A painted glass vase is nothing new, but when you turn things upside down, you can transform a plain glass vase into something that resembles a kiln-fired ceramic vase.
Now that I have another surface on which to display decorative accessories for the season or even on a whim, I had fun over the weekend creating something for my new console table in my living room.
When it comes to decorating there are rules that are written by some source or another that say…. everything needs to match… artwork needs to be so many inches up from a table… you can’t mix metals…. a chandelier has to be just so high… chair cushions need to have piping…etc….etc…
There are also unwritten rules when it comes to decorating a home and these are the ones I follow… the no-rule school of rules that allows me to do things as I please… make me smile and show my personal decorating style to the world, my friends and family.
The unwritten are more like methods that make your decor unique. This is what I am sharing with you today, something I created in my own style using nothing more than paint and a glass vase.
The fun thing about this DIY painted glass vase is that you don’t need any artistic skill to create it. It can be created in many different ways to achieve many different looks… like the spin-art creations you made as a kid at the county fair and proudly displayed in your bedroom. Creating a painted vase can also be as permanent or temporary as you want it. More on this later in the post.
Last week when my latest surprise box from Waverly Inspirations arrived on my doorstep filled with pretty spring time colors of paint I knew I wanted to come up with something tall to place on my new console table. I only had one rule to follow and that was to create something for Easter and or springtime decor with as much of the paint as I could.
When I first think of Easter and spring decor, my mind immediately goes to forsythia. I think this is because I grew up in a house where my mom every spring would clip the forsythia from our yard and bring them inside. She would put them in a vase of water and place it on the dining room sideboard where our Easter Baskets were eagerly waiting for the Easter Bunny. As the saying goes… the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as I like to see the same set up in my house, but I have one problem…. the yard at the lake house doesn’t have any forsythia. For the first time I had to go the fake route. :-)
I went to my decor stash of vases and found the tallest vase I own. It was glass and when using fake greenery, glass vases are not the best vase to use since it doesn’t hide the fake looking stems. The power of paint can change that, I could make the tall glass vase look like it was made of ceramic using paint that would hide the plastic stems along with the fact that there is no water in the vase.
How to Paint a Glass Vase
When painting a glass vase using the method I did you need to set up your work area a little differently than you normally would since once the vase is painted you won’t be able to move it until the paint is dry. This can take a few hours or overnight, so place your painting set up where it won’t get in the way of anything else you need to do.
supplies needed:
- Waverly Inspirations Super Premium Paint in Semi-Gloss – Colors: Bubblegum, Lagoon, Lemon Lime, Sunshine, White, and Coral
- Glass vase
- Newspaper/Cardboard
- Plastic bag large enough to cover painting workspace – I used plastic grocery bags
- Small mixing bowls or paper cups
- Water
- 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon
- Popsicle sticks or paint stirrer
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Cotton ball or paper towel
1. Clean vase well with soap and hot water. Let dry, then use a cotton ball or paper towel to wipe glass surface with rubbing alcohol. Let dry.
2. Place vase UPSIDE-DOWN on a piece of cardboard that has a large plastic bag layered on top.
3. Mix each color of paint you plan to use with water in separate bowls or paper cups.
- Ratio of paint to water is: 2 tablespoons paint to 1 tablespoon water. Mix well.
4. Once paints and water are mixed in bowls/cups, choose one color (the color you want to see the least) and slowly pour the paint over the bottom edge all around the vase so the paint drips down the sides of the vase and down to the top.
5. Repeat the process with each paint color, using the color you want to see the most of, last. If the paint is not running down the glass all the way, you can add a little bit more water to the paint and water mix. 
6. Optional – After you have added all the paint colors to the vase, swirl your finger around on the bottom of the vase to allow the paint to go down the sides. Note: this will create new colors of paint so if you like the colors just as they are on the vase, skip this step.
7. I removed the excess paint on the bottom of the vase with a paper towel. You can leave it, but it will take longer to dry than the sides since the paint will be thicker. 
8. Use a paint brush to brush away the excess paint that is on the plastic bag away from the vase. Let vase dry for about 30 minutes and then carefully tilt the vase to remove the plastic bag and all the paint mess.
9. Let the vase dry in place on the cardboard for about 4 – 8 hours. Drying times will vary depending on the weather.
When dry, fill with flowers and display it on a table.
Painted Glass Vase Painting Options:
- When you tire of the painted vase and you would like the vase to be clear glass again, simply place it in a bucket of water overnight and you will be able to remove all the paint without any damage to the glass.
- Love your creation and want it to last forever? Simply brush-on Gloss Polycrylic (water-based poly) over the vase with a paint brush when the paint is completely dry. One light coat is all that is needed.
I added the poly since I like how my painted glass vase came out. :-)
That Sassy Life coach says
04/22/2019 at 12:01 pmWow! Now this is out of this world! LOVE
Lauren says
04/03/2019 at 12:13 amCan uou fo tjos with Acrylic craft paint? Would the steps and ratios be the same?
Diane Henkler says
04/03/2019 at 12:57 amHi Lauren – Yes the paint I used is acrylic craft paint. I used a semi-gloss. Any brand of craft paint will offer the same results. If you want the paint to be shiny – use gloss or semi-gloss craft paint. Steps and ratios will be the same.
Braden Bills says
04/20/2017 at 12:14 pmI want to make my home more colorful in it’s designs. I didn’t even think about getting some nice vases! Maybe I could try getting some and painting them.
Andrea D Stevens says
04/11/2018 at 3:32 amMay I suggest dollartree.com or any dollar store for your vases? I order them by the case ($12 for 12 vases) so I always have one handy when I see a new idea (like this one) I want to try.
