Easy DIY: Paint Terra Cotta Pots with Chalk Paint

Transform your terra cotta pots from drab to fab with this easy DIY chalk paint project! Perfect for beginners, get step-by-step instructions for a beautiful, budget-friendly planter makeover.

Bring a touch of rustic charm to your home with beautifully painted terra cotta pots! In this DIY project, I guide you through the process of transforming plain terra cotta pots into gorgeous, one-of-a-kind planters using chalk paint. I will show you how to use Dixie Belle Silk All-In-One Chalk Mineral Paint to create a stunning aged finish, perfect for adding a touch of vintage flair to your indoor or outdoor space.

Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a complete beginner, this project is a fun and easy way to personalize your planters and bring your creative vision to life. It is time to get your favorite paint colors, a chip brush, and follow along step-by-step through the painting process. Let me show you this easy DIY chalk paint project!

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DIY Paint Terra Cotta Pots with Chalk Paint Step-By-Step Tutorial

DIY Chalk Paint Project Supplies

• Terra Cotta Pot with or without saucers
• Chip Brush
• Paper Plate
• Silk All-In-One Mineral Paints in Baja Gray and Whitecap
• Sanding Block
• Protective Spray Sealer for Outdoor Use (you only need to do this step if the planter will not be sitting under a covered porch. If outside exposed to the elements, you must seal it).
• One Filler Plant
• One Spiller Plant (a plant that grows down the pot such as Ivy, Vinca, Creeping Jenny, etc.
• Fresh Flowers
• Floral Water Picks
• Potting Soil

1. Clean The Pots

These pots can have dust or dirt from handling the pots. I used a dry cloth to wipe the pots off. If you use a damp rag to clean the pots, remember to let the terra cotta pots completely dry before painting.

2. Select your paint colors

To achieve a chic two-toned look, I’m using Dixie Belle’s Silk All-in-One Mineral Paints in Baja Gray and Whitecap for this DIY project What I love about the Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint: 1)built-in primer, 2) paint, and 3) top coat in one jar. The top coat will seal it for indoor use. However, if the pot will be outside see step 5 for sealing.

3. Creating The Patina

I find painting therapeutic especially when it is an easy project. Before we start, pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage. Don’t forget to turn on some great music.

Now let’s PAINT!

Add a generous dollop of both paint colors onto a paper plate and grab a chip brush.

We are going to do a dry brushing technique. For the next step, grab a little Baja Gray or Whitecap paint and dab it onto your brush

You will start with one color first. Test your brushstroke on a plate to remove any excess paint before applying it to your project

Now swipe your chip brush across the pot in the same direction. I am going left to right and right to left on this pot.

Continue to stroke across the pot letting the terra color show through because you will be laying the paint.

Next with the same chip brush pick up the second color. If you started with whitecap first, then next you will use Baja Gray.

VIDEO: Dry brushing the second color.

Begin to dry brush the second color across the pot adding the color over the white and terra cotta color. You will want some of the terra cotta color to show through the paint

Continue to dry brush the second color over your first coat. Here I am using Baja Gray overtop of Whitecap.

You will do a total of three coats. I started with Whitecap, then added Baja Gray, and finished using Whitecap. You add as little paint or as much as you prefer. The beauty of this project lies in its customization. Have fun with it!

4. Distress It

With a Sanding Sponge or block, distress around the edges and top where the paint would be naturally worn.

5. Outdoor Use – Seal it

While Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint has a built-in top coat, for outdoor planters, an additional sealant is recommended for lasting beauty. You can use Krylon COLORmaxx Acrylic Clear Finish for Indoor/Outdoor Use, Flat Crystal Clear. This spray will seal the paint.

If you are keeping the pot inside or outside under a covered porch, you do not need to seal the paint on the pot. The top coat should be enough.

6. Adding The Flowers

Each pot was filled 3/4 of the way up with Miracle Grow Potting Soil. We placed a filler, spiller and a thriller.

What does this all mean? Three key elements will balance your planter for that WOW factor. Let me explain…

Fillers would be Geranium, Drift Snow, Begonias, Marigolds, Zinnias, Sweet William, Coleus, Petunias, or house plants, etc. For our pots, we used Begonias (pink or white) or Lantana (white with pink & yellow).

Spillers are plants that will cascade from the container. Types of spillers are Vinca, Alyssum (fragrant), Creepy Jenny, Sweet Potato Vine, Ivy, trailing begonias, Baby Sun Rose, etc. We used Creeping Jenny or Vincas in each pot.

Thrillers are something that is eye-catching. It is usually a plant or plants that may have some height, color and/or texture. Types of thrillers are spikey grasses, Jester, Salvia, Canna, Corkscrew Rush, Dahlias, etc. In this case, our thriller were fresh miniature blush color Roses and Baby’s Breath in floral picks with water.

1. First place your spiller in the pot close to the each.
2. Next, you will add your filler (one or two plants) in the center of the pot.
3. Let’s do a thriller by submerging a flower pick in warm water (remove the rubber topper with hole in first). After the floral pick is full, put the rubber topper back on the flower pick. Gently push the Rose and Baby’s Breath stems in through the hole. Finish the arrangement by placing the floral pick with flowers in the pot. I have them placed off to the side filling in a gap.

Time to admire your finished project!

DIY Paint Terra Cotta Pots With Chalk Paint

Look how beautiful the pots turned out. We received so many compliments on the pots and flowers.

Look at those terra cotta pots. Don’t they look amazing painted. It adds to the character and charm of this floral arrangement. Perfect for summer time parties, bridal or baby showers, tea parties, etc. We gave them as door prizes at the bridal shower. You should have seen the ladies faces all excited when their names were called.

This project was easy, fun and took only approximately one hour to complete painting 6 pots and saucers as well as planting the arrangement.

With a little care, your painted terra cotta pots will bring joy and beauty to your home for years to come. Happy planting!

You May Enjoy

And there you have it! Beautiful, one-of-a-kind painted terra cotta pots are complete. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors, patterns, or try stencils to create a personalized look for each pot. These beauties are perfect for housing your favorite indoor plants or adding a pop of color to your patio.

Have an amazing day, sweet friend!