Sprucing Up The Yard With Upcycled Dollar Store Planters
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I absolutely love the lazy days of summer so I did a little sprucing up in the backyard using some dollar store planters and lots of flowers. Summer is all about bonfires, grilling, beach days and pool days, sleeping in, the smell of suntan lotion, and good times with the people you love. Sure the kids can get on each other’s nerves (and mine) but it sure beats homework, tests, packed lunches, and running from place to place, right!
We love to entertain so sprucing up the yard is something I love to do every spring. We have been lucky this year with lots of April showers, you know what that means, all those flowers are just going to keep getting bigger and bigger!
I found these plastic flower pots at the 99 cent store, score! They were the perfect shape and size, they just needed a little extra love so they no longer looked like plastic.
Project Supplies
Deco Art Americana Chalky Finish Paint, 8-Ounce, Vintage
Deco Art Americana Chalky Finish Paint, Lace
Americana Decor Creme Wax Or Minawx Sealer
Plastic pots
Minwax Wood Stain, Ebony
I gave my pot a quick wipe down with a damp sponge to get any residue off. If you are working with used pots you may have to give it a light sanding. Next I gave it 1 coat of Americana Decor Chalky Paint in the color serene. Chalky paint dries very quickly so I was able to put my second coat on right away, this time I used the color Lace. Next, using a paint brush I very lightly painted on a coat of dark ebony stain. Using a damp cloth I wiped the whole pot to take off any extra stain and give it that aged look. Lastly, I gave it a quick seal using a paint brush. (you can use a Minwax or you can use the cream wax, both will protect the pot)
That’s it! Aren’t they cute?
This is going to be our first summer enjoying our new outdoor fireplace we just completed a few months back. You can read all about it here and find out how to make your own.
I simply decorated it with lots of flowers, a few comfy chairs, some accessories from the 99 cent store, lanterns and a bottle of wine to enjoy. We need to complete refinishing our table and stringing lights then our yard will be ready for lots of entertaining!
Below is a handful of other projects I have completed using the chalky paint, so fun!
Painted Pots
Antiqued Pots
Armoire Transformation
Vintage Armoire Transformation
Painted Gift Tags
DIY French Antique Basket
Make sure to check out all of my fabulous friends’ Sensational Summer Outdoor Spaces for a ton of inspiration!
Kristen, i envision lots of great nights sitting on that patio with your kids toasting marshmellows and you guys sitting there taking it all in. beautiful.
Perfection in my eyes 🙂
What a great idea, girl! Bravo!!! Give me some of that wine!
You have created such a beautiful outdoor space! I love the fireplace, and those planters fit in so nicely!
Thank you Cristina, so sweet of you!
This is such a great idea, Kristin! Your outdoor space always makes me a bit giddy ~ it’s so beautiful and your planter upcycle is the perfect complement to it!
I’m so glad to be partying with you ~ hugs, mb
Thanks so much Mary Beth!
I love decorating our outdoor living room with lanterns and plants. The fireplace is beautiful!
Wonderful idea, Kristin and much more affordable (not to mention lighter and easier to move) than a regular pot. Every time I see that fireplace, I fall into a swoon!
Kristin, I absolutely love your planters. They sure do not look dollar tree ish! Enjoy your patio this summer. It looks beautiful.
WHAT A GREAT IDEA KRISTEN!!! LOVE HOW YOUR PLANTERS TURNED OUT. I have a few plastic planters in my shed. Going to get them out and give them a bright coat of paint!!!
I am sooo jealous of your beautiful outdoor space! I painted some old pots I found for the porch but I’ll definitely check out our Dollar Tree for more so I can try your technique. As always, thanks for the great post!
as always….great ideas and easy! Thanks!
Well, you “know” I already covet your fabulous fireplace and now you can add your awesome upcycled planters to the list (said as I stare at our empty deck that I just finished stained **sigh**). Thanks for the fabulous inspiration, friend … I needed this!
You know I’m in love with that fireplace. I’m an obsessive gardener, so for me, its the deck, patio, AND porch that get the summer lovin’. 😉
Those pots turned out great and you know I’m totally jealous of your outdoor fireplace… you’re going to have some great memories there this summer!
Great project! You’d never guess those are 99 cent pots!
Thank you Bettsi, they were so fun to make 🙂
What a great upcycle – they look beautiful! And that fireplace of yours has always been a favorite of mine. Happy summer my friend!
You are so sweet Jenn, thank you!
Love these! How many pots were you able paints with these supplies?
Oh my, I painted 4 pots and have enough to paint 20 more
I’m really interest to know how the paint lasted, now that a year has passed? I have some old pots very similar and would love to paint them like this. Does it last? do they need touching up a year on?
Thanks.
I should take pictures, they look the exact same!
Loving the color you choice for the pots, they REALLY don’t look like dollar store pots at all.
thanks so much!
Hi, just love your outdoor fireplace..I am gonna make that antique pots but never did anything like this before.. Why do I need the cream wax u didn’t mention when to use that.. Thanks
The wax will help protect the pot from outdoor elements. You could also use a sealer if you don’t have wax. Let me know if you have any other questions, happy to help.