Diane, thanks for posting! I just tried my first acrylic pour over a vase, all the colors mixed together before pouring, I never considered pouring each color one at a time…yeah! New technique to try!
Patricia says
04/09/2017 at 1:15 amDiane, so happy to find you and your blog.
I love what you are doing to your new house. Welcome to Lake Murray! Hope you have already discovered the four thrift stores in Chapin. And be sure to check out All about Fabrics, a WONDERFUL source for all kinds of fabric in Williamston SC. Open only the first Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of each month. Website is http://www.allaboutfabrics.co/blog/all-about-fabrics-public-sale-dates/
A great day 1/2?day trip. When you go. Start shopping in the far back for incredible remnants., especially decorator fabrics.
Patti says
04/07/2017 at 5:58 pmLove the painted vase but have wondering for a long time if you have a source for your wrought iron kitchen table? It is what I look for in all your pictures! Thanks so much and you inspire me to try new decorating diy
Diane Henkler says
04/07/2017 at 6:21 pmHi Patti –
I bought my kitchen table a long time ago at JCPenney. It used to have a black base and dark stained top. You can see it here:
https://inmyownstyle.com/2015/03/decorating-with-gift-wrap.html
I stripped the top and painted the base white. Here are the posts that show what I did:
Stripped top: https://inmyownstyle.com/2013/04/stripping-furniture.html
Painted metal base: https://inmyownstyle.com/2013/08/kitchen-update-painting-metal-furniture.html
Here are a few tables that I found very similar to the way my table looked when I bought it: http://bit.ly/2ohBbn6 and http://bit.ly/2nUdxtG
Patti says
04/09/2017 at 11:35 amDiane, thank you so much for your quick reply and all that info. You make all your projects ‘possible’ with all your step-by-step pics. I visit your blog every week…thanks again
Diane Donofrio says
04/06/2017 at 8:36 pmHi Diane! I love what you did with the arrangement in your living room! It’s so beautiful and full of life and color, and it says ‘SPRING IS HERE’ !!!! I love the arrangement in the beautiful vase you created, and love the colors of the Easter eggs repeated in the vase colors! So beautiful! I love how you have the photos of your daughters’ on canvas, incorporated into the arrangement, making that area even more special to you….
Whenever I see InMyStyle in my inbox….. I’m always excited to see what you are creating!
Sending you much love,
Diane
OKC Electrician says
04/06/2017 at 12:18 amI want those paints! LOL
Mark Stone says
04/05/2017 at 9:03 amGood project. My little boy tried this technique and result is awsome. Thank you for your article.
TerriC/HoustonLady says
04/04/2017 at 10:21 amHi Diane,
Perfect for Spring. I love that you have an option to change paint colors if you wish : )
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sheryll $ Critters. says
04/04/2017 at 7:00 amThis is perfect for me! I must love your vase. I have one that was spray painted a pale, translucent pink. I used it this Valentine’s Day for the pink roses I received, but I thought it was so boring and I scrubbed the putrid pink off and could not decide what to do to it. Clear is not doing it for me either. I must get those Waverly paints! Thank you again!
Catherine says
04/03/2017 at 10:34 pmOh Diane, you’ve done it again! Very cute vase–just like Spring. Good for you!
I did something similar many years ago with a ceramic vase, only the paint was thicker and left small drips occasionally down the side. Everyone thought it was so unique and wanted to know where I ever got the idea. I just pointed to my head. That got me the title of “The Idea Bank” because it was one of many “weird” (as they put it) ideas I experimented with. Isn’t it fun!
Happy Spring!
Carla says
04/03/2017 at 6:35 pmThe colors in your vase made me smile! I’ll have to try this…thank you for such great inspirational projects.
Dina Casino says
04/03/2017 at 4:36 pmOMSG!! (Oh my sweet goodness)
Love this. Perfect way to add a joyful spot on my mantle.
Kathy says
04/03/2017 at 3:16 pmWhat a great idea!
june says
04/03/2017 at 3:11 pmLOVE the vase. What a great addition with that sofa table…love all the fun changes you can make.
Carla from Kansas says
04/03/2017 at 2:59 pmYou are so clever Diane! I love the vase. That sofa table is looking great.
Diane Henkler says
04/03/2017 at 3:14 pmHi Karla – Thanks. I like doing the Waverly challenges as I enjoy thinking up new ways to use paint to help decorate my house.
Donnamae says
04/03/2017 at 2:45 pmI love the “No-Rules ala Diane” method of decorating. Cute vase! ;)
Diane Henkler says
04/03/2017 at 3:09 pmHi Donnamae – Yes – no rules decorating is the best and only kind for me and it sounds like for you to.
Charlotte Lindsay says
04/03/2017 at 2:30 pmThis turned out so cute! I love the myriad colors- perfect for a spring decor flair. The yellow flowers also bring out the hidden yellow that is on the vase.
Diane Henkler says
04/03/2017 at 3:09 pmHi Charlotte – Thanks :-)
Judy says
04/03/2017 at 2:27 pmIf I wasn’t on a deadline to do something else, I would make this vase right NOW! That is gorgeous, and since I have a very weird decorating style, I am always on the lookout for ways to tie together colors that I am forcing together.
Diane Henkler says
04/03/2017 at 3:06 pmHi Judy – Love the aspect of the project you mention. Being able to combine and tie together the colors you use in your decorating scheme. :-) I hope you soon have time to create one for yourself.
Betty Baker says
04/03/2017 at 2:26 pmVery,very pretty. I am going to try this. Happy Easter
Diane Henkler says
04/03/2017 at 3:05 pmHi Betty – It is one easy DIY and if you use the plastic bag, clean up is a breeze too. Happy Spring… Happy Easter. :-)