How to Make Easy DIY Marbled Pots: Which is the Best Paint Marbling Technique?

Learn how to make painted faux marbled flower pots

Spring is in the air and I am ready to get outside and enjoy this nice weather. So when it came to coming up with my next DIY project, I was thinking that I need to try to make DIY marbled pots. I REALLY needed to update some of the old terracotta pots I had on my deck.

I HATE paying the price for cool, larger and modern pots! You wouldn’t believe how expensive silly pots can be!

Therefore, I decided I was going to learn how to make DIY marbled pots. How hard could it be? For this paint marbling project, I tried two different techniques to see which one might work better.

DIY Outdoor Ideas

I also hate paying for other things like an outdoor dining room table or a playhouse for my children and that is why we are always doing DIY projects that can be used outdoors.

I found this great list on Country Living of frugal ways you could also think about adding to your outdoor space and our list of 22 creative planter ideas. These lists may inspire a future easy DIY outdoor project!

The DIY Project Challenge

This outside DIY project definitely was pretty simple, but there are a few catches and tips I will give you along the way! This DIY marbled pot project was perfect to add with my DIY friends in our project challenges!  

Last month, we were challenged to make something under $50 that was used for the organization of your home. I did this awesome Midcentury Modern Dresser for FREE using supplies I already had! This month’s #DIY PROJECT CHALLENGE is to create a knock-off product for under $50.

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy here. 

How to create these DIY faux marble pots (with bonus DIY marbled mug at the end)

Cost of creating DIY Marbled Flower Pots

My TWO terracotta marbleized pots only cost around $12, because I had some of the spray paint colors already on hand. 

What is hydro dipping?

So technically this technique I am sharing has a name called hydro dipping. Hydro dipping is when you transfer paint from the surface of water onto an object. In this case, we are spraying spray paint on the water to create a fun design and dipping our flower pot into it to print on the surface.

The fun part about hydro dipping is that you can do this technique on more than just flower pots. We really hope to try this soon on large plastic planters and think it will really work.

If in the meantime you are looking for more simple flower painting ideas, check out these black and white designs you can get done in 30 minutes.

DIY Marbling Technique: Spray Paint & Water

Before you begin, I spray painted my terra cotta pots with a white GLOSS spray paint with primer built-in. I did this the day before and let them dry overnight.  The terracotta pots do soak up a lot of spray paint, so be prepared for this.

In my opinion, they do not have to be perfect, because the marble design will cover any imperfections.

Please note: I bought my terracotta pots at my local big box store, but if you are an amazon prime member, you may just want to order them. Here is a 30-Day Free trial if you are already not a member. You can find some on sale online depending on the size you want.

How to set-up DIY Marbling Station (Not using a good plastic bin)

Other DIY bloggers, will tell you to use a large plastic bin. I don’t know about you, but plastic bins can be expensive. I didn’t want to ruin a bin that would cost more than my whole project.

So I came up with a FREE and better solution. I taped a large garbage bag inside of a diaper box. Added water from my hose and I had a waterproof dipping and marbling station ready to go.

Get ready to create an AMAZING DIY Marble Effect!

TIP: YOU MUST WORK QUICKLY!!!!!! Taking the pictures to show you all how this worked slowed me down a little and the marbling on the pots would have been easier if I was not trying to document it for you. But I love inspiring all, so I made it work…QUICKLY!

Dip the Terracotta Pots to make your DIY Marbled Pots

As soon as you have all three colors in, dip your terracotta pot and rotate it to cover the areas you want… and… you have a BEAUTIFUL DIY MARBLED POT! It is that simple. I have even seen somewhere the bottom is just dipped to create a cool effect. I believe that would be easier than trying to quickly rotate the pot to get the marbling effect on all sides.

DIY Flower Pot Drying Tip

Depending on the size of your terracotta pots, you should be able to flip them over and place them on a wine bottle with the cork in to dry. As you can see in this picture, the wine bottle with the cork sticking out.

This fit perfectly in the hole in the bottom of the terracotta pot. After these dried for a few hours, I then used a clear coat spray to help seal the outside.

If you want to dump the water in between each dunk, go right ahead. However, I am all for not being wasteful and I am a little lazy.

Therefore, I used a wooden skewer and a small cup to scrape off the top layer of spray paint in between each pot. As you can see, if you do not work quickly, you will be left with a not-so-great spray paint film stuck to everything.

I ABSOLUTELY think these are a gorgeous makeover. I can’t get enough of these FABULOUS DIY marbled pots!!!!! These turned out so well that I am wondering if next, I can try to marble large plastic planters?? Any ideas? I will post about it if I do attempt to take on such a huge marbling project! 

If you loved this painting technique, you may also want to check out some of my amazing DIY painted accent walls or paint art projects for kids. I hope to help inspire creativity in all ages with all different types of art and home projects. 

If you are like us, we sometimes have DIY mistakes! We didn’t do accidentally spray paint in extra places on this project. However, if you need to know how to remove spray paint from glass this may be helpful.

But what about the DIY Nail Polish Marbling Technique?

As promised, I also decided to test out the nail polish marbling that is all over the internet. I simply tested this method out on a white ceramic mug. Therefore, this was SUPER easy because I didn’t even have to use white gloss spray paint for a base coat.

How to use nail polish to create marbleized mugs

I decided to use two colors of nail polish to create the DIY marbling effect. I poured a few drops and stirred.

Again, it seemed that you had to work QUICKLY.

However, the nail polish may have been a little more forgiving with time.  I placed it to dry. The biggest con I could tell about using this method is that if you held the mug too long, the nail polish would create a thicker film. I liked the look of the quick dip and rotate better.

Just a note, I am not sure if drinking from this mug would be “food-safe”. I will for sure just be using it to store pens on my desk (another DIY project) or I might even plant a small succulent in it!

This DIY marbling effect is a sure way to spruce up any item on a budget. If you love this DIY project, you may want to check on the faux marble effect we got on our Easter eggs and paper place cards. You could use this paint technique on a variety of DIY home decor items inside or outside your home.

The DIY Project Challenge

Now let’s see what my AWESOME DIY friends have created for this month’s knock-off challenge. The ladies in this group are very talented and I can’t wait to see what they have created! Let me know if you want to join us in the next round! Feel free to click on the links below to find more AMAZING inspiration. 

Joyful Derivatives: DIY Faux Marble Lamp Makeover

Kippi at Home: DIY Garden Screen Trellis

Never Skip Brunch: Anthropologie Hanging Planter

Life’s AHmazing: West Elm Inspired DIY Geometric Desk Decor 

Our Happily Ever Home: Wayfair Inspired DIY Wooden Candlesticks

Southern Yankee DIY: Knockoff Pottery Barn Floral Napkin Rings

Mama Dares to DIY: Knock-off Pottery Barn Floating Shelves

I would love to hear about your DIY projects or if you have used one of the faux marbling techniques we showed today.

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We hope you loved this DIY marbled flower pot tutorial (and marbled mug, too) and that all of these awesome DIY projects inspire you to go out and make something!