How to Paint a Ceramic Pitcher Inspired by Pottery Barn

This simple DIY painted pitcher takes a forgotten thrift store find and transforms it with spray paint and a stencil into modern cottage home decor inspired by Pottery Barn.

Lately, I’ve been in full-on purge mode—digging through bins of decor I haven’t used in years and sorting out what still has potential with a little reimagining.

That’s when I came across an orange ceramic pitcher I thrifted several years ago and never quite knew what to do with.

Originally, I planned to give it an aged, textured finish like we’ve done on other vases, but that project never happened.

Then I spotted a beautiful pitcher with a chambray blue motif at Pottery Barn and felt inspired to try recreating the look using spray paint and a stencil—and I’m so glad I did.

The result is a painted ceramic pitcher that fits perfectly with my modern coastal decor while still keeping a charming cottage feel, which my mom loves.

Best of all, this simple DIY home decor project requires very little hands-on time.

Take a look at how we transformed this thrifted find into something I truly love.

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Why We Love This Project

We find so much joy in taking a discarded piece and giving it new life.

Often, the color of a thrifted piece can make it feel dated or heavy—like this pitcher, whose bright orange color just didn’t fit with my home.

When choosing a ceramic pitcher to paint, look for pieces without chips and that will give you a smooth finish.

My pitcher had a distinctive ridge and texture along the lower third, and at first I wondered if it would work, but as you’ll see, it actually adds character and charm once painted.

The best part?

This is an easy beginner project with a high-end look.

I snagged the pitcher for just $2 and spent about $8 on supplies, making it a simple, affordable way to refresh your home decor.

Orange and brown thrifted ceramic pitcher before update with spray paint.

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Pinterest image: Paint fixes everything, before and after thrift store painted ceramic pitcher.

Supplies Needed

Before diving in, gather everything you’ll need to turn a thrifted ceramic piece into a beautiful painted masterpiece.

This project uses simple supplies you can easily find, and most of them you may already have on hand.

Having everything ready before you start makes the process quick, smooth, and stress-free.

Here’s what you’ll need:

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Prep the Surface

Prepping your ceramic pitcher or vase is an important step for achieving a smooth, long-lasting finish.

Start by thoroughly cleaning your piece to remove any dust, dirt, or residue that could prevent the paint from properly adhering.

I like to use Dawn dish soap because it’s a great degreaser—just wash, rinse well, and let it dry completely.

If you’re concerned about adhesion, you can lightly sand the surface or apply a primer after cleaning to help the spray paint stick.

Finally, tape off any areas you want to remain the original color or finish.

Taking a few extra minutes to prep makes all the difference and helps ensure your painted piece looks polished and professional.

Paint Ceramic Pitcher

When it’s time to paint your ceramic pitcher or vase, a little setup goes a long way.

Start by spreading out a drop cloth to catch any overspray, and if you have one, place your piece on a turntable or old lazy Susan.

I love this hack because it allows you to spin the piece as you paint instead of walking around it to check coverage.

Thrifted pitcher is painted with white spray paint.

Apply light coats of spray paint, keeping the can about 12 inches from the surface.

Two to three light coats are best to avoid drips and create an even finish.

Always check the recommended drying time on your paint—mine was dry to the touch in about an hour and needed two hours between coats.

Two coats gave me full coverage.

One important note: make sure your paint and topcoat are compatible.

Because it was too cold to paint outside, I grabbed a low-odor spray paint and didn’t realize it was water-based while my sealer was oil-based.

It caused a bit of frustration along the way, but thankfully everything worked out in the end.

Spray Painting Ceramic: Quick Tips

Always use light, even coats—heavy coats cause drips
Keep the spray can about 12 inches from the surface
Rotate your piece using a lazy Susan or turntable
Allow proper drying time between coats
Check that your paint and sealer are compatible (water-based vs oil-based)
Stop and let it dry if you see drips—don’t try to fix them wet

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Stencil the Design

For the stencil design, we love using our Silhouette machine to create custom stencils for DIY projects because it allows us to easily size the design to fit each piece.

