START WITH OLD CLAY POTS, THEN GET CREATIVE & UPCYCLE! YOU CAN EASILY DECORATE WITH THESE LITTLE GEMS IN YOUR HOME, GARDEN, OR ANYWHERE.
If you haven’t guessed yet, I am all about taking old things and making them new. Today, I want to talk about a fun and simple DIY project that makes use of old clay pots. About a month or so ago, while walking with my then fiance, I found a little paint-chipped pot outside of a closed Goodwill. Someone had dumped a load of REALLY old pots outside the dark doors and I couldn’t help but spot an aged turquoise one. Hey, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right?
It was as precious as a clay pot can be. With a little cleaning, I began to think about what I could do with this little treasure in my home. The obvious choice was to plant a pretty flower in it. But knowing me, I would have very quickly killed the flower with my not-so-green thumbs.
So, I thought outside the box, washed it again, and made it a great addition to my coffee and tea nook. It now holds all the random pieces to my AeroPress coffee maker. This experience taught me how easy it is to upcycle clay pots and turn them into cute storage containers or eye-catching decor. Interested? It’s fun and easy!
First, where to find clay pots? Chances are you probably have a spare terracotta pot or two hanging out in your garden or backyard that needs a place in the world. If you don’t, clay pots are inexpensive and easy to find at your local gardening store (or any store with a gardening section for that matter), local garage sales, and sometimes even hanging out around dumpsters.
Now that you have a clay pot or two (or three), here are a few suggestions that just might spark the perfect idea in your mind.
You don’t have to paint your flower pots and then wait years for the paint to chip so you can finally achieve a shabby chic antique look. The pictures above look just like my little pot.
The best part about painting clay pots is that you don’t have to be Pablo Picasso to transform an old pot or jar into a fun, colorful, eye-catching piece. Check out this clay pot with a bright orange chevron stripe! It’s dazzling and adds mountains (OK, maybe just a cactus) to this bedroom’s decor.
I can definitely envision something like this in my own space. It’s bright, fun, and achievable, especially for those of us who will settle for nothing less than another DIY project! Since I’m a nester and recently married, I’m looking for fun ways to decorate without being too whimsical (for my husband’s sake). I think this is a great unisex approach to decorating.
I think it’s safe to say that you could probably look at different pictures like the ones above and figure out how to create your own designs, or maybe you already have a bunch of ideas in your head! But just to be safe, I thought I would list some of the tools I use when approaching my own designs.
- Paint: First, choose a base color like white, a soft blue or green, or some other neutral. Next, choose the color you want to use to add your design(s). Personally, I like to use a brighter color for my designs, one that will really pop. Take the picture of the white pot with the chevron stripe, for example.
- Painter’s Tape: Don’t start a painting project without it! This is a great thing to have on hand if you don’t already.
- Paint Brush: The appropriate size will depend on your project.
- Last, but certainly not least, an old clay pot (or jar) in need of a face-lift!
BUT, I’m Not a Painter!
OK, so maybe you’re not a painter. Well, there are plenty of other great options. Like these DIY lace flower pots, for example. Or this old terracotta pot with mod podge and vintage recipe book pages! Or what about this glittered flower pot? Alright, alright, I think you get the picture – there are a lot of ideas out there for how to upcycle clay pots.
I’m the kind of person who sees an idea and wants to create it right then. I think that upcycling clay pots is definitely a great solution to my creative itch. Grab some paint and a paint brush, or some glitter and mod podge, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. You can transform a bland, boring old pot into a fun piece that will add a great touch to any space.
Don’t forget to get creative! You may want to use your pot for a utensil holder in your kitchen, a brush/comb holder in your bathroom, a plant on your bedside table, or even as an accessory piece on your porch or balcony. The options are literally endless!
All in all, this is a craft project that will take a little time, patience, and creativity. Whether you’re looking for an antique look or maybe something a little more bright and sleek, I encourage you to let your imagination run wild and upcycle that little clay pot into a new and creative piece in your home.
Have you ever upcycled clay pots and used them in alternative ways? Let me know your thoughts. Did any of these ideas spark some creative magic in you? Also, don’t forget to share with a friend or roommate so they can tuck this idea away as well!