Everyone Had Them In The '40s — Now You Can Turn One Into An Antique Planter

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If you're trying to create an elegant, old-world feel on your patio garden or next to your front door, there are certainly reproduction-style planters you can purchase that will hint at that sort of aesthetic. However, finding gorgeous plant pots can break the bank, and you may not find them as charming as real antiques. So when you're at the thrift store, always look for vintage fireplace accessories like coal scuttles from the '40s — because you can upcycle them into beautiful planters.

A coal scuttle is essentially a pail with a lip that made it easy to transport and pour pieces of coal into a fireplace or stove for home heating. They could also be used to collect ash and carry it outside. Sure there are also vintage brands of planters to look for at the thrift store, but it's so much fun to create a DIY from an upcycled antique that has little use in our modern homes today. Coal stoves started going out of fashion in the '40s as residents switched over to natural gas or heating oil, leaving coal scuttles without a job to do. Usually these vessels were made out of metal, but they come in different shapes, and some featured ornamental designs and handles – making them antiques worth upcycling into attractive planters.

You might be able to find a coal scuttle at your local thrift store, and even modern versions exist like this Blackspur Black Coal Scuttle. However, for a true vintage version that suits your style, you may have better luck browsing online antique auctions and sites like eBay. Some coal scuttles are shallower and rounder with a pouring spout, while others are relatively tall and narrow with an angled lip. Either kind can work for your DIY planter.

If you're ready to say goodbye to traditional planters and use vintage finds instead, the main transformation you'll need to make to upcycle an antique coal scuttle from the '40s into a plant pot is to add drainage holes to the bottom of it. You'll need to use drill bits that are adapted to drilling through the type of metal the container is made of, such as cobalt bits, which can pierce materials like stainless steel, cast iron, and bronze.

Once you have drainage holes, you can add potting soil and plant your flowers or foliage. However, even though a coal scuttle may look absolutely lovely used as a planter, some materials will rust when placed in the elements. To prevent this, paint it with a rust-resistant outdoor paint to protect it from rain and moisture, but take care not to grow edible plants in the container unless the paint is indicated as food-safe. Some gardeners may prefer to freshen up their upcycled antique planter from the '40s with a coat of paint anyway.