Ah, Pottery Barn: the realm of textured accent pillows, weathered wood details, and flawlessly styled faux foliage (that never fades!). We all admire the effortless sophistication it radiates, but let’s be real, those prices can make your wallet shrivel quicker than an abandoned bouquet. No need to worry, design lovers!
Today, we’re embracing our inner DIY trailblazers with “Pretend Until You Perfect It: 17 Pottery Barn Dupes That Appear Pricey (But Aren’t!)”.
Prepare to tap into your inner Joanna Gaines and turn affordable finds into stunning creations that could fool even the sharpest design experts. From refreshed vases to stylish wall décor, I’ve gathered a wealth of projects that will have your visitors asking, “Hold on, you made that?” Pick up your glue gun, set your imagination free, and let’s start creating!
Our adventure toward an affordable Pottery Barn-inspired haven begins today!
Vase Lookalikes: From Simple to Sophisticated
Giving thrift store vases a new life is one of my favorite hobbies! You don’t have to pay $100 for a vase when you can discover one for just a few dollars and transform it yourself.
Below are my favorite Pottery Barn-inspired vase makeover projects:
Budget Vase Makeover Under $10
This was the very first Pottery Barn-style DIY project I completed! Ever since it was initially shared, it has remained one of the most-read projects year after year.
For this makeover, I began by covering the glass vase with joint compound to produce the textured appearance of genuine earthenware. Afterward, I layered several neutral shades of paint to recreate a weathered finish.
Terracotta Transformations: Natural Charm with a Contemporary Flair
For this vase refresh, I took a dated thrift store piece and redesigned it to resemble a terracotta jug vase I had spotted on the PB website. It’s incredible how far a little paint and an inspirational photo can take you!
Your DIY creations don’t need to be flawless; the real joy comes from making your own versions of pieces you simply aren’t willing to purchase at full price.
For this makeover, I first applied terracotta-toned paint to conceal the vase’s original glossy red finish. Then I added white paint details around the vessel to give it extra character.
Thrifted Vase Refresh: From Plain to Polished
Handled vases don’t appear often in my local thrift store, so whenever I spot one, I pick it up! Many upscale retailers feature pottery vessels with handles.
To make my take on the black vases I spotted in last year’s catalogs, I began by covering the vase with matte black paint. Afterward, I brushed simple hashmark lines across the surface to give it a weathered appearance.
Click the button below to discover my easy tutorial along with a few additional secondhand decorating ideas.
From Unattractive Planter to Large Vase
This makeover began with an unattractive planter I discovered at a thrift shop. I picked it up without having any clue what I would eventually do with it!
First, I stripped away the shabby rattan wrapped around the planter. I then combined several paints to give it the appearance of something purchased from a high-end shop.
Five-Dollar Flea Market Makeover
This flea-market treasure cost just $5, and the vessel stands around 24 inches high! What a bargain—but it looked rather unattractive and called for some imaginative TLC.
For this vase makeover, I began with joint compound and a plastic notched tile trowel, using them to form the vase’s eye-catching texture.
Then, terracotta-colored paint paired with a limewash created an aged, vintage pottery appearance.
This one is my absolute favorite!! I keep it filled with assorted stems throughout the year.
Wall Art Marvels: Refreshing Empty Areas
The Pottery Barn catalog is consistently filled with beautiful wall art. Below are several projects based on designs I noticed in the background of their decorated rooms.
Coastal Charm: Seashell Shadowbox Wall Decor
Having grown up close to the New England shoreline, I have always loved the beach. To bring a contemporary coastal feel indoors, try creating seashell shadowboxes.
I used assorted shells and starfish to create four shadowboxes, using frames from Michael’s that I covered with linen before arranging the shells in varied designs.
Cold-Weather Gallery Wall
To achieve a fresher winter aesthetic, I recreated an abstract painting I found online. I made several additional easy wall-art pieces to complete the arrangement. It’s an affordable way to give your home a distinctive style.
Lovely Botanicals: Create a DIY Shadowbox Display
Add a touch of imagination and create this charming woven shadowbox for showcasing several dried blooms. It is an ideal project to enjoy throughout the year!
Faux Yet Fantastic: Making Realistic Succulents That Last Forever
This is definitely among the most impressive DIY projects I have completed over the years! If your wall needs a showstopping touch, this is the one!
You can adjust the size of these succulent wall art frames to suit your room and requirements.
Country-Style Snowflake Sign
This is my take on the Pottery Barn snowflake sign. It begins with a sizable unfinished wooden pallet sign for hanging, along with small branch sections used to form the snowflake.
Begin by painting the pallet sign white, then hot-glue pieces of branches onto it to form a snowflake. The result is a charming, rustic decoration that works from Christmas all the way through winter.
Home Styling Favorites: Pottery Barn Appearance for Less
Below are several of my DIY home décor projects that you can create to bring a touch of flair to your space.
Artificial Eucalyptus Planter
Purchasing a well-made ready-to-use planter like this one from a designer catalog can be rather expensive. However, here’s the good news: you can easily create one at home with only a handful of supplies!
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country farmhouse style magazine
This project is featured in the Spring 2024 edition of Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine
Terracotta Pumpkins: Create Your Own Take on the Popular Pottery Barn Designs!
This project is a favorite among readers of this site!! As soon as I spotted Pottery Barn’s version of these pumpkins, I realized they would become the must-have Fall décor. They have sold out every August for the last two years!!
To begin, locate a ceramic or plastic pumpkin. Cover it with joint compound, apply terracotta-colored paint, and add chalk dust to achieve a genuine terracotta finish.
Imitation Terracotta Bead Garland
Skip the expensive price tag and bring home terracotta’s sun-warmed appeal with this simple DIY! Inspired by a Pottery Barn piece, I put together a rustic garland from easy-to-find wooden beads. After adding a burst of color and some texture, you’ll have a beautiful accent ready to decorate your shelves or mantel.
Beachy Keen: Make a Garland Inspired by Sea Glass
While browsing a Summer catalog, I spotted a glass bead garland and really enjoyed its potential as a cheerful home accent. Because I wasn’t able to locate oversized glass beads, I chose wooden ones instead and used a sea glass painting method to create this garland.
Christmas Village Homes
Want an attractive, budget-friendly way to create your own Christmas village? Pick up several unfinished wooden birdhouses, paint them white, and finish them with rose-gold roofs covered in fine glitter.
Golden Berry Topiary Trees
Pottery Barn’s red berry topiary trees, sold every winter, served as the inspiration for this festive project. To give my set an elegant touch, I coated it in a champagne-gold shade.
These topiaries can be created with Dollar Tree supplies, making them an inexpensive way to achieve a high-end appearance.
Illuminated Witch’s Broom
Searching for a playful Halloween decorating idea? Try crafting this witch’s broom! It’s simple to make as well! You’ll need to find an aged branch and a bundle of birch or other wispy branches.
What a whirlwind! We’ve explored a flurry of DIY creativity, turning everyday items into Pottery Barn-inspired treasures.
So, don’t hesitate to be inventive, test different materials, and welcome the occasional delightful mistake. Each scratch and flaw has a story to tell, bringing a bit of personal character to your handmade retreat
Experiment with fresh methods, take on more challenging projects, and allow your creativity to soar. Every project you complete will sharpen your abilities, reveal untapped talents, and help create a home that genuinely showcases your individual taste and spirit.
Grab your glue gun, stay confident, and continue creating! Remember, it’s about pretending until you succeed – and with these affordable Pottery Barn alternatives, you’re already halfway there!
xo, Jennifer
More upscale alternative ideas:
