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Enamel Painted Vases – Easy and Beautiful!

Published on January 11, 2011 Updated on April 10, 2020 by

Cost-friendly DIY for beautiful enamel painted vases. These are easy to make and look chic on a shelf or for events!

Orange, blue and pink vases on wooden table.

Enamel painted vases – I’m in love! If you like to paint, I have a really fun project to share today! My inspiration for these easy DIY enamel painted vases came from a restaurant in Sonoma called El Dorado Kitchen.

I’ve always loved the fresh, modern design of the lobby and the eye-catching green and white enamel painted vases that are displayed on white shelves.

I decided to make my own cost-friendly version of this design, which included a quick Martha Stewart tutorial and a trip to the Dollar Store, where I picked up these three vases.

Pink and Brown Vase on wooden table.

I’ve always loved the fresh, modern design of the lobby and the eye-catching green and white enamel painted vases that are displayed on white shelves. I decided to make my own cost-friendly version of this design, which included a quick Martha Stewart tutorial and a trip to the Dollar Store, where I picked up these three vases.

overhead paintbrush with blue paint.

Supplies:  Three different sized vases from the Dollar Store, dishwasher safe PermEnamel paint in Mediterranean Blue and White (or whatever color you prefer), PermEnamel Surface Conditioner from Michaels Arts and Crafts store, paper towels, paint brush, and a mixing bowl.

Hands painting a vase with blue paint.

Directions for DIY Enamel Vases

1. Clean the vases with hot, soapy water.

2. When they are completely dry, pour some surface conditioner in and cover the inside of the vase. Pour out the excess and let the vase dry.

3. Get the exact color you envision by mixing your PermEnamel paints in a mixing bowl, then pour inside the vase.

4. Paint the inside of the glass using ta paintbrush to cover the inside surface.

5. Once the vase is painted, lay it on a paper towel to let the thick paint drip off. You will be amazed at how much comes out! The longer it’s upside down, the thinner the coating will be. I liked the thicker look so I only kept it upside down only for a few minutes.

6. Turn the vase back over and touch up the drips inside. Every fifteen minutes you can even out the thickness on the bottom of the vase as the paint will start to collect.

7. Let these dry over night and in the morning you should have a beautiful decor vase! Remember these beautiful enamel-painted vases are only for DECOR. Don’t drink out of them! You can put water in them, but it may damage the finish eventually. I’m simply sitting them on the shelf, like the photos to the right

Blue enamel painted vases.

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Comments

  6. •Kristin• says

    I am in love with this DIY!!! I have been wanting to incorporate some pretty vases into my decor and this is perfect!!! so excited, thanks so much for sharing! 🙂

    Reply

  17. Carri @ Redefining C says

    Awesome! Very cool! Thanks for the tutorial. I am definitely going to give this a try. Do you know if they would be safe to put a candle in?? I have a lil idea brewing but don’t want to start a fire! LoL

    Reply

  19. Sugar and Charm says

    Hi Carri, I can’t say it is safe to put candles in them. I use mine strictly for look and they just sit on my shelf. I would be nervous to put a candle in there so I wouldn’t recommend it… If you find anything out about it please pass it along!! 🙂 Thanks for all the comments everyone!! 🙂

    Reply

  20. chelle says

    how did you get it so even? I gave it a try and even though I had a generous amount of paint, I still had streaks and blotchy spots… 🙁 I rinsed it out quick so I could try again. Any tips?

    Reply

    • Summer A Clinton says

      I bet you could just pour the paint in and let it roll around inside. You won’t even have brush strokes. I never tried this so I am just guessing. I have colored jars with other paints and it has worked. I am going to do this. I hope you will do another or put another coat on it. This time try letting it swirl around in jar. Just my opinion.

      Reply

  21. Sugar and Charm says

    Thank you everyone for the comments!! Chelle, I got the paint even by using a paint brush and brushing the sides of the glass… I still had some blotchy spots, but very few. It was a thick coat of paint too 🙂 I hope that helps! If not, maybe you can do another coat after the first one dries…

    Reply

  22. Cindy says

    this is a fabulous project….i have been looking for a paint in that color but have only found a much darker turquoise in the enamel paint. thanks for posting that picture, now i can look for it.

    i love how they turned out!!

    hugs, cindy

    Reply

  26. Debbie says

    This looks like a fun project! I suppose if you wanted to put flowers in it you could use another, smaller glass and put water in that and put it inside careful not to scratch the side of the painted vase, also there are those little battery tea light candles, no flame just a bit of light maybe those would work.

