Hey, there, it’s Sarah of www.sadieseasongoods.com again, with a new upcycling idea for you.

May is the gateway to Summer here in the South and that means backyard BBQs and lots of family fun outside! If you want to add some color and whimsy to your yard this season, why not decorate your fence (or shed, or deck, etc.) with big, colorful plastic flowers? They’re SO EASY to “make” and use something you can find at one of the Charlotte Region ReStores all the time!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Plastic Divided Food Trays
• Paint (Spray or Brush-On)
• Painter’s Tape, Newspaper, or Tin Foil
• UV-Resistant Topcoat
• Drill and Bits
• Jute Twine or Cotton String
• Scissors

Safety first!

For any spray painting or waterproofing that you do, make sure you have a well-ventilated area to work in. When drilling a hole into each plastic tray, go slow and steady, keeping your fingers away from the spot that you’re drilling.

Here’s how I made these Fence Decorations:

• Head to one of our 7 Charlotte Region ReStore locations and check out the housewares section (particularly the plastic food storage shelves) and look for divided plastic trays.
• Because when you flip them over, they look A LOT like flowers, don’t they?

• All you need to do is paint the centers (where dip would typically go, if used for food). You can either spray paint or brush paint the flower centers, depending on your preference and what supplies you have on hand. For mine, I isolated the centers with newspaper and painter’s tape to spray paint, but brush painting would be just as easy!
• When your paint has dried, use a clear topcoat that has UV protection on your flowers. This will help keep them from fading in the sun. To be on the safe side, I gave my flowers two full coats. It may not prevent fading completely, but it’ll at least slow it down! 

• Once your flowers are sealed with topcoat, drill a hole in the center of one “petal”. Make sure the hole is large enough for a double loop of twine or string. Then, create a hanging loop (as long as you need for your particular fence placement) and pull it through the hole.
• Hang your oversized plastic flowers and enjoy the bright colors and festive feel they bring to your yard! Don’t have a fence? Try hanging one on your front door in place of a wreath!

Backyard Fun and Whimsy

Are you loving this fun way to create a whimsical decorations to hang outside? Take a snap and tag us (@cltregionrestore and @sadieseasongoods) with the hashtag #ReStoreFenceDecor .