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My DIY Recycled Flower Pot Ideas

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These recycled flower pot ideas will have you searching your cabinets for old items to recycle into flower pots. I’m not tea-sing when I say my DIY tea kettle flower pots are the hit of the neighborhood. I didn’t use just any old tea kettles. The ones I found in my thrift store stash are unique, and one of them got a little makeover.

Thrift store pots and tea kettles make unique flower pots
Thrift store pots and tea kettles make unique flower pots

DIY Recycled Flower Pot Ideas

Our front porch is covered with kitchenware. It’s a sight. Not sure if the neighbors are jealous or embarrassed by my porch display. The Thrift Store Decor Team organized a special tour today featuring thrift store finds made into flower pots. Let’s get started… Always remember when reading through my DIY’S you can customize most of the projects in your style!

Recycled Flower Pot Ideas

Find The Perfect Recycled Item For A Flower Pot

This is the $4 thrifty tea kettle that started it all. The black handle is what sold me. All the way through this project and up until I was writing the post, I was calling the kettle a teapot. Then out of the blue I realized I was probably using the wrong name. I asked the hubby and he said it was a tea kettle. And so it is.

Add Decorative Details To The Recycled Pot

thrift store black and white belt

The black and white polka dot belt is a thrift store purchase too. I usually shop at the thrift store on a discount day. I qualify for several discounts, so just about any day is good. I’m a senior citizen, military spouse (retired), and a student (kind of).

 

Customize The Flower Pot In Various Ways

how to use hot glue

I cut the belt to fit around the tea kettle and got out the hot glue gun. Glue gun projects are so easy. If you look at the original photo of the tea kettle, you notice there is a rim about an inch from the bottom. I used that rim as the guide for the belt. Well, the project took all of two minutes.

how to make thrifty flower pots from everyday items

Cute little pot. Now, all it needs is flowers.

Potting The Flowers

thrift store teapots make great flower pots

I placed a pot of my favorite flowers, Lantana, in the tea kettle. I love the multi-color jewel-tone Lantana.

thrift store belt for flower pot project

Restyle The Pot If Necessary

I looked and looked at the pot and decided the small belt didn’t add enough drama. That’s okay because I had a second black and white belt with a wild print. I purchased the two belts on the same shopping trip, thinking about a different project at the time.

hot glue project with thrift store belts and kitchen pots

Another round of hot glue, another 2 minutes, and done.thfit store decor teapot flower pot project

That looks much better. Keep in mind that I can always remove the belts and do something else with the tea kettle. The hot glue should peel off with just a bit of effort. Once I finished decorating the kettle for the second time I went to my stash of junk treasures and found some other things to use as flower pots. The porch needed a bit more color. Might as well pull out all the stops.

 

Make A Flower Run

Flowers from Lowe's

More flower pots called for a flower run to the local home improvement store. It took me a while to pick out the flowers. I go for cheap and no one was having a sale. I finally found some in my price range, style, and colors. You guys know I like bold colors….in everything.

Pot The Flowers

utility wagon

I potted and watered the flowers in the workshop. Carrying all of them to the front porch of the house is a chore so I loaded them on the little utility wagon for the ride. It is so darn hot here I have to work smarter, not harder.

upcycled diy teapot flower pot

This time I put white flowers in the black and white belted tea kettle. Makes it look chic and stylish.

My DIY Tea Kettle Flower Pots Make The Neighbors Jealous

Decorate Porch Or Deck DIY Recycled Flower Pots

It definitely stands out from the other tea kettles and rusty junk pots on the porch.

Upcycled Tea Kettle DIY Flower Pots

Now take a look at the rest of the porch flower pots. The kettle in the chippy yellow kids’ chair is a really heavy one. The metal handle is broken in two right at the top but that’s no problem for a flower pot.

succulent plants in thrift store teapots for plant containers

And I know you spied the little vignette on the bench to the left of the yellow chair. The tiny teapot/kettle is so stinkin’ cute. That’s the lid on the bench. It’s cute too. Now most of you know I’ve been dealing with faux succulents in my projects and the ones in the teapot are faux. The red topped cactus in the black and white pot……formerly an espresso maker, is real.

More DIY Recycled Flower Pot Ideas

I got the espresso maker in a box lot of auction stuff. When I removed the top I realized the bottom would make a great flower pot. Don’t worry, I saved the top of the espresso pot.

edit rusty plant pots are upcycled from thrift store and auction buys

At the bottom left of the photo is a rusty junky flour sifter turned plant container. I thought this idea was genius. Patting myself on the back. The flour sifter still has the red handle knob. Notice I also displayed the pot lid to one of my recycled plant containers.

vintage tea kettles and water dippers make great flower pots

On the opposite side of the porch is a rusty metal star chair doing duty as a plant stand. I decorated the thrift store silver pot on the left with an old brown leather belt. Just used hot glue on it too. Belts are one of my favorite recycle/upcycle items. They make great handles on crates, wood boxes, etc.

graniteware water dipper recycled as a succulent planter

My favorite “flower pot” is the vintage turquoise and white swirl graniteware water dipper. It was love at first sight. Now I’m on the hunt for vintage graniteware in this pattern and color. The dipper is holding faux succulents too.

unique succulent planter idea
unique succulent planter idea

Faux succulents are the cutest and I have the made the most surprising faux succulent display using vintage items. Watch the video tutorial below…

Succulent Reel Display

rusty chairs and pots make great porch flower planters

Next up is just a regular old flower urn. It might be regular but it’s pretty. The purple flowers really pop against the white of the urn. I don’t want to embarrass myself by calling the names of most of the flowers because I don’t know what they are. I just say the purple flowers or the red flowers, etc.

make fun funky flower pots from recycled kitchen ware like tea kettles and pots

Make a trip to the thrift store, flea market, junk shop, wherever, and look around a bit. Think outside the box and see what you come up with for DIY recycled flower pot ideas.

