How to Style Your Patio with Vintage and Upcycled Planters

Styling your patio doesn’t have to mean buying all new pots and planters. In fact, some of the best patio looks come from giving old items a new life.

Vintage and upcycled planters not only save money, but they also add charm and character that you just can’t get from store-bought pieces. From weathered wooden crates to repurposed metal buckets, these planters bring a story to your outdoor space.

In this blog, we’ll look at simple and creative ways to style your patio using vintage finds and upcycled containers. These ideas are easy to try, fun to mix, and help you make a patio that feels personal and unique.

1. Old Wooden Crates as Rustic Planters

Wooden crates are simple but full of character. Their weathered look makes them perfect for rustic or cottage-style patios.

You can stack them, set them side by side, or even mount them on a wall. They work well for flowers, herbs, or small vegetables.

Line the inside with a bit of burlap or landscape fabric to keep the soil in place. Crates are light and easy to move around, so you can change your patio layout anytime you want.

2. Galvanized Tubs and Buckets

Old metal tubs, washbasins, and buckets are sturdy and give your patio a farmhouse feel. Their silver-gray finish adds a cool tone that pairs well with bright flowers.

Drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage, and they’re ready to plant. Large tubs can hold small trees or group plantings, while smaller buckets are perfect for herbs.

If you like, you can leave them plain or paint them for extra color. They’re tough, practical, and full of charm.

3. Vintage Tea Tins and Coffee Cans

Small plants need small homes, and vintage tins are perfect for that. Old tea tins or coffee cans often come with bright colors and unique designs.

They look great on tables, shelves, or steps. These containers work well for herbs, succulents, or small flowers. Since they’re metal, make sure to add drainage holes at the bottom.

You can group a few tins together for a fun and colorful display that feels both cozy and personal.

4. Repurposed Drawers

Don’t toss that old dresser! The drawers can become creative planters for your patio.

Just pull them out, paint them if you like, and line them with plastic or fabric before filling with soil. You can set drawers on the ground, stack them at an angle, or even mount them for a layered look.

Flowers spilling over the edges look especially pretty. It’s a clever way to turn something broken into something beautiful and useful again.

5. Antique Wheelbarrows

An old wheelbarrow makes a show-stopping planter. It’s big enough for a mix of plants and flowers, and you can move it around to change your patio layout.

The rustic look of wood or rusted metal adds instant character. Just make sure to drill drainage holes and add some stones at the bottom.

Wheelbarrows are great for seasonal displays too—think colorful flowers in spring and summer, or pumpkins and greenery in fall.

6. Ceramic Jugs and Pitchers

Large ceramic jugs and pitchers can be more than kitchen pieces, They make lovely planters.

Their rounded shapes and glossy surfaces add charm to patios. They work especially well for trailing plants like ivy or vines that spill out naturally.

Smaller pitchers can hold herbs or flowers and sit on tables. Mixing a few jugs of different sizes together creates a warm, homey look. Each jug feels like a piece of art that also brings life to your space.

7. Upcycled Tires

Old tires don’t have to sit in storage. With a little paint, they can become colorful and bold planters. You can hang them on a wall, stack them to make a tower, or set them flat on the ground.

They’re strong and wide enough to grow flowers, herbs, or even shrubs. Bright colors give them a playful look, while leaving them black feels more industrial. Either way, tires make a big impact with very little cost.

8. Mason Jars and Glass Jugs

Clear jars and glass jugs are timeless and useful. They’re perfect for small plants like succulents, herbs, or flowers.

Mason jars can also be hung with wire to create a string of planters across a wall or fence. Glass lets you see the soil and roots, which adds a unique touch.

If you want more color, choose tinted jars. They fit well on tables, steps, or shelves, and they bring a simple but classic style to your patio.

9. Vintage Chairs with Plant Seats

If you have an old chair with a broken seat, don’t throw it away. Instead, replace the seat with a planter basket or pot.

The chair frame becomes the stand, and the plants add life and color. Painted chairs can add a pop of brightness, while leaving them rustic gives a shabby-chic look.

These planters make great accent pieces on patios and work well with flowers that spill over the edges. It’s both clever and charming.

10. Colanders and Strainers

Colanders already come with built-in drainage holes, making them great planters. Their round shape and handles make them easy to move around.

You can hang them or place them on tables. Paint them for a colorful twist, or leave them metal for a simple look.

They’re perfect for herbs, strawberries, or small flowers. Using kitchen tools like this brings a playful and personal touch to your patio while keeping things practical.

11. Reclaimed Wooden Barrels

Wooden barrels cut in half are strong and deep, which makes them great for bigger plants. You can grow small trees, tall flowers, or even mix different plants in one.

The wood adds a warm, natural feel to patios, and over time, the weathering gives it even more charm. Barrels look best when grouped together in corners or as centerpieces.

They’re a classic choice that blends well with almost any patio style.

12. Old Toolboxes

Old toolboxes, whether wooden or metal, can become long, narrow planters. They’re just the right size for herbs, succulents, or small flowers.

The handles make them easy to carry and move, so you can place them anywhere on your patio. Wooden toolboxes give a rustic look, while metal ones feel more industrial.

You can even paint them for extra color. It’s a fun way to give something once used for work a brand-new purpose.

13. Woven Baskets

Wicker or woven baskets are light, natural, and easy to style. They look especially nice with flowers or trailing plants.

To keep them lasting longer, line the inside with plastic or fabric before adding soil. You can hang them on walls or place them on the ground.

Their soft texture brings a cozy, handmade feel to patios. They’re also easy to swap out, so you can change your plants season by season without much work.

14. Vintage Watering Cans

Old metal watering cans make charming planters. Their spouts and handles give them character, and they’re just the right size for medium plants. You can place them on tables, steps, or even hang them from hooks.

Flowers or herbs look especially nice spilling out of the top. Over time, the metal may rust, but that only adds to the vintage look. They blend beauty with function and make your patio feel full of personality.

Final Thoughts

Styling your patio with vintage and upcycled planters is all about giving old items a fresh start. Each piece tells a story and adds character that new planters just can’t match.

From crates and barrels to chairs and jars, these ideas let you mix styles, shapes, and colors in creative ways. The best part is, no two patios will ever look the same.

With a little imagination, you can turn everyday objects into unique planters that make your patio feel warm, personal, and full of life.