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You are here: Home / DIY Home Gallery / How to Easily Upcycle Plastic Urns

in DIY Home Gallery· Vermont Porch

How to Easily Upcycle Plastic Urns

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I got a tip from a girlfriend this week on a terrarium and plant shop that was going out of business in our area. They were emptying out their entire store. As my girlfriend left with a trailer full of goodies, I grabbed these two plastic urns for $15.

I had no idea what I was going to do with them and I already liked the patina look each one had. Until I got them home…

Thrifted Plastic Urns

On the way home I picked up some mums to go in the urns. And as you can see, each plastic urn is different in color, shape, and size. I really like each one as it stands, but they look a bit funny together with the two different looks.

  • Gray Urn
  • Brown Urn

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Porch Renovation

This past summer we replaced a major support beam, columns, and refinished the floors and steps on our porch here in Vermont. And I’ve been crushing on dark greens and blues to decorate it all with this fall.

That’s when I decided on the look of the Essex Green that we used on the trim at our home in Coastal Maine to paint these plastic urns with. It’s the richest looking dark green I have ever seen!

How to Upcycle Plastic Urns

Wash Thoroughly

First, I washed the plastic urns thoroughly with soap and water and let them dry completely.

Washing plastic urn with soap and water

Paint Plastic Urn

I then painted the plastic urns with the Essex Green paint that I had mixed at our local hardware store. You may also purchase it here.

It was really difficult, honestly to paint over that beautiful-looking chippiness. But I was really going for a more elegant look for our newly renovated porch. And it was only plastic after all…

I applied two coats of paint to be sure that everything was covered on the urns.

Painting urn green.

Dry Time

I let the plastic urns sit overnight to dry.

They are now a beautiful addition to our porch here in Vermont even though they are not matching urns.

Essex Green Urn with Purple Mums

Distress Plastic Urns

I thought I would try distressing the urns a bit with an antique glaze now that they were all painted to add more character and definition. However, as I got going into the distressing, I found it just didn’t add much to the look of the urns at all.

Essex Green painted Urns with Mums

I think this was simply because the urns are plastic and the antique glaze just didn’t adhere as nicely to the plastic as it does to wood.

Plastic Urns with Mums

I really love how they turned out, adding a touch more of elegance now that they are paired, along with their uniqueness of still being different.

Do you like easy DIYs like this one? Check out my friend Rachel over at The Ponds Farmhouse! She has so many fall-inspiring DIYs.

Long wooden porch with green urns

Next on the porch, we will be adding a dark green ratton furniture set that is due to ship sometime in January or February.

Check out this same porch a few years ago decorated in vintage style. And here decorated in a cabin style!

My goal of adding dark greens and blues will finally all be coming together!

I’ll be heading out to Vermont Vintage Market Days this weekend while “Thrifting with the Gals“! Where I hope to find some more wonderful goodies. I hope you’ll join me!

Green Urns on the Porch

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Mums

Now I will sit patiently and wait for the purple mums in our new upcycled plastic urns to bloom.

purple mums

Do you like Mums? Check out my friend Kim’s “How to Warm up Your Fall Table with Pumpkins and Mums“! And “9 Fall Plants That are Perfect for Container Gardens“.

I hope you have an amazing Autumn, my friend!

If you liked this post you may also like How to Decoupage Old Treasures.

Fall  Planter with Mums

I’m so glad you dropped by today, and if you are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you enjoyed your visit with us here today at our Home in Vermont.

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How to Easily Upcycle Plastic Urns

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How to Easily Upcycle Plastic Urns

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Filed Under: DIY Home Gallery, Vermont Porch Tagged With: diy home decor, planters, plastic urns, urns

Previous Post: « Is Autumn a Season for Vintage?
Next Post: Vintage Market Days Vermont Fall Haul »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda Scott says

    October 6, 2021 at 7:01 am

    Your porch is beautiful and I like it in all the different ways you styled it. The most recent with the table and wicker chairs is the best!! Must be so nice enjoying meals with family and friends on that wonderful porch which is so cozy. Ella looks like a sweet girl!

    Reply
    • Ann says

      October 6, 2021 at 7:47 am

      Thank you so much. We are excited how it all came out. And have lots more planned for this space. Thank you kindly Linda👏🏻👏🏻

      Reply
  2. Julie Terry says

    October 6, 2021 at 8:17 pm

    I love your porch and especially the wicker chairs. Where are they from?
    Keep thrifting! Love your Wednesdays.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      October 7, 2021 at 4:01 am

      Thank you so much, Julie! I found the chairs at a local estate sale a couple of years ago as part of a set… Vermont Vintage Market Days are coming up this weekend!

      Reply
  3. Kim Waldorf says

    October 9, 2021 at 8:00 am

    Your porch transformation is just beautiful! The urns definitely look like they belong, even though they are different. I can’t wait to see your new furniture. It’s fun watching you transform this porch. Beautiful job!

    Reply
    • Ann says

      October 9, 2021 at 10:26 am

      Thank you so kindly Kim. I always enjoy when you drop by🌺🌺🎃

      Reply
  4. Roseann Marsett says

    October 9, 2021 at 10:11 am

    That color is really beautiful and rich. What a great idea and a beautiful porch.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      October 9, 2021 at 10:27 am

      Roseann, I’m so glad you enjoyed it my friend🍃🍂

      Reply
  5. Kathy says

    October 9, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    Love, love, love the porch, the urns, the table…..everything is stunning and so welcoming!! hugs to Ella!!👍👍❤️❤️

    Reply
    • Ann says

      October 9, 2021 at 1:56 pm

      Thank you so much Kathy😃

      Reply
  6. Rachel+Harper says

    October 9, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    Ann,
    These urns look great with their new green color.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      October 9, 2021 at 1:57 pm

      Thanks so much Rachel🙌🏻

      Reply
  7. Marlene Stephenson says

    October 9, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    I love that rich green color and made the urns so much better. Your porch is a lovely place to hang out, thanks and have a great week.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      October 9, 2021 at 4:11 pm

      Thank you Marlene it means so much to me when you drop by😘

      Reply

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Welcome to Dabbling & Decorating, a thrifty & vintage home decorating blog.  A place where I love to share decorating tips, vintage and thrifty finds, DIY projects, and antiques from our collected homes in Vermont and Coastal Maine. And our Berner, Ella who loves to pop in from time to time…  I’m so thrilled you stopped by today and I hope you will become a regular here at Dabbling & Decorating! Read more.

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Welcome to Dabbling & Decorating, a thrifty & vintage home decorating blog.  A place where I love to share decorating tips, vintage and thrifty finds, DIY projects, and antiques from our collected homes in Vermont and Coastal Maine. And our Berner, Ella who loves to pop in from time to time…  I’m so thrilled you stopped by today and I hope you will become a regular here at Dabbling & Decorating! Read more here.

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