Polka Dot Pail Flower Planter
Easy and adorable polka dot pail flower planter…brighten up your space for spring and summer!
So… the bad news first. Â We thought the house we’re building would be finished to move in this summer, but it’s now going to be at least the end of September. Â There is some good news though! Â Even though our temporary apartment is tiny, we’re lucky enough to have a good-sized yard that will help keep all my kids entertained all summer. Â That also means that although I can’t plant flowers in the ground, I can put out some cute planters. Â Since I’m kind of obsessed with pails, I thought they would be perfect flower planters for our picnic table and patio. Â They were super easy to make, and I love how they turned out!!
DIY Polka Dot Pail Flower Planter
I came across these particular pails at JoAnn Fabrics, right in their container section (baskets, pails, etc.) and they already had the plastic liner inside, perfect for plants. Â It didn’t have holes in the bottom of the pail, but those are easy to make with a drill and bit made for metal, or even with a nail and hammer!
IÂ used some fun bright colors (Rustoleum spray paint: Â Eden/green, Ocean Breeze/blue, Berry Pink, Sun Yellow), and then polka dots…of course. Â :) It was an easy project, and they are so perfect on our picnic table. I will like them on their a lot more once it’s actually painted–we just built a new one, and used treated lumber, so I’m trying to be very patient for 4-6 weeks until it’s ready to paint.
I love these pails because they’re great for indoors, outdoors, in large spaces, and small spaces! If you’re in an apartment and want one or two for window ledge, or on a balcony, or if you have more space on a front porch or patio–they’ll be perfect!
How cute would these be as centerpieces for a summer BBQ or party? Â Bridal or baby shower? You can change the colors to match a theme or color scheme!
Here’s how to make your own adorable polka dot pail flower planter:
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SUPPLIES:
- –tin pail
- -drill and metal bit, or hammer and nails
- -spray paint–one for the dots, one for the color
- -vinyl dots (1 inch)
- -sandpaper
- -flowers and soil!
DIRECTIONS:
1. Â Spray your bucket white, or the color you want the dots to be, and let dry completely. Â I use scraps of 2×4 on top of a tarp, so the bucket won’t rest on the ground while painting.
2.  Add your vinyl dots!  I used my Silhouette to cut mine out, but if you don’t have one, you can actually buy vinyl sheets and use a 1 inch circle punch to cut them out! Make sure you push them on firmly, so the paint won’t bleed through.
3. Â Spray on the top color, and let dry completely. Â Remove the dots! Â I like to take a piece of medium grit sandpaper and rough things up a little, because I like the distressed look, but you don’t have to…whatever you like best is great!
4. Â Use a drill and bit made to go through metal, or a hammer and nail to add holes to the bottom of your pail. Â If your pail didn’t come with a liner, you can always cut up a piece of a trash bag and make your own. Once you add the soil, just tuck the ends in, and you won’t be able to see them.
5. Â Plant your flowers!

That’s it!! Â Simple and adorable, my kind of project! You will totally want these for your backyard or front porch this spring & summer!


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