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Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

Inspiration: Garden Pots and Planters

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It's finally starting to feel like summer outside. The sun is out, the air is warm, and flowers are in bloom everywhere. Well, perhaps everywhere except your backyard.

Maybe you didn't have the time in Spring to plant, or you're not good at keeping plants alive, but it's never too late to add color to your outdoor space.

Pots and planters are quick and easy ways to create a container garden that is both simple and stunning. Put thought into the planters you buy, thinking about what plants would be best to match with them, and coordinate with what you already have.

Great garden pots can add just as much beauty to your garden as the plants themselves. Here are some of my favorite planters...

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Whitewashed urns are perfect for a bright summer garden. (potterybarn.com)

1 Whitewashed urns are perfect for a bright summer garden. (potterybarn.com)

Bowl planters will add an unexpected element in your backyard. (arizonapottery.com)

2 Bowl planters will add an unexpected element in your backyard. (arizonapottery.com)

The texture of this pot reminds me of ripples in water. It's a nice touch for a natural setting. (arizonapottery.com)

3 The texture of this pot reminds me of ripples in water. It's a nice touch for a natural setting. (arizonapottery.com)

I am obsessed with the blue glaze on this planter. It's absolutely mesmerizing. (campaniainternational.com)

4 I am obsessed with the blue glaze on this planter. It's absolutely mesmerizing. (campaniainternational.com)

I'm really drawn to modern planters. There's something great about combining natural pieces with industrial metal boxes. (cb2.com)

5 I'm really drawn to modern planters. There's something great about combining natural pieces with industrial metal boxes. (cb2.com)

The wavy edges on these pots create a whimsical, feminine effect. (campaniainternational.com)

6 The wavy edges on these pots create a whimsical, feminine effect. (campaniainternational.com)

This planter reminds me of an acorn. It has such a rich, nutty color, perfect for displaying outdoors. (homedepot.com)

7 This planter reminds me of an acorn. It has such a rich, nutty color, perfect for displaying outdoors. (homedepot.com)

The charcoal tone of this planter is a great contrast to the bright green things that will go in it. (crateandbarrel.com)

8 The charcoal tone of this planter is a great contrast to the bright green things that will go in it. (crateandbarrel.com)

The finish on this planter is absolutely spectacular. It will be the focus of your summer garden party. (homedepot.com)

9 The finish on this planter is absolutely spectacular. It will be the focus of your summer garden party. (homedepot.com)

This weathered jar looks like it just got off the boat from Italy. It will add a great rustic element to your backyard. (crateandbarrel.com)

10 This weathered jar looks like it just got off the boat from Italy. It will add a great rustic element to your backyard. (crateandbarrel.com)

Wooden planters can often look cheap, but these blonde kiri wood boxed planters are very chic and streamlined. (jamaligarden.com)

11 Wooden planters can often look cheap, but these blonde kiri wood boxed planters are very chic and streamlined. (jamaligarden.com)

This is a perfect set of planters. You can get several in different sizes and your whole space will match. (jamaligarden.com)

12 This is a perfect set of planters. You can get several in different sizes and your whole space will match. (jamaligarden.com)

Most boxed planters can be a bit frilly. I like this no-nonsense version. (crateandbarrel.com)

13 Most boxed planters can be a bit frilly. I like this no-nonsense version. (crateandbarrel.com)

The garland detailing on this round pot is so regal. (pennoyernewman.com)

14 The garland detailing on this round pot is so regal. (pennoyernewman.com)

You can't go wrong with this planter. It will look good with almost anything in it. (pennoyernewman.com)

15 You can't go wrong with this planter. It will look good with almost anything in it. (pennoyernewman.com)

I like that these terra cotta pots are unrefined. It makes them look more authentic and rustic. (jamaligarden.com)

16 I like that these terra cotta pots are unrefined. It makes them look more authentic and rustic. (jamaligarden.com)

This unique scallop shell planter should be filled with flowers as beautiful as Aphrodite herself. (pennoyer.com)

17 This unique scallop shell planter should be filled with flowers as beautiful as Aphrodite herself. (pennoyer.com)

This boxed planter looks like it belongs in the gardens of Versailles. (pennoyer.com)

18 This boxed planter looks like it belongs in the gardens of Versailles. (pennoyer.com)

These buckets can be used as storage, but I think they look best as planters. They're charming in any backyard. (potterybarn.com)

19 These buckets can be used as storage, but I think they look best as planters. They're charming in any backyard. (potterybarn.com)

Your plants will look right at home in these mossy planters. (potterybarn.com)

20 Your plants will look right at home in these mossy planters. (potterybarn.com)

I imagine these planters with vines spilling over the sides. It's a very dramatic look. (restorationhardware.com)

21 I imagine these planters with vines spilling over the sides. It's a very dramatic look. (restorationhardware.com)

A pair of these tall white planters will create a dramatic look for your home's entryway. (homedepot.com)

22 A pair of these tall white planters will create a dramatic look for your home's entryway. (homedepot.com)

I am dazzled by these brass planters. (target.com)

23 I am dazzled by these brass planters. (target.com)

These planters may look like they weigh a ton, but they're actually light-weight making them perfect for sun-decks or patios. (restorationhardware.com)

24 These planters may look like they weigh a ton, but they're actually light-weight making them perfect for sun-decks or patios. (restorationhardware.com)

The definition of affordable elegance. This great planter is available at Target! (target.com)

25 The definition of affordable elegance. This great planter is available at Target! (target.com)

The distressed finish on these boxes makes the planters look both modern and aged. (treillage.com)

26 The distressed finish on these boxes makes the planters look both modern and aged. (treillage.com)

These large boxed planters would be great as a set in front of an entryway or driveway. (treillage.com)

27 These large boxed planters would be great as a set in front of an entryway or driveway. (treillage.com)

There's something sumptuous about this white planter. I think it's paired perfectly with hydrangeas. (treillage.com)

28 There's something sumptuous about this white planter. I think it's paired perfectly with hydrangeas. (treillage.com)

The rope trim on these terra cotta pots is a great embellishment. (benwolffpottery.com)

29 The rope trim on these terra cotta pots is a great embellishment. (benwolffpottery.com)

The trim on this pot is demure and elegant. (benwolffpottery.com)

30 The trim on this pot is demure and elegant. (benwolffpottery.com)

I think white planters are stunning. They're a nice change of pace from the normal earthy tones. (benwolffpottery.com)

31 I think white planters are stunning. They're a nice change of pace from the normal earthy tones. (benwolffpottery.com)

There's endless ways you can use pots to decorate your outdoor living space this summer. Check out marthastewartliving.com/photogallery/garden-containers for potting how-to's and decorating projects. Have fun!

32 There's endless ways you can use pots to decorate your outdoor living space this summer. Check out marthastewartliving.com/photogallery/garden-containers for potting how-to's and decorating projects. Have fun!

I love the simple, classic look of these boxed white planters. They would look great along a pathway. (homedepot.com)

33 I love the simple, classic look of these boxed white planters. They would look great along a pathway. (homedepot.com)

I hope these pots and planters inspire you to create a container garden before the summer is through.

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