Painting Flower Pots

by | Aug 11, 2022 | DIY, Farmhouse Finds, Gardening | 10 comments

This post is about painting flower pots, with milk paint, to give them a new look and to bring character into your home. I found a couple of small resin flower pots at an outdoor flea market and decided to give them an update.

A quick note that this post includes affiliate links and I will receive a commission but at no additional cost to you. I am presenting you with my own opinion and honest review of the information provided. If you want to read the entire disclosure statement, please click HERE.

I always love a great bargain and a good find! If I can elevate “a find” that’s affordable using some creativity, a little paint, a little time and a little energy – that’s even better. I am that person who loves to walk through Restoration Hardware or Terrain to get inspiration and then I run home to make my own version of what I saw for a fraction of the cost. Are you that type of person too? If so, we should be friends!

The other day, I was out and about at an outdoor flea market when I came across two resin flower pots. They were small pots in the shape of urns and I thought they were charming. More importantly, I thought they had hidden potential. The best part is that the cost for both flower pots was $3. Heck for $3, I was willing to take a chance on improving them.

Although they didn’t look that bad, I thought their appearance could be improved with a little paint. Let me walk you through the steps I took to transform these little flower pots.

Painting Flower Pots

This was an easy project with the start to finish time around 2.5 hours. As with any project, the first thing we need to do is gather our supplies.

Supplies

Most of you may know that I collaborate with the MMS milk paint company and as a result I can save you 10% on your order. If you order any products from the link provided, enter the code 10OFFSH to save 10%.

MMS milk paint coupon

Step 1 – Clean the Flower Pots

As you can see from the “before” photos, the flower pots were dingy and still had remnants of soil in them. So, the first thing I did was put them in the kitchen sink with warm water and dish soap to scrub them.

scrubbing flower urns

Once the dirt was removed, I dried off the flower pots and set them outside in the sun to dry for a bit. While the flower pots were drying, I worked on the next step.

Step 2- Paint the Flower Pots

While the flower pots were drying, I mixed up 1/2 cup of milk paint with 1/2 cup of warm water. Then I added 3 drops of MMS mix EZ and 3 tablespoons of MMS milk grip. The MMS mix EZ helps the powdered paint and water combine more easily and the MMS milk grip ensures the paint will adhere to the flower pots.

Then I rolled out a generous portion of Kraft paper onto my work surface. The Kraft paper helps to protect the work surface from paint drips and spills. Once the flower pots were dry, I brought them inside and started painting them.

I applied one coat and then I let the paint dry for 30 minutes. After I was sure the first coat of paint was dry, I applied a second coat. Then I let the flower pots dry again for about 30 minutes.

Step 3- Seal the Flower Pots

I wasn’t sure if I was going to use these cute little flower pots inside or outside. So, to ensure the paint was protected, I then painted both flower pots using General Finishes Flat Out Flat. This clear coat should give the flower pots protection from the elements outside. I applied 2 clear coats while letting the first coat fully dry before applying the second coat.

Step 4 – Enjoy your Flower Pots

Yep. It was that easy. I think it took me about 2 hours to transform these little flower pots using some paint. Below are some “after” photos. If you want to book mark this project for future reference, simply pin one of these images to your Pinterest account.

Painting Flower Pots 1

These little flower pots look so much more cohesive painted the same color.

Painting Flower Pots 2

For now, I am going to keep these little flower pots inside and use them for indoor plants.

Summary

If you liked this post about painting flower pots, you might also like a post about the perfect plants for your head shaped planter.

5 plants for head shaped planters 1

You might notice that some of the plants used in this post and the other post are the same. I am always moving things around and trying new things.

succulent wreath

You might also like to read my friend from Decorative Inspirations, Meagan’s post on how to create a succulent wreath frame.

Styling Faux Stems

You also might like to ready my friend from The Antiqued Journey, Rachel’s post on how to style faux stems for a realistic look.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today, I hope you found some inspiration. These quick and easy projects are such a fun way to add character to your home.

10 Comments

  1. Rachel

    First of all, I WANT TO GO TO AN OUTDOOR FLEA!! How fun!!!! Second, I would have purchased these urns too for that price! Third, they turned out lovely and look so pretty with plants in them. Fourth, thank you for sharing my post! Fifth, you are a kind human and I’m so glad we’re friends. 🙂 Have a lovely day!

    Reply
    • Sky Lark House

      Hello Fellow Kind Human. Happy to share your post and -yes- we must go thrifting together one day. Thank you for commenting!

      Reply
  2. Susan

    So much more cohesive painted the same color! Thanks for another budget friendly and time friendly transformation idea!

    Reply
    • Sky Lark House

      Hi Susan! Thank you for commenting! Let’s hope we can find some great pieces to makeover at the Library sale!!! So excited!!

      Reply
  3. CoCo

    These don’t even look like the same plant pots, Anna, that is so cool! I love the color you chose because you can use them in so many different rooms. They’re fantastic! Hugs, CoCo

    Reply
    • Sky Lark House

      Thank so much CoCo! I appreciate the comment.

      Reply
  4. Cindy

    Oh, girlfriend, we are definitely kindred spirits in finding all of the flea market bargains! Those pots look amazing – milk paint to the rescue in making all of the flea market finds look better! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Sky Lark House

      Thanks so much Cindy! I appreciate your comment. I loved your post on all the thrifted makeovers!

      Reply
  5. Donna

    What a great flea market find! Such a wonderful before and after DIY! A little paint and they look brand new! I know you’ll get so much use out of them! Blessings, Donna

    Reply
    • Sky Lark House

      Hi Donna! Thanks so much for the kind words! I always like finding something I can buy for a song and then fix up!

      Reply

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