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Saved from Salvage

Saved from Salvage

Home » From the Blog » HOW TO MAKE AN OLD PAINT CAN A PLANTER

HOW TO MAKE AN OLD PAINT CAN A PLANTER

by Regina 12 Comments

Ready to create a one of a kind upcycle project? This paint can project turned planter is perfect for those cans of dried up paint you may have piled up in your garage. Come along and make an old paint can into a planter with me.

Hi, I’m Regina and welcome to Saved From Salvage. I love to share DIY’s, furniture flips, tablescapes and event inspiration. I’m so glad you are here.

SEE HOW TO MAKE AN OLD PAINT CAN A PLANTER

Table of Contents

  • OLD PAINT CAN PREP
  • FINISHING YOUR OLD PAINT CAN
    • DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH PAPER AND ADHESIVE
    • DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH NAPKIN AND MOD PODGE
    • DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH PAPER AND MOD PODGE
  • FILLING YOUR PAINT CAN PLANTER
      • CUT FLOWERS / PLANTS / EGGS / GIFTS
  • SHOP THIS POST
  • DIY HAND DIPPED PINECONE FIRE STARTERS
  • LATELY ON THE LAKE
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OLD PAINT CAN PREP

There are a variety of ways to prep your can.

  • To gift a plant, drop the plastic container the plant came in, right into the can.
  • To plant inside your can, add gravel, dirt and the plant.
  • Drill a few holes in the bottom and place on a saucer for better drainage.

I was using them as temporary pots for my pansies and for Easter I am going to fill them with planted tulips I found at Lowes.

My can had very little paint inside, and it was dried up so I didn’t need to do anything else with it.

There are also two ways to prep the exterior of your can. I covered my small quart can with paper and I sprayed the larger gallon can with white primer. I only used one coat of paint to cover the can.

CAN OF WHITE PRIMER SPRAY PAINT
THE PAINT CAN AFTER PAINTING IT WITH A COAT OF WHITE PRIMER

FINISHING YOUR OLD PAINT CAN

If you are looking for a wonderful variety of designs for your can, you need to check out The Graphics Fairy. I think it was 2014 when I tried my first design from this fabulous site.

DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH PAPER AND ADHESIVE

First I downloaded an image, I chose these bunnies. I uploaded it to Canva and recolored it, the original image was in color and I wanted the black and white.

quart paint can upcycled into a bunny planter with pansies inside
A CUTE PLANTER FROM AN OLD PAINT CAN

Next, I printed the image directly onto copy paper. I had covered the can with white paper, using a spray adhesive, then I added the image on top.

SPRAY ADHESIVE HELD THE PAPER ON THE PAINT CAN

After I added the bunnies, I decided to use a little grey wax and distress it a bit.

DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH NAPKIN AND MOD PODGE

a large paint can with an image of a birds nest on it.
MY GALLON OLD PAINT CAN TURNED PLANTER

For my gallon sized cans, I created one with a napkin with this adorable nest on it and then I used Mod Podge to adhere it to the paint can.

I WET MY FINGER AND SMOOTHED OUT THE NAPKIN

Then I coated it with Mod Podge and let it dry. When using the napkin, you must separate it from the backing before using. It will be very thin, I used Mod Podge for tissue.

A PACKAGE OF NAPKINS WITH A BIRDS NEST ON THEM
A PICTURE OF A NEST CUT FROM A NAPKIN

DECORATING YOUR PAINT CAN WITH PAPER AND MOD PODGE

For my next gallon can planter, I used The Graphics Fairy again. I found this cute little rabbit print. After I downloaded the graphic, I then printed it onto copy paper.

gallon paint can with a vintage bunny print on the outside
THE VINTAGE BUNNY BEFORE IT SMEARED
THE VINTAGE BUNNY PAINT CAN PLANTER

For this print, I used Mod Podge to adhere it to the gallon paint can. Then I sprayed it with a Mod Podge sealer. I used my finger to smooth out the paper and the color smeared. That did not make me happy, and I tried to wipe it away but it was definitely staying smeared. You can see below it smeared.

MY SMEARED “TAKE ONE” PAINT CAN

After the spray dried, I used regular Mod Podge and brushed a layer onto the image. I may redo this one after I get more printer paper and print another clean image.

OLD PAINT CAN ON THE TABLE? WHY NOT

FILLING YOUR PAINT CAN PLANTER

CUT FLOWERS / PLANTS / EGGS / GIFTS

I filled my paint can planters a few ways. I dropped a ball jar with tulips inside, I planted pansies directly into the can and I place a plastic pot with pansies inside and I placed a plastic container with ranuculus inside.

THIS PLANTER LOOKS GREAT INSIDE OR OUT

You could also line the inside with paper or tissue and add wrapped little gifts inside.

It would also be a super cute container for an egg hunt don’t you think?

A VINTAGE BUNNY PAINT CAN PLANTER

I hope you enjoyed this little upcycle and repurposing project. I also just finished a little upcycle using some leftover materials, see my UPDATED THRIFT STORE VASE. Just think of the possibilities for other holidays as well. I could see this decorated with a poinsettia for Christmas, mums for fall. My wheels are turning.

Thanks for coming by Saved From Salvage – Subscribe if you haven’t yet and you will get the weekly newsletter with all of my posts for the week. Oh and for more spring and easter inspiration, did you see my DIY SPRING GRAPEVINE WREATH? Or my collection of SPRING TABLESCAPES? Last but not least, my most favorite BUNNY POTS.

XO, Regina

SHOP THIS POST

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from these links, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Comments

  1. Denise/My Home of All Seasons says

    March 29, 2023 at 3:09 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing this idea and including the tutorial Regina! It is absolutely adorable and I’m pinning it because it’s number one on my list of things to do this spring.

    Reply
    • Regina says

      April 4, 2023 at 9:12 PM

      Denise – Thanks so much, I’m so glad you liked them.

      Reply
  2. Rachel-The Antiqued Journey says

    March 31, 2023 at 10:00 AM

    These are all adorable! I can’t decided which one is my favorite! Such a fun and easy project for Easter. Thanks so much for this cool idea!

    Reply
    • Regina says

      April 4, 2023 at 9:11 PM

      Rachel – Thanks so much! They were so fun to make.

      Reply
  3. Cara says

    March 31, 2023 at 2:42 PM

    Okay Regina, now I know where to come for all of the cute vintage bunny goodness! I love this idea, and using the Graphics Fairy always quickly becomes my new favorite project! Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration with us!

    Reply
    • Regina says

      April 4, 2023 at 9:11 PM

      Cara – Ha Ha, I do have me some bunny issues! Thanks for the kind words

      Reply
  4. Anna says

    April 23, 2023 at 9:16 PM

    This is so cute Regina! I love how they turned out!

    Reply

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