    Reply

  34. Anonymous says

    This project inspired me! I bought 20 vases from Goodwill for less than $1 each and set out to create a masterpiece. However, I thought the paint you have pictured was too expensive, so I decided to try a different paint from the craft store (Folk art) BIG MISTAKE! The paint cracked and sunk down the edges, and NOT in a cool way. Luckily it washed right out. I ended up spray painting mine instead, and since I finished them with a clear gloss, they ended up looking very shiny also. So those of you who decide to do this project, make sure you use the paint pictured!

    Reply

  37. pamb says

    I’m using this great idea to paint clear garage sale vases for a baby shower. I’ll be putting curly willow in the vases, possibly gluing a few pink butterflies and flower buds to the branches. Thanks for the great inspiration!!

    Reply

  38. Sugar and Charm says

    Thank you everyone for the comments! This project was done over a year ago and I still receive comments on it, so thank you! Feel free to share with anyone as well 🙂 Also, if you have any question regarding paint colors, etc. email me 😉 THANKS!!!

    Reply

  41. Anonymous says

    Lovely and Nice color!! But here’s my question – They show you sticking the brush in and painting away. But what about those real skinny vases like the ones on the table painted orange in the first picture advertising the article?? Can’t get your hand or brush in there. ???

    Reply

  42. Sugar and Charm says

    If you can’t fit a brush inside, the look is still achievable… it just takes a little more time. You have to pour the paint in and swirl until the entire inside it coated. You can cover the top with a napkin and shake the paint around as well 🙂 Thanks for the comment!

    Reply

  47. tillyweaver.com says

    I’ve been itching to try this the minute I saw your post. My glass vases are drying as a type, can’t wait to see how they turn out!!

    Reply

  49. *lauren_*_ashley* says

    Love this project! This is my first time ever being on this site and your project inspired me. Thanks for such great direction. I was sad because michaels where i live discontinued the blue but i was able to get one bottle. Was worried i wouldnt have enough but i did w/ some to spare. Thanks again, i love my new vases!

    Reply

  50. Anonymous says

    Hello there! I’m following up with this about a year too late, but I was wondering what your recommendation might be if I DID want to seal it so that I could put water in it…any ideas on that?? Thank you!!

    Reply

  52. Anna says

    I just finished doing two vases! one in that gorgeous blue and one in a purple!! so easy to do. For everyone looking for the paints I found mine on sale at Michaels and then the surface conditioner at JoAnn’s. I haven’t checked Hobby Lobby but will go there too just to see if they stock them and get more colors. Love love love this..just need to find a way to seal it so water can go it. 🙂 thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply

  53. Karah says

    I just made these yesterday and they look AWESOME!!! Thank you for such a great idea. I am going to have to blog about it:)

    Reply

  54. Anonymous says

    Do you think this could work on the outside of the vase, so it could be used with water? Or has anyone tried spraypainting vases? I love this, but don’t know what I’d do without a vase I can’t fill with water.

    Reply

  55. Anonymous says

    I have some textured vases, grooved designs in the glass. Do you think this process will work on them if I make sure to get paint in all the indentations?

    Reply

  58. Anonymous says

    How many oz of paint does it take to do 1 vase?

    Im searching for paint online and most of it sells in 2 oz bottles.

    I am about to order some, but wanted to make sure I get enough 🙂

    Reply

  62. BookGirlNJ says

    Just found this via Pinterest. Wondering if anyone’s learned if there’s a way to seal it so it can be used as a regular vase, i.e. with water. Spray painting the outside, as a couple of you have mentioned, might also be a great way to repurpose these dull vases.

    Very cool site, too, lots of great ideas here.

    Reply

    • Joseph says

      check the paint that you are using. I bought an enamel paint and it calls to bake it at 350 for 30 mins and will be hand washabable or top rack of the dishwasher.

