Classic Plastic Urns Planters DIY

Discover creative ways to use plastic urn planters in your home decor, from creating a cohesive look to incorporating different colors and shapes.

This week, I got a tip from a girlfriend about a terrarium and plant in our area that was going out of business. The local stores were emptying their entire retail spaces. As my girlfriend left with a trailer full of goodies, I grabbed these two plastic urns for $15. The local stores’ prices were just excellent!

I had no idea what I would do with these plastic containers, 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 for my versatile planters, an excellent choice for fall. As you can see, each plastic urn is different in color, shape, and size. I really like each one as it stands, but the two different looks make them look a bit funny together for their outdoor use.

Porch Renovation

This past summer, we replaced central support beam columns and refinished the floors and steps on our porch in Vermont. And I’ve been crushing on dark greens and blues to decorate it all 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. It’s the richest-looking dark green I have ever seen!

How to Upcycle Plastic Urns

Wash Thoroughly

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

Paint Plastic Urn

For a touch of elegance, I painted the plastic urns with the Essex Green paint I had mixed at our local hardware store. You may also purchase it here.

It was challenging, 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… See more of this porch today in this 7 Ways to Add Autumn Spirit to Your Front Porch this Fall post.

I applied two coats of paint to ensure everything was covered on the urns.

Dry Time

I let the plastic urns sit overnight to dry.

The upcycled urns, although they do not match, are now a beautiful addition to our porch here in Vermont.

Distressing Plastic Urns

Now that they were all painted, I thought I would distress the urn planters with an antique glaze to add more character and definition. However, as I got into the distressing, I found it didn’t add much to the look of the urns at all.

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

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

Next, on the porch, we will be adding a dark green ratton furniture set that is due to ship sometime in January or February. See it today in the post, How To Create An Inviting Front Porch with Wicker Furniture.

Catch up on all fall decor and designs here in one place.

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

I’ll head out to Vermont Vintage Market Days this weekend while Thrifting with the Gals! I hope to find some more beautiful goodies there. I hope you’ll join me!

Mums

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

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 posts.

I hope you have a fantastic Autumn, my friend!