You ever buy plants on sale, thinking you’re getting a great deal, only to realize they look… well, a little tragic? That was me with these hyacinths. They were barely sprouting, sitting in their sad little plastic pots like they had just given up on life. But instead of waiting weeks for them to bloom and maybe look decent, I decided to take action.
My mission: turn these discount plants into a Pinterest-worthy spring centerpiece using nothing but some empty tin cans, paint, and a little creativity (aka panic-fueled decision-making).
And guess what? It worked. Now, instead of looking like I just impulse-bought half a dying garden, my windowsill looks like an intentional Easter display. Fancy, right?
Materials You’ll Need
Here’s what I used to create this simple but charming DIY:
- Empty tin cans (various sizes because variety = sophistication)
- Acrylic paint in soft pastels (or neon if you’re feeling chaotic)
- A sponge (yes, from the kitchen—trust me on this)
- Hyacinths or any plant that’s still clinging to life
- Potting soil (or whatever is in that old bag in your garage)
- Optional: Clay pebbles, if you want to pretend you know about proper drainage
- Decorative moss, tiny Easter eggs, and a sprinkle of ✨whimsy✨
- Twine, wooden beads, and tiny wooden hearts (because aesthetics matter)
- A wooden tray to make it all look “curated” instead of “random”
How To Make This Awesome Easter Centerpiece
You know what’s cheaper than flower pots? The tin can your beans came in. Grab a few of different sizes—small, medium, and one just big enough to hold a bouquet of something fake (because we’re realistic here). If anyone asks, you’re not hoarding garbage; you’re being sustainable.
Spring decor should feel fresh, soft, and full of life—so obviously, I went with pastel colors. Lilac, pink, and beige, because that’s what Pinterest told me to do. But instead of using a brush (which would have left streaks and driven me into an unnecessary spiral of perfectionism), I used a sponge. Why? It gives a smooth, matte finish (aka hides mistakes). It dries faster (because I have zero patience). It makes it look like I know what I’m doing (which is half the battle). If the first coat looks patchy, just pretend you were going for a “rustic” effect. Then, begrudgingly add a second coat when no one’s looking.
At this point, your cans are looking cute, but they still contain nothing. Time to fix that. If your hyacinths came in plastic pots that fit inside the cans, congrats—you’ve just unlocked Easy Mode and can skip to the next step. Otherwise: Throw in some clay pebbles (or skip this step if you enjoy overwatering). Add soil. Shove the plant inside and hope it survives. Top it off with moss to disguise any mess and make it look intentional.
Now for the “effortlessly put together” look that actually requires a ridiculous amount of effort. I wrapped twine around each can because Pinterest told me to, then added: Small wooden hearts (because I bought them ages ago and never used them); Wooden beads (because I wanted people to think I put in effort); Feathers and tiny decorative eggs (because Easter, duh). Feel free to skip all of this if you enjoy the minimalist “I ran out of time” aesthetic.
Now that the planters are ready, it’s time for the final illusion: making this look like you actually meant to do it all along. I put everything on a wooden pizza board (yes, really) because: It makes it look like an expensive home decor setup. It lets me move everything in one go when I inevitably change my mind. It was literally the only round thing I had.
Then, to really sell the look, I added: 1) A tiny tin can with shredded paper and pastel eggs, because apparently, that’s festive; 2) A taller can in the back with fake tulips (real flowers would’ve died under my care anyway); 3) A couple of ceramic bunnies, because nothing says “I have my life together” like a tiny, smug rabbit figurine.
Final Thoughts: Is This DIY Worth the Effort?
Honestly? Yes.
- It’s dirt cheap (literally).
- It looks fancy, even though it’s made from old cans and leftover craft supplies.
- It doubles as both spring and Easter decor, so I don’t have to think about decorating again for weeks.
And when these flowers inevitably die because I forgot to water them, I can swap them out for something low-maintenance, like succulents… or more fake flowers.
So, would I do this again? Probably. But for now, I’m just going to bask in the glory of looking way more put together than I actually am.