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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

 Have you ever noticed how incredibly expensive planters are?  For about $40 I could get one itty bitty planter, that’s not even cute.  No thanks.  I decided I would DIY planters that would work perfectly with my new painted door and rockin’ house numbers. I didn’t want anything to frilly, or girly.  I wanted my style inside my house, reflected on the outside too! This project cost me $20 each, was incredibly simple, and totally fits my style.

Color Block Planter



Here’s What you’ll need to DIY your own color block, tiered planters:  
Plastic planters (mine were from Target)
2 colors of spray paint
1 color of latex paint
Dirt, Mulch, Plants, Etc.
I started with these plain Jane planters from Target (find them here).  You can’t really tell how big they are, but they’re pretty big (I can’t wrap my arms around the top of the large one- I tried, so that gives you an idea and a weird mental picture.  Sorry about that!) They cost $7 for the medium and $13 for the extra large.

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The first step was to spray paint the middle color.  I used Valspar’s grey primer because I love the color.

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You don’t need to worry about the top or bottom at all.  Just get a nice, even coat on the middle.  I did two light coats on mine.

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I painted the top color block with the same color I recently used on my front door.  I’m a bit obsessed with it.  I didn’t need to tape for a clean line, because the planter had a lip that I was able to use as a guide.  Also, make sure you paint down pretty far on the inside.  I’m assuming your house guests will be taller than the planters, so they’ll get a peek down inside.

DSC_0327

The next step, made this DIYer do the dance of joy (remember Perfect Strangers?) because it saved me so much time!  I used a paint can opener to pop the bottom of the planters.  I’ll warn you, it will sound like you’re breaking them, but you’re not! They’ll pop right back on when you’re done painting them.

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Taking the bottom off, meant no need for tape or cutting in.  Just spray paint the bottom whatever color you’d like.  This was my little work station (aka messy garage).

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Put the pieces all together and you’re left with cool, color block planters.

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They’re nice like that, but I wanted to take it up a notch! I wanted some height, so I stacked them up.  I didn’t do any permanent attaching or anything, just fill the bottom with dirt, plant your flowers, add the next planter, and repeat.
Again, remember the angle people will see them from when they walk in… mulch is a must.  No one wants to see this…

Boxwood Plants

I used white wave petunias on the bottom and a boxwood on top.

Tiered planter

Here was my porch a few weeks ago.  It was a sad situation… trust me, I know!

Porch Before

Take a look now!
I think it’s just a tad more welcoming don’t you?

Porch Update

For a grand total of $40 and less than an hour, I got two color block, tiered planters that perfectly match my style and house colors.   (You can see the door and house numbers Here) Now… if only I can keep the plants alive…
What do you think of my DIY Planter Upcycle?
Monica
**Since my mom loved my planters, she kind of hinted around to wanting one of her own.  Here’s what she got for Mother’s Day!  Black and Red to match her house!

———————————————————————————————————-
Did you hear our BIG NEWS?  
Click here for our announcement post with all the fun details!!
We can’t wait for July 7th!! 
 


The comments +

  1. These are great Monica, just don’t let any big bottom girls sit on them! LOL

  2. so stinkin’ cute! love them!

  3. Katherine says:

    Love the look, but I’m wondering if the paint is plant-safe? I’ve definitely killed plants by means of pottery glaze inside a planter.

  4. Love them! I definitely need to try this one!

  5. Tiffany says:

    I can’t believe those large planters were only $8. I’ll be at Target this weekend, fact checking…and hoping it’s true so I can grab a few.

  6. super cute! great idea!

  7. 2busy says:

    I love that tiered planter idea. The colors match perfectly.

  8. AnaMB says:

    i looove this idea!

  9. Katie says:

    This is perfect! You’re a genius, Monica!

  10. Looks awesome. I definitely need to do this to spruce up the front porch.

  11. LolaLalaBean says:

    This post could not have come at a better time. I recently made a buffet table for my deck out of extra long pallets and I wanted tall planters to go on either end but I’ve been so depressed over the planters I’ve seen in the stores and the cost associated with them. Thanks to you I will be heading to Target today and then off to my local hardware for the paint. Your tiered planters are beautiful and just the inspiration I was looking for!!

  12. Very nice. Now I wish my hubs hadn’t been so efficient when we got home from the store with the plastic, plain green planters yesterday. LOL Not a complaint you’ll hear often 🙂 Janet

  13. Plant Stands says:

    I’ve seen other posts about painting plastic pots, but not the idea of stacking them…looks great.

  14. Lisa says:

    Very pretty!

  15. Your planters look great and I love the symmetrical look they give to your porch! I have this linked to my planters post as well today, for inspiration!

  16. I absolutely love these!! Great job!

    Amy

  17. Yoli says:

    Where’s your pin button?? LOL!

  18. Yoli says:

    I found it…I had to scroll to the right! That’ll teach me to post a comment without checking!

  19. Anonymous says:

    did you do anything to the surface of the porch? The after picture has a cleaner, less textured look. Different color too but then again the house color is different too so maybe it’s just the color correction in the digital photos?

  20. Cortney says:

    I thought these were super cute, so I just featured them on my blog: http://www.organicallyopulent.com/top-ten-diys-issue-8/. Feel free to check it out and grab a button if you wish.

    Love the front porch – they look great!

    Cortney at http://www.organicallyopulent.com

  21. Amy Stebbins says:

    I am so happy I found your blog!! I am currently sprucing up the “curb appeal” of our home, and this idea will work so well! I love how you used the door paint! That is exactly how I was planning on utilizing any left overs from painting our front door! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful idea. I plan on putting it to good use! 🙂
    Have a beautiful day!
    Amy
    http://www.amystebbins.com

  22. Incredible!! What an amazing transformation of the porch! Great job!
    garden gnomes

  23. […] might remember that last spring I gave my front porch a face lift.  I love the door, the tiered planters, (I did a southwest version too) the house numbers… I love it all! BUT… no one ever […]

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