It’s time for an outdoor decor makeover! I’m going to take you through the steps I used for my painted plastic flower pot transformation. You are not going to believe the before photo of the pot I used!
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
I wanted to brighten up a small patio that’s in front of my husband’s workshop. The area has always looked too plain so I decided a couple of chairs for a seating area, and a flower planter with some personality were needed.
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PAINTED PLASTIC FLOWER POT
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- plastic flower pot
- Krylon outdoor spray paint
- Helmsman spar urethane spray
- Rustoleum comfort grip (optional)
- frog tape (Home Depot)
- trash bags
- craft paint for making dots
WHAT KIND OF SPRAY PAINT TO USE ON PLASTIC?
I used Krylon Colormaxx spray paint which dries very quickly in between coats, works well on plastic, and is for outdoor use. The colors I used are Gloss Sun Yellow, Satin Pistachio, and Satin Island Splash.
Since I used craft paint to make dots on the pot, I needed outdoor protection so I sprayed Minwax Helmsman spar urethane on the flower pot.
I chose to also use a Rust-Oleum comfort grip attachment that’s made especially for spray paint cans to prevent “finger fatigue.” I found one hanging next to the spray paint section.
HOW TO PAINT A PLASTIC FLOWER POT
STEP 1 – CLEAN YOUR FLOWER POT
As you can tell, the pot hadn’t been used in a very long time! I’m sure most people would have just thrown it away, but I saw the potential. I found it at the bottom of a pot pile in my parent’s backyard, and I can’t resist anything that’s free!
I used Lysol cleaner and a hand brush to scrub through the dirt and algae stains. The bottom of the pot was “too far gone,” but it won’t be seen so no worries.
STEP 2 – PLAN YOUR COLORS AND DESIGN
There are 2 main areas and 4 thin sections on my pot. I chose turquoise and green for my main colors and bright yellow for one thin accent section.
I originally wanted to use a detailed stencil for painting a design on the main green section, but you’ll find out later why that plan fell through and I went with dots instead.
STEP 3 – SPRAY PAINT YOUR FIRST SECTION
It’s not necessary to tape off for your first color. I started spray painting the turquoise areas first. You can get your desired coverage in a short amount of time since Krylon Colormaxx dries quickly between coats.
I sprayed about 5 coats for each section to get full coverage.
TIP – Spray in a short, quick, one direction motion. Do not spray in a back and forth motion because this will be too much paint at one time and will cause your paint to sag.
STEP 4 – TAPE OFF FOR THE 2nd PAINT SECTION
I waited a day before placing tape over the first color because I wasn’t sure about the cure time for the paint.
Use frog tape for taping off to make a crisp paint edge. I used the long edge of yard bags to wrap and tape around the pot.
I was originally going to paint my yellow accent color at the very top of the pot, but later changed my mind. That’s why you’ll see some color inconsistencies in my photos compared to the completed pot.
OPTIONS FOR FLOWER POTS TO PAINT
20 Inch Round Planter – Sandstone
Buy Now →STEP 5 – TAPE OFF THE ACCENT SECTION
I used the same trash bag method, as illustrated above, to tape off for my yellow accent stripe. I waited a day before taping off the accent section because, again, I wasn’t sure of the paint cure time.
STEP 6 – PAINT POLKA DOTS OR APPLY STICKERS
I hand painted my polka dots, but I recommend purchasing yellow polka dot stickers (office supply store), or if you have a Cricut you can make your polka dots. I didn’t go out searching for dots because of the virus.
My original plan was to stencil a design on the green section. I found out that craft paint doesn’t work well at all on the pot so I went with polka dots and just painted several coats to get full coverage.
TIP – Whichever way you decide to make your dots, be sure to protect them from the weather with the Helmsman spar urethane spray.
I’m so happy with all the color and personality the side patio has now! It’s amazing how adding a seating area and a flower pot makeover can make a small patio look more inviting. Is this a project that you would try?
MORE OF MY PAINTED OUTDOOR PROJECTS YOU MAY LIKE:
PAINTED TOAD HOUSES FOR THE GARDEN
HOW TO MAKEOVER OUTDOOR METAL ART – EASY DIY
FOLLOW ME ON Â PINTERESTÂ FOR MORE DIY CRAFTS AND DECOR INSPIRATION!
I’ve joined a group of awesome bloggers who are also sharing their outdoor decor and entertaining ideas with you! You’ll find links to their amazing projects below so be sure to visit each one. Don’t miss out!