What did you think of the kitchenware/tea kettle flower pots? No cookie cutter flower pots around here. Do you have any ideas for me? I’m always open to new ideas and read your comments. For more container ideas, check out my post here….15 Outdoor Plant Container Ideas

Thrift Store Flower Pot Tour

Time to see the thrifty finds and makeovers from my friends. Just click the text links below the “before makeovers” photo collage…

Trash to treasure flower pots

Petticoat Junktion’s DIY Tea Kettle Flower Pots (you are here)

Refresh Restyle’s Brass Plant Holder Idea

Domestically Speaking’s Succulent Bird Bath

House Of Hawthornes’ Colorful Bushel Basket Planter

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia’s Succulent Bird Bath Planter

Our Southern Home’s Decorative Potted Plant Finish

My Repurposed Life’s Vintage Toolbox Planter

Tomorrow is Furniture Fixer Upper day and the lineup is a doozy. As always thanks for being here, Kathy

Kathy Owen founder of Petticoat Junktion

Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines.

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30 Comments

  1. This was so much fun to read! I love all your pretty flower pot ideas and photos!!

  2. Thanks for pointing this out Sue! I checked the post and I think I tried to put the video in twice. The video is actually about half way down the post. Thanks again!

  3. Chokky Sue says:

    I can’t find the link to your movie reel craft but love all your other ideas.

  4. Michelle Leslie says:

    Love them all Kathy and especially all the bright, happy flowers you’ve added inside. I’m going to have to go hunting for a few more old kettles and pots. Like I need an excuse 😉

  5. Christina Woodcock says:

    I love the teapot! And what a great way to upcycle belts! I sure wish I had your green thumb such beautiful flowers!

  6. Christy @ Our Southern Home says:

    Kathy, I absolutely love this idea. You are just so creative. Love using old belts to jazz them up!

  7. Dear Iris, Thank you so much. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I make a range of projects from super easy to things that require a moderate amount of skill. They are all budget friendly. I try to make a bit of money from the blog. It’s enough to pay for all the fees associated with the blog and to buy project supplies. Thanks again, Kathy

  8. Love these adorable pots, but more importantly, I love the breath of fresh air scrolling through this post. I’ve unscripted to many blogs as I am unable to do the refurbishing, painting, and hauling furniture around thing any longer. But your posts are so different in that there’s no constant ‘click this’, click that’, buy, buy, buy!! They’re all the same now….”I’M HERE TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF YOU”….click, buy!! Your posts are totally different and I LOVE IT. I sincerely hope your blog is profitable and you keep up the good work. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has noticed.

  9. Gracie Redfield says:

    Kathy–You have such creativity, and inspiration! I love your porch displays—they always make me smile! The colors are beautiful! I`m hard put to choose a favorite kettle, but the one with the two belts is so unique!

  10. Pam @ House Of Hawthornes says:

    I love your flower “pots”!!! I’ve never thought to use belts as an accessory – great idea!

  11. Thanks Christina, That’s what is funny. I don’t have a green thumb.

  12. My chair planter fell apart too! I like the wooden ice chest idea.

  13. Yes, it does so grease on one side but I’m calling it a tea kettle! You caught me, lol. I actually when I first saw it I thought it was a tea kettle.

  14. Thanks Naomi! Junky containers are definitely the best.

  15. Naomi Shelton says:

    Kathy, the tiny granite teapot and the water dipper are my all-time favorites! All of the vintage items together make a great display. I put plants in vintage “junky” containers all the time and I love the look of unconventional holders for plants.

    I can’t imagine the neighbors being embarrassed. I best they all love your porch decor. Thanks for the inspiring post!

  16. Gail Wilson says:

    Kathy,

    Your tea kettle flower pot is so cute. I think I really liked it better with the small belt… but that’s just me.

    cute ideas!

    pinning!

    gail

  17. The belt idea is just genius! They turned out so cute!

  18. Vickie R. Sittloh says:

    Kathy,

    I love your front porch display. I would say your neighbors are jealous. Very creative. My mother had a tiny teapot just like yours that she kept on top of the stove for her bacon grease.

    Vickie

  19. Loved how you used the tea pots & up cycled them.

  20. Kristin salazar says:

    This is adorable! Love the vibrant flowers mixed with th silver!

  21. Kathleen Hicks says:

    We do this also, but not a much as you. My husbands star is a wooden ice chest planted with stuff. There is also two tall chicken feeders planted. Did have a chair planter but it fell apart-need a new one-cheep! The tea kettles are very cute especially the B&W belts!

  22. Christina Woodcock says:

    The teapot is adorable! All the flower pots are so cute, I wish I had a green thumb! 🙂

  23. I just love this post! Thought you were going to make holes in all the teapots, so was thrilled when I realized you were just putting the pots in the kettles! This will be a project for next year, gathering old kettles over the winter and decorating them. I also love the yellow chair! I have oodles of plants on my patio, so this really speaks to me! Thanks!

  24. Barbara Warner says:

    Kathy,
    Love your pots! Like you, I am recycling old pots/kettles and this year I have red geraniums in a blue enamel canner and purple petunias in an aluminum kettle. Love repurposing things like that and gives my deck a lot of character! Keep up the good work.