Refresh Your Space for Summer With a Succulent DIY

This post comes from our blog intern, Natalie!

Each year when summer rolls around, breathing new life into the foliage that grows so abundantly outdoors, I begin to desire the same kind of refresh for my own space.
My solution to the urge to emulate the transformation happening outside is to bring nature into my own home. Small hints of greenery tucked in between other décor can have a wondrous effect when revitalizing a space for the new season.

I have found the best plants for these small shifts of fresh energy are succulents. Not only do they require very little watering, but their small size allows them to be planted in unique containers. A trip to a local thrift store will surely provide you with inexpensive glasses that, following the directions below, you can transform into your own indoor version of this beautiful time of year!

What you need:

3 small succulents

3 cocktail glasses, varied in size (these are easy to find at a local thrift store)

Potting soil

Gold metallic spray paint

Gold leaf paint

Paintbrush

Twine

Scissors

After gathering all the necessary materials, the first step is to determine which succulents will fit best in the different sized glasses you collect.

Evenly cover two of the three cocktail glasses with gold spray paint. The trick to achieving a smooth and streak free finish is to do several light layers of the spray paint, allowing each coat to dry in between.

Once the glasses have fully dried it’s time to use the twine! Glue one end of the twine to the base of the glass’s stem with a dab of hot glue. Tightly wrap the twine up a small section of the stem, securing the other end of the string with hot glue. Repeat this step two to three more times, leaving space between each section until most of the stem is covered.

Get creative with your third cocktail and gold leaf paint! I covered the surface of mine using a thin brush in a simple design alternating between small lines, dots, and triangles.

Give your succulents a new home in your freshly decorated glasses. Remove the succulents one at a time, carefully placing each one in the base of the glass. Fill the space around the edges with soil, making sure the plant is secure but the soil is still loose.

Once you have planted all three succulents, give them some water and find them a space with ample sunshine!

+ How are you decorating your home for summer? Please share in the comments below!

More DIY ideas from the BLDG 25 blog.

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