How To Make A Concrete Urn Planter Using Cement Paint

Painting this mini urn planter has been on my to-do list for a couple of years. It’s such a tiny project that it kept getting pushed to by the wayside, however, now that I have finally completed this mini “concrete” planter I’m wondering why I didn’t do it sooner! It turned out so beautiful and literally took me 10 minutes!

Where to find a Planter

You can find urn planers at almost any big box store, such as Home Depot, however don’t forget to check your local thrift store! Thrift stores are almost always filled with discarded planters in need of an easy makeover!

I picked up this mini urn on one of my many thrifting trips for just $1.49. You can, however, use this same cement painting technique and apply it to any decorative planter (big or small).

My mini urn planter had all the texture of concrete, however, the color was a bit… well… Turquoise! I decided to make this my mini urn look a bit more realistic with the help of some faux cement paint. This DIY extremely easy, and can be finished over lunch!

What Is An Urn Planter?

An urn planter is a uniquely shaped planter, typically made of concrete. These pretty planters often decorative with a pedestal base and are fluted in shape.

Materials Needed To Make A Faux Concrete Urn Planter

1. Planter Vessel (various planters are readily available at nearly any thrift store, or you could use one like these mini planter urns that come in a pack of 4)
2. Faux Cement Paint (I suggest picking up a light and a dark grey color)
3. Craft Paint Brushes
4. Dirt and Faux Stems

How To Create A Faux Concrete Urn Planter Using Cement Paint

Step One – Paint Using Your Base Color With Cement Paint

Use the cement paint to thoroughly cover the entire surface of the planter. This will give your piece texture (if it was previously lacking) and will give it the base cement color.

Step Two – Add Dimension

Next, add in dimension and highlights using the lighter cement paint color. Personally, I find the base concrete paint color alone leaves a piece looking flat and one-dimensional. In reality, concrete contains varying shades of gray, highlights and shadows that create dimension within every nook and cranny.

Since I had only one color of paint on hand, I had to achieve this look by adding a touch of white to my concrete paint. You can choose to tint your paint as I have, or simply purchase the darker and lighter versions of your concrete paint to achieve this look.

I suggest studying a photo of real concrete planter urns. Notice where the highlights and lowlights fall and mimic this on your planter using the varying shades of concrete paint.

Step Three – Add dirt and faux stems

Once the cement paint on your planter urn has completely dried, it’s time to add the plant. I kill most living greenery, so I opted for a realistic looking faux fern.

(Note – should you choose to use a real plant, you will want to ensure proper drainage by either adding small rocks to the urn or a drainage hole.)

Enjoy Your New Concrete Urn Planter

So was that the easiest DIY or what? I have no idea why it took me so long to get to this little project, because it honestly took me no more than 10 minutes! However, now that it’s done, I’m loving the look of this sweet mini planter urn and the pop of green it adds to our space!

But beware, flipping thrifted vases to look like something much more expensive (see my McGee & Co Vase dupe) is incredibly addicting! Don’t say I didn’t war you 😉

Project Tips

Faux concrete paint states that it is durable and intended for indoor and outdoor use. However, being that it is water based, I would suggest using your completed concrete urn planter either indoors or under the protection of a covered porch.

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