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How to Design Flower Pots
How to Design Flower Pots. Flowers add color and life to you home, both inside and out. Many gardeners enjoy cultivating potted plants because they're easy to move around and take up less space than in-ground gardens. These gardeners also often use clay pots for their plants. These pots breathe better and have more drainage than plastic pots,...
Flowers add color and life to you home, both inside and out. Many gardeners enjoy cultivating potted plants because they're easy to move around and take up less space than in-ground gardens. These gardeners also often use clay pots for their plants. These pots breathe better and have more drainage than plastic pots, making them healthier for the plants. However, these pots can be functional and attractive with a little creativity and some artistic talents. You can easily decorate your clay flower pots with original designs at home.
Things You'll Need
Clay flower pots
Soft cloth
Stencils
Painter's tape
Acrylic paint
Paintbrushes
Ceramic weather sealer
Wipe down your pots with a soft cloth. This removes any dust or grime that might prevent your paint from sticking.
Place a stencil over the broad bottom part of your pot. Secure it at the edges with painter's tape, making sure the shape cutouts are flush to the pot. Design choices include pictures of the herb or produce you plan to plant in that pot. You may also choose fairies, celestial items or a more elegant paisley or swirling design. Chinese characters and stylized animals give your pots an eclectic feel.
Dip your brush into your first color of acrylic paint. Use the most dominant color first. For instance, if you're painting a plant stencil, use green first to color in the stems and leaves. Blot your brush lightly and press it against the edge of the shape you intend to color. Swirl the brush over the stencil with a circular motion. Repeat with your other colors also.
Let your paint dry for at least 30 minutes before removing your stencil. Remove it slowly to avoid damaging your design. Allow the paint to cure overnight.
Dip a clean brush in ceramic weather sealer. Paint straight, vertical lines of sealer over your pot, making sure the lines overlap a bit. Do not seal the inside of the pot as it could damage your plant. Allow the pot to dry overnight.
Tips & Warnings
If you're freehanding a design, sketch your chosen pattern in chalk on the pot before painting it. This helps your end product look neater.
Consider permanent markers or chalk markers instead of paint. Write meaningful words or freehand personal designs all over your pot. Choose between the body and the rim; doing both will make your pot look busy.
Paint part of your pot with chalkboard paint. Bend some wire into a little hanging shelf and hang it over the edge of your pot to hold chalk.
Give your children a few pots of their own to paint. They'll love doing something with you and enjoy planting seeds in pots they painted themselves.
