How to Make Hanging Planter Covers

Back in the early spring I purchased three hanging ferns. I wasn’t crazy about the green plastic pot they came in; but the price was good and I figured that I could replace the planter eventually.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that we’ve been working on the exterior of our home, specifically the porch, since it has been nice and cool here in Kentucky.

The shutters and doors are all a deep forest green and paired with the beige siding it feels pretty traditional. Our long-term plan includes dark grey shutters; but in the meantime we are trying to eliminate some of the forest green and introduce more black and grey tones. The white rocking chairs in the above photo have already gotten a glossy, black makeover.

So, it seemed that black would be an obvious choice for our planters, too.

Here’s what you need:

- Tote Bag // Amazon // $3.50
- Foam Brush
- Fabric Paint // Amazon // $6.50 {I purchased my bottle at Joann’s with a coupon}
- Painter’s Tape
- Elastic Cord // Amazon // $2.80 {I ended up not needing this}

**amazon links are affiliate links

Important Note:

I originally purchased tote bags from Wal-Mart without measuring the diameter of my planters. The bags were too small and did not work. After I measured them, I chose between several options on Amazon and these fit really well — so well, in fact, that I didn’t even have to attach them. My plan had been to use some elastic cord, similar to this, around the top of the tote bag to hold it in place.

How to:

First, tape off your chosen design. I went with basic stripes and taped the tote bag directly to the floor. This kept it from moving around as I worked.

When painting fabric it’s best to “seal” the edges by dabbing along the tape lines or brushing away from the tape towards the center of your painted area. Fill in the rest after you’ve painted the edges.

Let the paint dry and repeat on the opposite side.

Once the tote bag is completely dry, slide it over the planter. Mine fit very snug and just took some tugging to get it over the planter. If your tote bag is loose, use some elastic cording to hold the top of the bag in place near the rim of the pot.

Hang your new planter and enjoy!!

We only have two spots to hang a plant, so the third fern is placed in our seating area — flanked by one of the newly painted rockers and our other “new” piece of patio furniture — a thrifted settee.

That leopard print settee is from Miss Molly Vintage, a booth at Feather Your Nest in Lexington. It was $60 and when I saw her list it, I knew it would be perfect between those two rocking chairs.

Of course, the leopard print brings in a little more black, as well!

I’m searching for some outdoor pillows; but it may be too late in the season to snag some on clearance {that I really like, anyway}. If I don’t find any, mom will be recruited for some more DIY outdoor pillow covers.

Our porch is feeling a little more fresh, though the fall decor is helping with that, too.