With the weather warming and summer rapidly approaching, people are coming out of the woodwork and spending more time outdoors. Every weekend I notice neighbors out gardening, longer lines at the plant nursery, and dozens of people wandering through the farmers market in search of their new succulent friend. This time of year seems to kick off the plant shopping season, or perhaps everyone just has the same idea as me- that if I moved the pile of clutter from that square foot nook near the window, a houseplant would look stellar there.
While plants are not an easy business, with the upkeep, care, and difficulty in shipping, decorative planters are! I myself am a sucker for a good painted planter. Nothing lets the personality of your plant (that you just brought home twenty minutes ago, have already named, and decided on their favorite color) shine quite like a nice pot for them to rest in. From unique shapes to interesting color combinations, sometimes I find it hard to choose just one- especially knowing that at some point, Mathilde (my Monstera) might want to mix it up after a while.
If the above paragraph did not adequately inform you as to who your target audience is, as well as their buying habits, allow me to elaborate. If I feel like I need a plant in my life, I buy one. When I buy a plant, I but a pot, or two. If I see a pot that I love, I buy it – then shop for a plant to put in it. In sum, planters are not only a necessity for those with plants but also a ridiculously easy impulse buy.
So what happens when summer is over and it’s not the plant shopping season I speak of? Personally, I tend to buy plants and pots year-round, the start of summer is just when I get that urge, and see that others do too, to take on a new plant project or redecorate my porch. Aside from the summer surge in plant sales, plants are a very popular gift- and frankly, who gifts a plant without a pot to present it in? Whether it’s for a birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, one of the winter holidays, an appreciation gift, or a housewarming present- potted plants can be a meaningful gesture that says “I care about you on more than a gift card level”.
So how can you decorate a pre-made pot or planter while making it look unique and desirable? While you are limited to standard shapes that unglazed pots often come in, you are not limited to colors, textures, patterns, designs, and any other accents you can think of. Take a look online to see what kind of designs speak to you or your target audience. Do you prefer bold, pastel, neutral, or bright colors? Do you favor modern geometric shapes, solids, repetitive patterns, or abstract designs? Remember, do not mimic a design you find online, that’s no fun- instead, use it as a source for creative inspiration. Maybe you can put your own distinct spin on it, or perhaps it can spark a similar idea you had yet to think of to create your new painted planter.
Tip: Still trying to figure out who your target audience is? Download our free Define Your Audience worksheet to help you figure out exactly who you are making for. This worksheet can help you figure out where to focus your marketing efforts.
FOR THIS TUTORIAL YOU WILL NEED:
1 unglazed pot
Paint
Paint brushes or sponges
Masking tape
Spray on clear coat (matte or gloss)
Tip: Terra Cotta pots make a great base to start with. They are very affordable, take paint well because of their finish, and are widely available at places like garden stores, Walmart, Amazon, and sometimes even the 99 Cent or Dollar stores, making them the perfect base for your painted planter.
Tip: Consider incorporating the colors you have chosen to represent your brand. Using these colors can create cohesiveness as well and help you to develop a strong brand identity. Have you not selected your brand’s colors yet? Download our free Build Your Brand board to zero in on colors and patterns you will use to visually represent your brand.
Tip: Miniature planters make great wedding favors and table decorations. Offering small sizes would be a great way to cater to those planning an event or looking to order in large quantities.
Watch the video below for the full tutorial, tips, and tricks for photographing, marketing, and shipping your painted planters. Stick around until the end for a breakdown of the three P’s- price, profit, and popularity.
Feeling inspired to create, but perhaps looking for a different project? Check out our list of craft tutorials, you may just find the perfect inspiration!