How to Whitewash a Terra-Cotta Pot

Whitewashing your pots is an easy DIY project, perfect for anyone who has a lot of plants throughout their outdoor space. If you want to mix things up, you can even try this technique with different color paints.

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot: Add Plants

Use paper towels to gently wipe off the paint, creating the whitewashed look. Depending on how “washed” you’d like your pots to appear, you can continue wiping the paint off until you get the shade you are looking for. Allow pots to dry before adding plants.

Photo by: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Materials Needed:

  • terra-cotta pot
  • white acrylic paint
  • paintbrush
  • paper towels
DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot: Materials

For this project, you'll need a terra-cotta pot, white acrylic paint, a paintbrush and paper towels.

Photo by: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Thin Out Paint

Put a small amount of paint in a disposable cup.

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot: Thin Out Paint

Put a small amount of paint in a disposable cup. Add a couple of tablespoons of water to thin it out a bit.

Photo by: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Add a couple of tablespoons of water to thin it out a bit.

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot: Thin Out Paint

Put a small amount of paint in a disposable cup. Add a couple of tablespoons of water to thin it out a bit.

Photo by: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Brush Paint on Pot

Paint a section of the pot, using strokes going in one direction. 

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot: Brush Paint on Pot

Paint a section of the pot, using strokes going in one direction.

Photo by: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Partially Remove Paint

Use paper towels to gently wipe off the paint, creating the whitewashed look.

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot

DIY Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pot: Partially Remove Paint

Use paper towels to gently wipe off the paint, creating the whitewashed look. Depending on how “washed” you’d like your pots to appear, you can continue wiping the paint off until you get the shade you are looking for.

Photo by: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Depending on how “washed” you’d like your pots to appear, you can continue wiping the paint off until you get the shade you are looking for. Allow pots to dry before adding plants.

French-Inspired Patio

French-Inspired Patio With Floral Pillows and Whitewashed Terra-Cotta Pots

Whitewashed terra-cotta pots and ceramic pitchers work together to set the scene. Start out with a few creamy pillows and add to your collection over time. Yellow and blue is a classic color scheme that also feels very French.

Photo by: Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

Bethany Nauert; Styled By: Paige Geffen

1 Deck, 3 Global-Inspired Looks

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