      Reply

  67. Sara Jo says

    I don’t see why you couldn’t put water in it. When I looked up the PermEnamel paint, it stated it was dishwasher, microwave and oven safe!

    Reply

  69. Anonymous says

    Hi,

    Love the project!

    A few quick questions. 1. How do you “even out” the paint at the bottom? Rag? Paintbrush?
    2. Is the enamel safe for flowers if I do want to use them as a vase?
    3. How do I print this project out for future use? (web site doesn’t seem to offer the option?)

    Reply

  72. Anonymous says

    Thanks for sharing…these are beautiful. I’ve been thinking of doing this myself but wasn’t sure how to start.

    Reply

  74. Thomasina says

    I LOVE the colors of your vases!! Never kne the Dollar Store could such pretty stuff1 🙂 I’m new to the dipping, so I thank you for your post!!

    Reply

  77. Kate says

    I thought I was doing this right, but the enamel paint I bought is much thicker and doesn’t really coat the inside without the help of a paintbrush, resulting in a very streaky look. It won’t pour like you have in the first photo. Is it important to use a paintbrush like the one pictured, or can I use the kind with the foam head? Thanks, this is a really cool idea.

    Reply

  81. Anonymous says

    My sisters and I do this with clear Christmas balls. You just have to pour the paint inside and swirl it to cover, then turn it upside down to dry.

    Reply

  82. Anonymous says

    Can acrylic paint be used or does it have to be the enamel?? We only have Hobby Lobby here and did not have the ones that you used. Could not find the conditioner also, is it needed to finish it? Thank You

    Reply

  83. Chrissy says

    I did this project using Folk Art paint. I basically took the whole bottle (it was a large vase) and it rolled the vase around kind of in a swish motion. After I mostly had it covered I turned it upside down for several days to let the excess paint drip out. It checked it and changed the paper plate daily. It was beautiful! However once I put water in it the paint started to peel and float in the water. Such a big bummer since I spent to much time on it!

    Reply

  84. Shani says

    does it need to be enamel paint or can I use regular acrylic do you think? I don’t plan on filling them with water or anything, just for decoration…

    Reply

  85. Anonymous says

    what is the frost paint used for? the outside of the paint looks so shiny and I wasn’t sure you got it to look that or if the paint in the glass just appeared that way.

    Reply

  87. Anonymous says

    Would like to try these, looked for the paint enamel and cant find it. Can you tell me where you got your materials, thanks cheryl

    Reply

  89. Philip Chang says

    Wonderful idea. It can sometimes be very difficult to find vases in your specific color especially when it comes to wedding centerpieces. The paint seems to come out looking much more classy when you paint from the inside. I can’t wait to try this out on a couple of vases we had left over form our wedding centerpieces, finally a good use for all those vases! If anyones looking for some vases to purchase and paint you should check out http://www.dfwvases.com they have alot of the cylinder shapes that she has pictured above as well as the ginger jar shape. Works out great!

    Reply

  91. Suzanne Vandusen says

    Do you need to have different heights for the vaes or just 3 different styles. I have a tall one and 2 that are similar in size but are different styles.What are your thoughts?

    Reply

  92. Glenda Tyski says

    For those who wish to put water in for flowers just keep an eye out for an plastic bottle the right shape and cut to length. No scratching the paint and no water damage. I use this method to line pots for house plants (everything from pails and milk jugs to medicine bottles work)

    Reply

  93. Anonymous says

    how do you get the top of the vases not to have the dried paint when it is upside down from getting heavy on the rim?

    Reply

  96. Lisa says

    I have made several if these vases but I don’t use a paintbrush, I just pour the paint in and twirl to spread the color. Works great….

    Reply

  105. Crystal says

    I have a a big smooth floor vase that I bought 15 years ago, but my house colors have changed. I kept it in hopes of painting it to match our current decorations and hopefully putting either greenery or those tall twig things in them. Do you think the process above will work the same on my vase?

    Reply

  106. Jill says

    I tried to do this but when it tried the top part of my vase shows paint brush strokes. Do you think if I use a sponge brush that would solve my problem?

