DIY: Paint Can Planters
May 19, 2009
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with your old paint cans, I have a solution for you. Turn them into planters !
I had a bare patch of fence in my rear yard that was in need of attention. I really didn’t feel like painting it again, which is what it needed, so I thought I’d distract everyone with some whimsical decor. And this was such an easy and inexpensive way to do it.
Here is the fence Before and After:
Up close:
How To Make a Paint Can Planter:
Supplies:
- Paint cans, recycled or new. Plain metal paint cans are available at most home improvement stores.
- Outdoor spray paint
- Painter’s tape and/or stickers for lettering
- Hammer and nail
- Hooks for fence (if you will be hanging your planters)
Step One: If your cans are recycled, clean off the labels and scrape off any drips from the sides. Spray paint your cans with your first color of spray paint. Allow to dry thoroughly, usually at least 2 to 3 hours.
Spray paint your hooks and screws for a complimentary look.
Step Two: Apply painter’s tape in your design of choice. In my case, I wanted striped cans so I used the painter’s tape to allow for green stripes underneath. Apply your second color of spray paint and allow to dry thoroughly. When dry, gently remove your painter’s tape.
Step Three (optional): Add your word of choice with simple stickers. In my case, I spelled out the word “BLOOM” for my third paint can. I also applied more painter’s tape to my striped cans so I would end up with a third white stripe, and then spray painted them with a third shade of white. When dry, gently remove your painter’s tape and/or stickers.
Step Four: Use your hammer and a nail to puncture drainage holes in the bottom of your paint can. Use a towel underneath your can so you don’t cause any damage to your paint.
Step Five: If hanging your planters, then screw your hooks into your fence. Painting your hooks ties the whole look together.
Step Six: Add gravel to the bottom of your planter, then some potting soil and your favorite blooms. In my case, I chose Iceland poppies for their color, and I know they will tolerate heat and full sun.
Using outdoor spray paint will allow your cans to withstand the seasons, and the sun’s rays. Can you believe such an industrial object could turn out so lovely?
These painted cans will brighten any fence, deck or balcony. They would also make an extra special housewarming gift – imagine them with a monogram, or the homeowner’s new street address !
So, are you ready to transform your old paint cans?
Tags: outdoor decor, planter, spray paint
Awesome idea. And those flowers are gorgeous. Just wanted to pop in and say hey. I found your site last night and have literally spent the last hour on here reading tons of old posts. (And another hour last night!) You really have a tremendously creative eye, and your writing is excellent as well (thank heavens) which is a breath of fresh air on a site not dedicated to writing for writing’s sake. The verdict… you’ve given me hope and inspiration. Thank you, thank you….
Stunning. A fabulous idea. We have a lot of plain bare fence (we rent our house and spend enough money on the garden. But that is such a simple and cheap way to spruce it up – I love it.
Wow. I’m continually amazed at your creativity. I love this idea. Now, if only I would get around to painting my foyer and upstairs hallway, I would have some leftover paint cans…
Great idea! They look so pretty! Love it!
those are darling!! Great idea!
Suzanne
What a great idea! I’ve been looking for inexpensive ways to decorate our deck and this will work perfectly! Thanks.
I love this idea! It’s very sweet!
{and believe me, I’ve got a FEW paint
cans in this house}
Have a fantastic day!
*Tricia
What a great idea! I am going to make some of these this weekend and dress up my fence. (My neighbors will be jealous!!)
Seriously, you never run out of fab ideas!! And how do you find time to do it all?? I am amazed, yet again.
What a CUTE and CLEVER idea! I am seriously gonna have to try this! LOVE it!
Love this!
These are just beyond adorable!!!
These are so cute! I may have to give a try this weekend!
These are really cute. I’ve got a few nearly empty traditional paint cans around that I’ll have to try this on. I’ve been eyeballing random things I have lately to make them into planters, and this is a great (and easy and quick!) idea. Too bad it won’t work for all the paint cans I have… Dutch Boy plastic pails with a handle just won’t fly.
Keep up the great and VERY inspirational blog!
This is so going in my inspiration file! Thanks for sharing!
What a cute idea. Most crafts stores sell empty paint cans too. Using their coupons to get 40-50% off!
So creative! I’m going to be looking for some empty paint cans and somewhere to put them….
Wow! These are so fun and pretty! What a fantastic idea! I’ve got about five of these sitting in my garage and another painting project I’m starting, and I’ve been waiting to get rid of them. Instead, I’m going to do this! Thank you!
Fantastic blog, BTW!
We did something almost identical last month. Great minds think alike.
We used old large cans from my Aunt’s DQ and they are perfect.
These are beyond cute! Tomorrow DH and I are beginning a 2 week stay-at-home vacation, with lots of plans for gardening. These will definitely be on my to-do list. (I see them lining the steps to our front door.) Thanks for a lovely idea!
Wow, so cute! What a great idea!
These really are cute–I love paint cans for anything!! (I received a decoupaged one with hand-painted baby blocks in it as a baby gift!) Your project is a great summer project for the kids!!! Will put this one on my list, although I think I’ll have to plant succulents, because I’d kill those flowers for sure.
This is a great idea! I love it! We added you to our link luv roundup today!
http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2009/05/link-luv-roundup_21.html
come take a peek! thanks for sharing
This is a FABULOUS idea! I love it! I’ll definitely be trying this idea this summer
Those are fabulous! Love them! Your stipes are perfect!
I popped over from ASPTL…
Love this idea..I have a bunch of old paint cans that I could use! Fabulously frugal
Also visiting form ASPTL..
So charming. A really great idea I look forward to using in my own yard!
Love the idea and love your blog…Do you sell these?
I have enjoyed reading your blog.
I am new to the blog world, but have seen the miracle of the blogging community and prayer in the last two days. Hope you will stop by my blog and pray for little Maggie.
Just a word: lovely!
I just came across your blog and I love it! You have awesome ideas! I really like this idea, I might have to try it.
Really cute! Such a good way to use what you’ve got lying around. I linked to it on my blog
YES! I just so happen to have some empty paint cans laying around! I'm so trying this out! Love it! Thanks for sharing!
This would also be cute in the garage… okay I'm sure my hubby wouldn't think so (but I do). Could do the lettering to say nails, screws, hammers, paint brushes,tape etc for all that stuff that sits around… and then inside the paint cans you just put all your boxes of whatevers that clutter around.
Another cool idea… have them hang in the laundry room with names for your kids. What they can fit in the paint bucket is all they bring with them in the car… hence, no more mountain of kid stuff in the car!!!
[...] series of paint can planters like these detract from an ugly patch of [...]
I love these delightful homemade can planters; they wonderfully beautify a garden! I recycle soup cans and transform them into beautiful decoupage decor that are very functional. They can be used as candle votives, pen and pencil holders, or they make a great gift for storing candy, cookies, and trinkets. I have created an etsy shop called “Eco-Friendly Freckles” for which I sell these lovely, affordable works of art. Please check out my blog for more information. More power to you Centsational Girl…recycling can be a beautiful thing!
Very cute idea but I’m curious… So the sparypaint on the outside protects it from the weather but you still ahve to water the plants. How fast will they rust on the inside being in contact with wet soil most of te time?
Remind me not to leave comments when I’m half asleep.. I apparently can’t type when I’m tired. O_o
Oh this is so nice, I am going to try to do my own.