These DIY Plastic Urn Planters Fool Everyone—My Vermont Porch Secret

If you’ve ever passed on plastic urn planters because they looked too cheap or flimsy, I’ve got a game-changing DIY for you.

These simple plastic urn planters got an easy Essex Green makeover, and now they’re one of my favorite porch styling staples at our Vermont home.

Whether filled with evergreens and birch logs for the holidays or styled for fall blooms, they fool everyone (and no one believes they’re plastic!).

Earlier this week, a girlfriend tipped me off to a local terrarium and plant shop that was going out of business. The nearby stores were clearing out their entire retail spaces, and the prices were just too good to pass up. While my friend drove off with a trailer full of treasures, I scooped up two plastic urn planters for just $15.

I had no idea how I’d use these DIY-ready containers, but I loved the aged patina they already had. And once I got them home, inspiration struck!

This post is part of my ongoing Styling Tip series, where I share simple, creative ways to decorate with vintage, thrifted, and upcycled finds.

The Thrifted Plastic Urn Planters That Inspired a Vermont Porch Makeover

At the time, we had just completed a renovation on our Vermont porch. The fresh dark wood stairs, beams, and red exterior gave the space a bold new look. I knew I wanted to lean into that richness with an accent color, and Essex Green immediately came to mind. It’s a classic New England shade we’ve long used for trim at our home in Coastal Maine, and I thought it would be just as timeless on our Vermont porch.

These mismatched, thrifted urns became my first experiment in layering Essex Green into our new outdoor space. Their shape and texture already looked vintage, but once painted, they truly looked like something you’d find at a historic New England estate.

How to Paint and Upcycle Plastic Urn Planters with Essex Green Charm

If you’ve ever found plastic urn planters that had the right shape but not the right finish, this easy upcycle is for you. With a coat of classic Essex Green paint, these thrifted planters took on a timeless, cast-iron look, perfect for seasonal porch decorating in true New England style.

Wash the Plastic Urn Planters Thoroughly

Before beginning any DIY makeover, it’s essential to give your plastic urn planters a deep clean. Using a scrub brush, warm water, and mild soap, I removed all dirt, dust, and debris from the surface and inside of the urns. These had been sitting in a garden shop for who knows how long, so I made sure to rinse them well and let them dry completely in the sun.

A clean surface is key for ensuring that your paint will adhere properly, especially when working with textured plastic that’s meant to mimic stone or cast iron.

Paint the Plastic Urn Planters for a Timeless Look

To give these plastic urn planters a more elevated and cohesive look, I painted them with Essex Green, my favorite deep green shade with historic New England charm. I had the color custom-mixed at our local hardware store, and it paired beautifully with the red exterior and dark wood tones of our newly renovated Vermont porch.

I’ll admit, it was a little tough to paint over the original chippy, weathered finish I loved so much. But since they were plastic (and didn’t match anyway), I decided to fully commit to a more elegant, classic look. I applied two coats of paint for even coverage, letting the first coat dry thoroughly before adding the second. The result? Urns that look like aged cast iron but are light, weather-resistant, and budget-friendly.

Allow the Painted Plastic Urn Planters to Dry Completely

After applying the final coat of Essex Green paint, I let the plastic urn planters sit overnight to dry thoroughly. Allowing plenty of dry time ensures the finish cures properly, especially if you’re planning to style them outdoors through changing New England weather.

Even though the urns don’t match in shape or size, the rich green color brought them together beautifully. Now they’re a charming and cohesive addition to our Vermont porch, adding seasonal elegance no matter the time of year.

And do you know that I have never had to repaint or touch up these plastic urn planters, even through New England’s harsh seasons…

Distressing Plastic Urns for an Aged, Elegant Finish (or So I Thought)

Once the paint had dried, I considered adding even more character to these plastic urn planters by applying an antique glaze. My hope was to bring out the etched details and give them a vintage, timeworn look, something I’ve loved doing on wood in the past.