    Reply

    • Samantha says

      I tried the sponge and makes no difference, BUT that was with regular acrylic paint, I hate the brush strokes
      :,(

      Reply

  111. Krissy says

    I am wanting to do this product. I can not find the Permenamel paint anywhere but online. I would rather see the color in hand before purchasing. Do you recommend any other brands? Please be specific if so.

    Thanks

    Reply

  112. Margaret says

    Hi, I love this idea. I have some lovely enamel paint samples I just bought from Home Depot, can I not use those with the perm enamel conditioner?
    Thanks

    Reply

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  120. Linda Barker says

    Hi,
    I made your beautiful vases with a young friend of mine a couple of days ago and they turned out beautiful! However, I did have one problem maybe you could help me with. The insides of the vasees do not look pretty – lots of brush strokes visible – although not from the outside. I was wondering whether you may be using a LOT of paint because I did not have a lot drip out as you did when I turned the vases upside down. I was thinking of the alternative of painting the top two inches or so of both the inside and the outside in silver. What do you think?

    Thanks for this idea. I really love the results.

    Reply

  122. Lindsay says

    LOVE the look of theses vases! I have so many left over from my wedding that I would love to do something like this with them! The only thing is that I cannot find the paint anywhere at michaels 🙁 do you know of anything else I can use?!

    Reply

    • Eden says

      Hi Lindsay! Any enamel paint will do the trick!! Martha has some great all-purpose paint that would work too!

      Reply

      • Lindsay says

        Thanks! I did find the Martha Stewart brand and picked up a couple of them. What do you recommend for the PermEnamel Surface Conditioner since I can’t find that? It is necessary?

        Also, I noticed that you mixed the blue and white together in a picture above. Was that just to achieve the color you wanted? Or was there another purpose for the white?

        Thanks again!

        Reply

  123. Donna Harvey says

    I love the look of these vases, they look so expensive, I can see filling them with flowers from the Dollar Tree, I got some beautiful Spring flowers there for my Wedding. Thanks for the info. Donna

    Reply

  125. Martha Elba mar Villalobos says

    Me encantan como se ven, yo reciclo todos los frascos de vidrio y desearía pintarlos, vivo el La Paz B.C.S. México se consiguen aquí o me los pueden enviar? Saludos y gracias por compartir tanta belleza. Un saludo!

    Reply

  127. Moxie & Oliver says

    These are SO SWEET!!! I love them. I think that painting the insides of some of my mason jar lanterns would be adorable (we use them as vases, too). Do they do pretty well with water in them?

    Reply

  129. Marcela Eliane de Oliveira Moraes Furtado says

    Tudo muito lindo. Quero fazer também.
    Que talento!!!
    Transformar coisa simples em belas peças,tem que ser muito habilidosa.
    Parabéns.

    Reply

  132. Dolores Howell says

    I love the vases but I was looking for a way to fix what I did. I painted the outside of the vase an it was not a glossy paint an I put it in the oven to bake it on but it is dull looking an I was wondering what to do to get the glossy look. The vases you showed are so pretty I just wish I could make my that pretty. Can you help?

    Reply

  136. Kimmy says

    Holy wow! I have lots of vases from the thrift shop and never even thought of doing this!! I now have another DIY project to make! Thank you for this!!

    Reply

  137. Carly Ritchie says

    Wow, these look awesome Eden!! I’ve got a huge glass vase-thing in the garden that I’ve been looking to make use of so I might follow this technique but blast it inside with a spray gun instead!

    Never thought to paint the inside rather than the outside, love the gloss finish it gives 😀

    Thanks 🙂

    Reply

  139. Susan Cox says

    I followed your directions and my vases are gorgeous. I painted three vases of different heights (purchased at different times) and they now make a lovely, cohesive accent for my entry table.

    Reply

  144. Beautifulymess says

    I followed your directions and my vases are gorgeous. I painted three vases of different heights (purchased at different times) and they now make a lovely, cohesive accent for my entry table.

    Reply

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  5. […] Add a gorgeous pop of blue to any neutral decoration with these painted enamel vases, which you can use for a number of purposes. via sugarandcharm […]

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