If you don’t have a Silhouette or Cricut, screen-printing stencils are a great option—they have a slightly tacky surface that helps prevent paint bleed.

You can mask off any parts of the stencil you don’t want to use, then adhere it to your ceramic pitcher or vase.

Woman applies a vinyl damask stencil to a painted pitcher.

Woman removes transfer film from vinyl stencil on painted pitcher.

To apply a vinyl stencil, place a piece of transfer vinyl over the design so all the small details transfer properly.

Use a smoothing tool or even a credit card to press it firmly onto the surface, then remove the transfer vinyl.

We centered our design on both the front and back of the pitcher.

To avoid paint bleed, use very little paint and build the color slowly.

Woman applies chambray blue paint to the stencil on the pitcher.

I found the perfect chambray blue paint at Hobby Lobby, dabbed a small amount onto a palette, and used a cosmetic sponge to gently apply the paint over the stencil.

Removing stencil from painted ceramic pitcher.

Woman holds a picker tool to remove vinyl from pitcher.

Once you’re happy with the coverage, carefully remove the stencil, use a picker tool to remove any remaining vinyl, and allow the paint to cure fully.

Apply Top Coat

Once your paint has fully dried, it’s time to seal the finish.

Always follow the recommended drying time on your paint—I let mine cure for about two hours before applying the topcoat.

When choosing a sealer for painted ceramics, it’s important to select one that’s compatible with your spray paint.

Woman holds can of clear satin top coat to spray painted ceramic pitcher.

As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t realize my paint was water-based while my topcoat was oil-based, and that mismatch caused a bit of panic.

I chose a satin finish because I wanted a soft sheen similar to my Pottery Barn inspiration, though a high-gloss finish would also be beautiful depending on the look you’re going for.

Woman points to bubbling paint on painted pitcher.

Right after applying the topcoat, the paint began to bubble, and I immediately ran upstairs to show my mom photos—she knew right away it was a product incompatibility.

Thankfully, I didn’t touch the pitcher and let it sit for a full 24 hours.

The bubbling settled, leaving behind a subtle vintage texture that I absolutely love!

Close up view of texture on painted ceramic vase.

Allow your pitcher to fully cure before styling or using it.

As Bob Ross says, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents,” and this dated orange ugly duckling truly transformed into a beautiful swan.

Side by side, before and after painted ceramic pitcher.

What do you think?

Can you believe the transformation?!

Not it’s a beautiful piece of home decor that I will enjoy for years to come.

I honestly wasn’t sure about the texture at first, but it turned out so good—I love it!

Styled painted ceramic pitcher with babies breath on a mantle with a blue and white striped pitcher.

Style and Enjoy

Now comes the fun part—styling and enjoying your DIY painted pitcher!

This piece works beautifully in both modern coastal and cottage-inspired spaces and feels right at home styled on a shelf, coffee table, or sideboard.

Styled painted ceramic pitcher with babies breath in a basket on the coffee table.

You can also use it as a vase for fresh or faux stems to really show off the design.

I love how this once-forgotten thrifted piece now adds charm, texture, and personality to our home—and it’s a reminder that a little paint can truly transform something ordinary into something special.

Shop Decorative Pitchers

More DIY Home Decor Ideas

Final thoughts

This DIY painted pitcher is an easy, budget-friendly way to update thrift store ceramics with paint and create beautiful home decor with a high-end look.

Painting a ceramic pitcher is a simple beginner project that works perfectly with modern cottage and coastal styles.

Can you envision this project in your home?

If you try this thrift store makeover, leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out—and don’t forget to save this idea to Pinterest for later inspiration!

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Stephanie Hofer

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How to Paint a Ceramic Pitcher Inspired by Pottery Barn

Why We Love This Project

Supplies Needed

Prep the Surface