But here’s the thing: it didn’t quite work. Because the urns are plastic, the glaze didn’t adhere the way it normally would to wood or metal. It added very little depth, and the effect was minimal at best. Still, I’m so happy with how they turned out. The rich Essex Green gives them a classic, cast-iron feel, and even though they’re mismatched in shape, they now look like a perfectly imperfect pair on our Vermont porch.

Seasonal Styling with Painted Plastic Urn Planters

Now, years later, these painted plastic urn planters are still some of my favorite pieces to decorate with, especially during the colder seasons here in Vermont. Their deep Essex Green color blends beautifully with our ski lodge-inspired winter decor and adds a polished look to our holiday porch styling.

In winter, I fill the urns with evergreens, birch logs, and festive ribbons for a cozy and classic Christmas display. Come fall, they’re perfect for holding mums, ornamental kale, and other cool-weather porch plants that pair well with pumpkins and layered vintage textures.

They may have started as mismatched plastic finds, but they’ve become a seasonal staple for our Vermont home. Scroll through the gallery below to see how I’ve styled them through the years in both fall and winter.

Winter and Christmas Porch Styling with Plastic Urn Planters and Ski Lodge Charm

Each winter, I bring out these painted plastic urn planters to decorate our Vermont porch with a cozy ski lodge feel. I fill them with fresh evergreens, birch logs, red berries, and festive ribbons, sometimes nestled next to a pair of vintage snowshoes or dusted with Vermont’s first snowfall.

Whether styled with snow-covered greens or flanking the porch with Ella, our Bernese Mountain Dog, lounging nearby, these urns have become a staple of our Christmas and winter decor. They blend beautifully with our vintage-inspired ski lodge aesthetic, and you’ll find them featured throughout our vintage ski lodge decor blog series if you’d like to see even more!

Fall Porch Styling with Mums and Painted Plastic Urn Planters

When autumn rolls in, I love filling these painted plastic urn planters with bold purple mums to create a vibrant fall porch display. Surrounded by corn stalks tied to the beams, scattered pumpkins, and the golden glow of a setting sun, the deep green urns help anchor the entire space with timeless charm.

You’ll spot Ella again, watching over the scene, vintage table settings with sunflowers adding an extra pop, and a chalkboard greeting visitors with a cozy welcome to the porch. These simple urn planters prove to be the perfect base for layering in fall textures, colors, and classic New England style.

Looking for more cozy and creative ideas to style your home this autumn? Whether you’re decorating your porch, setting a seasonal table, or adding vintage charm indoors, these fall decorating ideas are sure to inspire your next project. Here are a few of my favorite fall looks to get you started:

It’s amazing what a little paint and creativity can do, even with something as simple as plastic urn planters. What started as two mismatched finds from a going-out-of-business sale have now become some of my most-loved seasonal pieces.

From cozy fall porch styling with mums to ski lodge-inspired winter scenes filled with evergreens and birch logs, these painted urns continue to add timeless charm to our Vermont home year after year.

Do you have a favorite way to upcycle planters or style your porch for the seasons? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more styling inspiration, don’t forget to browse my full Styling Tip series for even more creative ideas using vintage and thrifted finds.

If you enjoy adding a floral touch to your home, you’ll love these vintage flower arrangement ideas. From fresh-picked blooms in thrifted vessels to seasonal stems styled in antique pitchers, here are a few ways I’ve brought timeless floral charm into our spaces, indoors and out:

Let’s keep decorating beautifully, one creative project at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Urn Planters

Can you paint plastic urn planters to look like stone or cast iron?
Yes! Painting plastic urn planters with a rich color like Essex Green can give them the appearance of vintage cast iron or aged stone. Using a matte or satin finish paint helps enhance the texture and makes them look more authentic.

What type of paint works best on plastic urn planters?
For best results, use a spray paint or exterior-grade latex paint that’s formulated to adhere to plastic. Clean and dry the surface thoroughly first, and consider using a plastic primer for long-lasting durability outdoors.

How do you style plastic urn planters for different seasons?
Plastic urn planters are incredibly versatile. In fall, fill them with mums, pumpkins, or ornamental kale. In winter, try evergreens, birch logs, and festive ribbons. They’re a great way to add classic porch charm all year long, especially when painted in timeless colors like Essex Green.

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