SEE MORE OUTDOOR DECOR & ENTERTAINING IDEAS BELOW!
MEET THE PARTICIPATES:
Purple Hues & Me
Stone Cottage Adventures | Southern Sunflowers
Slices of Life | Sew Crafty Crochet | Sum of Their Stories
CLICK THE BLUE BUTTON BELOW TO BE REDIRECTED TO SEE EACH PROJECT.
Sharing this painted pot makeover at these FABULOUS BLOGS!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allyson LauderAllyson is the founder and content creator of Southern Sunflowers. She shares tutorials for DIY crafts and decor on a budget.
Beautiful cheery planter – from blah to glam! I started working with spray paint to refresh our outdoor decor – it’s a lot easier to work with than expected – I”m regretting I waiting this long to try. Congrats on the feature! (seen through Inspire My Monday)
Thank you! The spray paint I used was great because it was a fast drying formula which made my project go so much quicker than I had anticipated. Thanks for visiting!
Such a happy flower pot! I sure do love the color combinations and great DIY tips too!
Jemma
Thank you for the compliments! The flowers are filling in nicely in my “new” pot. Thanks for dropping by!
This looks so delightful! You did such a great job of it. It would make me smile seeing those polka dots.
Thanks for your compliments, Lisa! I’m a polka dot lover, for sure, just finished another project today adorned with polka dots.
Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #OverTheMoon this week. Each Hostess displays their own features so be sure to visit me on Sunday evening and to see your feature! I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
Thanks again for featuring my flower pot makeover! Much appreciated:)
Thanks again for featuring my flower pot makeover! Much appreciated 🙂
That turned out so cute! I love the colors.
Thank you, Pam! The colors really brighten up my side patio. Thanks for dropping in!
This is really cute and inspiring! I will never throw away a plastic pot agin – not when I can paint them 🙂
Thanks
Rachelle
Glad you like my flower pot! I hate to throw anything away when spray paint can come to the rescue. Thanks for visiting!
These are so cute! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thank you, Cecilia! I’m glad I had something new to share that fits in with your party. Thanks for letting me share!
Wow, what a transformation! The polka dots are so cute. I probably would have just handpainted them, too. They turned out great.
Thank you, Cynthia! Glad you like my flower pot. I love polka dots and had to add them for some whimsy.
I am so thrilled for you that your darling pot is a Feature on virtually all of the linky parties I link up to this week! It is so adorable, and you are so deserving of these features! I love it to pieces! Congrats on a huge success! Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings
Thank you so much for your kind words and for being so supportive!! I appreciate your support! 🙂
I love this flower pot!! Gives me inspiration to paint some of my old pots! Love it!!
Yay, glad you like my pot! I still have many more to paint, too. Thanks for dropping in!
I just love the colors you picked for this post, so Spring-like!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you, Carrie! My side patio definitely needed some color. Thanks for visiting!
Very cute flower pot makeover and I love the pretty colors and fun polka dots! Pinned 🙂
Thank you, Marie! I’m so glad you like my painted pot well enough to pin ~ I get excited when I get a pin.:)
What a transformation! Love how bright and cheery it is!!
Thanks, Pamela! That side patio needed all the color it could get. Thanks for dropping in!
Looks great! So much better than the plain one! And your flowers are lovely; I especially love the yellow and red go with your chairs. Thanks for joining us for Friday Favorites. I’m featuring you this week!
I’m so glad you like my flower pot makeover enough to feature it! Thank you very much! 🙂
Allyson,
You made those plastic pots look fabulous. Congratulations, you are being featured at Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by.
https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/05/thursday-favorite-things_21.html
Hugs,
Bev
Thank you again, Bev! It’s always exciting to get a feature! 🙂
I love any project that reuses what we already have! Thanks for sharing, and this is one of my features this week! Stop by and say hello, and thanks for linking to EHH!
Thanks again for featuring my flower pot makeover! I’m very appreciative 🙂
What a fun transformation!
Thanks! I’m really happy how the makeover turned out. Thank you for visiting!
So cute!! I can’t believe it’s a plastic pot, great job!!
Thank you, Jenna! Glad you like my pot makeover. Thanks for dropping by!
Thank you, Jenna! So glad you like my flower pot makeover. Thanks for visiting!
This is so cute Allyson! I love how colorful you made this planter! Thank you so much for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens Link Party!
Thank you! The side patio really needed a lot of color. Thanks for visiting!
