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    Home » General

    Dollar Store Metal Planter Makeover

    By: Jane · Updated: 12 Apr, '18 · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    Dollar store metal planter makeover

    Today is April 10, but you sure wouldn't know it by the temperature outside! It's been too cold here to plant annuals, but I have an inexpensive metal planter makeover to share with you today that can hold some pretty flowers until they can be planted outside. 

    Dollar store metal planter turned into a pretty painted flower container

    It's all part of Ten on the Tenth where ten bloggers share thrifty ideas that cost under $10. 

    Ten on the tenth

    This month our challenge was to create a pot or planter for less than $10. 

    Shiny dollar store planter

    So recently I was shopping in a Dollar Tree store and saw this embossed metal planter. It cost a total of $1! Yay! The planter was not bad in its original state, but it was so shiny!

    The shininess shouted cheap to me, but I loved the embossed words.

    I knew I could give this planter an upgrade with a little paint. 

    The planter is fairly small since it is only 10.5 inches long, but it's the perfect size to place on a table or counter indoors. Or, it's also a great size for a gift. 

    Sandpaper

    The first thing I did when I got the planter home was to lightly sand the surface. I didn't think paint would stick very well to such a slick surface so I roughed it up some. 

    Sanded metal planter

    Here's how it looked after I sanded it. 

    Spray can of plastic primer

    When I was out in the storage building looking for paint, I spotted this can of plastic primer. I wasn't sure it it would help prime a metal surface but I sprayed it anyway. (If you decide to paint one of these planters yourself, you could totally skip this step if you use spray paint that contains primer.)

    Sample pot of paint

    But I knew that I wanted to paint the planter with the same soft blue acrylic paint that I had used recently for another project. I simply love this color! 

    Painted dollar store metal planter

    I did put 2 coats on the planter for good coverage, but as you can see, the paint covered the embossed letters. 

    Sanded metal planter

    No problem, though. I used a small piece of sandpaper to remove the paint from the letters. But I couldn't help getting some sanding marks around the letters. So I took a small brush and touched up the paint around them to remove the marks. 

    Impatiens flowers to put in a painted metal planter

    Now a planter needs flowers, right? So I picked up 2 six packs of impatiens for less than $4.00. 

    Impatiens in a metal planter

    I just put the six packs down inside the planter and tucked some Spanish moss around them to cover the plastic packs. ( The impatiens can be planted outside later.) 

    I just love the pretty spring colors of the flowers with the soft blue of the painted metal planter. So much better than the cheap, shiny finish that was on it originally. 

    Dragonfly pick in a flower planter

    Then I thought how pretty this dragonfly pick would look in the planter. It was $1.98 from Hobby Lobby. 

    Dragonfly pick tucked down inside a painted metal planter

    I found it in the party section. 

    Pinswheel pick tucked down inside a metal planter

    Along with this pretty pinwheel. It was only .59! 

    So I spent about $7 (not counting the sandpaper, primer, paint, and Spanish moss which I already had on hand) on this dollar store metal planter makeover! 

    I don't think anyone would ever know that this planter started out as a cheap, shiny dollar store item! 

    I'm thinking that these planters make great gifts for teachers, mothers, or for someone who needs a little spring in her life! 

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    1. Jean Windham

      April 22, 2018 at 6:55 pm

      What a cute planter. I love the color and the engraving on the outside. Great idea Jane thanks for sharing...Jean

      Reply
    2. Laura

      April 11, 2018 at 9:13 pm

      Jane- this is wonderful.
      You create the best tutorials.
      Your blog is such a blessing:)

      Reply
    3. Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things

      April 11, 2018 at 3:01 pm

      Love the way it turned out!

      Reply
    4. Mary

      April 11, 2018 at 10:23 am

      Jan I bought the same exact planter and I have to say adding a little paint takes it up many notches. It looks so french and elegant now with the white and the sanding of the letters. Time to get my paint brush out! And let's hope we get some spring weather soon!

      Reply
    5. [email protected]

      April 10, 2018 at 7:25 pm

      Jane, I absolutely love this garden planter. You were so smart to paint it and sand away the paint to expose the letters. The impatiens look so pretty and the dragonfly was a great finishing touch.

      Reply
    6. Sandy

      April 10, 2018 at 1:24 pm

      Cute as can be. I think you will use this time and again.

      Reply
    7. linda

      April 10, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      lovely!

      Reply
    8. Connie graham

      April 10, 2018 at 10:08 am

      Love this jane. You are so creative.

      Reply
    9. Deanna Rabe

      April 10, 2018 at 9:21 am

      I'm going to need to visit Dollar Tree! Great makeover!

      Reply
    10. Kim

      April 10, 2018 at 9:11 am

      Love this! It screams spring and summer and I am so craving color and sun right now. It hits the spot!!

      Reply
    11. Patti @ Pandora's Box

      April 10, 2018 at 8:47 am

      What a fabulous idea - This is would be for a housewarming gift, too! I must make a trip to the Dollar Store (but might have to pick up artificial flowers to go inside - lol(

      Reply
    12. [email protected] Poofing the Pillows

      April 10, 2018 at 8:20 am

      OK you're just showing off, Jane. 🙂

      This project is so complete and pretty! I really struggled with this one. I'm so glad to read your blog.

      Reply
    13. [email protected]

      April 10, 2018 at 7:49 am

      I saw those planters at Dollar Tree recently, but didn't have your vision. What a great makeover! I'll be going back to see if I can still buy some...

      Reply
    14. Tammy

      April 10, 2018 at 7:47 am

      So cute!! I love the color and the picks are just adorable. It would be a perfect gift or outdoor centerpiece.

      Reply
    15. Katie Mansfield

      April 10, 2018 at 7:39 am

      This is adorable. It's great for under 10 dollars. It would be a perfect teacher gift.

      Reply

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