed. 

Stencils + spray paint: Create intricacies on Final Thoughts: Make Your Skates Truly Yours

Fluorescent Lights: Attach a set of lights to the plates or around the ankle [after you lace up] for a spectacularly high-vis finish.

Your skates are an extension of your personality, and with these creative tricks, you can customise your skates at home without breaking the bank. Whether you'redessing up your boots with rhinestones, painting them with bold colours, or switching up your wheels and laces, the possibilities are endless!

Which method are you most excited to try? Let us know how you plan to customise your roller skates and show off your unique style!

Final Thoughts: Make Your Skates Truly Yours

Your skates are a reflection of your personality, and with these creative embellishments, you can customise your roller skates at home on a shoestring. Whether you're adding some rhinestone dazzle to your boots, painting your plates, or switching your wheels and laces, the possibilities are most certainly endless!

Which aspect of do-it-yourself customisation are you most excited to try? Let us know how you plan to use these creative approaches. 

Kelly

Cranial Osteopath | Wellbeing Coach | Roller Skate Instructor

Skate Base London

Is there something else you do to customise your skates? Let us know in the comments below.