Delightful DIY pot decor

How to decorate flower pots – from pastels to polka dots

Looking for easy ways to refresh your home decor? Learn how to decorate flower pots with paint, ribbons, markers, and twine. These simple DIY ideas turn ordinary pots into cheerful, eye-catching pieces that bring color and personality to your windowsill or garden.

Author Anette Nässling, Tiina Arponen

Images Johanna Myllymäki, Satu Nyström

September 17, 2025Lue suomeksi

Materials:

A variety of pots, new or old
Acrylic paints and brushes
Paint markers
Contact paper for the circle pot stencil
A sponge you can cut into pouncers (or ready-made pouncer sets that are available in craft stores)
Decorative ribbon and jute twine
Non-water-soluble glue and/or hot glue
Scissors.

How to decorate flower pots

Draw your desired shapes on the back of the contact paper and cut them out. Press the stencil onto the unglazed clay pot and dab paint on with a sponge. You can also paint using only a pouncer—use one color or several. Start by dabbing on one color. If you want multiple colors on the pot, let each layer dry before continuing. Once it’s dry, move the stencil and repeat. Finally, glue decorative ribbon onto the dried pot.

Pot on the left: Paint inverted rainbow patterns around the top edge and yellow dots around the bottom edge to form a grid. The easiest way to make small dots is with a cotton swab. Pot on the right: Cut lengths of jute twine and glue them into a rainbow shape, leaving the ends at the bottom hanging freely.

Use chalkboard paint or dark matte paint to create a spot for the herb’s name. A halved soda bottle gives small seedlings a greenhouse-like environment.

You can also decorate the edges of the pots with plastic-coated tape. Shapes cut out of oilcloth are another option, as long as you attach them with waterproof adhesive.

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How to decorate flower pots – from pastels to polka dots

Materials:

How to decorate flower pots

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