Nice! I will be Featuring your post at Funtastic Friday Link Party 281 this Thursday, 5/21.
Thank you so much, Donna! So exciting! 🙂
Very cute!
Thank you!
What a fun idea! Love the transformation, it turned out great!
Thanks, so glad you like my flower pot! Paint does amazing things. Thank you for visiting!
This is so pretty! I have some old pots that need a makeover, but they’ll have to wait until the weekend since we’re expected rain all week. The trash bag trick is a great idea! Very clever!
Thank you, Michelle! I’ve painted 3 pots so far and I have many more to makeover. Thanks for dropping by! 🙂
Very nice! It looks so bright and fun with the red chairs.
Thank you, Donna! That little patio really needed lots of color. Thanks for visiting!
The pot looks so cute! What a great upcycle. Thank you for linking with us @ #HomeMatters
Thank you ~ I’m glad you like it! It’s always fun to see what everyone shares at your party. Thanks for visiting!
This is a really cute upcycle. So very summery and cute. I love it. Thank you for sharing with #omhgww, be well.
Thank you! The pot colors and flowers really brighten up the patio. Thank you for the pin!!
What a transformation!!! Love the color choices…so bright! I’m going to try your tip of spray painting in one direction rather than back and forth the next time I spray paint.
Thanks, Sherry! My husband gave me the spray paint tip and it really makes a difference. Thanks for dropping by!
I love this makeover, that old pot is transformed! It’s great to know what paints work well for this kind of project too, thanks.
Thanks, Julie ~ it’s amazing what some paint can do! Thanks for dropping by:)
I love the colour combination of blue and yellow, very pretty.
Thank you for the compliments and thanks for visiting! 🙂
Allyson,
I LOVE this sweet transformation!! I should do that with some of my pots before I plant my annuals in them…We have had frost warnings for the past 3 days so I have not bought any flowers yet….Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing this idea!! Love the color of your chairs too!!
Hugs,
Deb
So glad you like my flower pot makeover! We had those warnings as well and I had to bring all my outside flower pots inside the house. I’m happy it’s finally warm now!
I used 45-gallon food grade plastic barrels to make pots for my cabin deck. I didn’t want the blue colour so used the same spray paint. I found with mine that over time the paint peeled. The second time I used a spray degreaser and wire brush to clean the surface and it worked much better. I also learned that an old faded and distressed barrel worked much better holding the paint to its surface. – Margy
I agree, I thought it was a good thing my pot was scratched up badly, plus I added the outdoor coating because of the polka dot craft paint. Thanks for visiting!
Allyson, the pot is really gorgeous! I love the color scheme, and the sense of whimsy.
Michelle
Thank you so much for the compliments and thanks for visiting!
How pretty, looks nice and cheerful! Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 12, open May 1 to 26. All party entries shared if social media buttons installed.
Thank you and thanks for dropping by!
This is so bright and cheerful! I love it! Plus the polka dots. I have a stack of plain pottery planters in my garage and now I am ready to paint them! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Thank you! I’m so glad you like my flower pot and that it got you motivated to start painting. Thanks for visiting!
That turned out beautiful. I love the colors you picked. You’ve inspired me to look back through my pile of pots and see what I can do. Pinned.
Thank you! I have even more old pots that I’m slowly working through to spruce them up. Thanks for pinning!
Great flower pot transformation! It looks so colorful and fun! I have a couple large flower pots that definitely could use a makeover!
Thank you! Our side patio was just too boring and needed a splash of color.
Your pot came out so pretty and i love how it brightens things up! The color combo is perfect for spring and summer.
Thanks so much for the blog visit today on transplanting seedlings. I hope you have a nice week!
Glad you like my pot, Julie! That side of the yard really needed some color.
This turned out beautifully! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you ~ glad you like my pot makeover! Thanks for visiting!
What a pretty transformation, Allyson! The colors are perfect and I love the design! Makes for an awesome outdoor statement!
Thank you, Gail! I love polka dots so I had to get them on the pot in some way!
I love it! I”m sure you get to enjoy it plenty sitting in those awesome chairs too. Such great colors and perfect for spring and summer. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you! This makes the third seating area we have and we plop down according to when one is in the shade.
I love the colorful new look of the planter, Allyson. The tip of using the trash bag is great. What a pretty summer setting this is along with your chairs. We’re delighted to have you join the group!
Thank you, Beverly! The group is fun with the themes, and is great motivation to complete my projects. 🙂