Whitewashed Terracotta Candleholders

Create chic, affordable, antique style candleholders with this simple DIY Whitewashed Terracotta Candleholders project using terracotta pots, saucers, paint, and rub-on transfers.

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Is there anything better than the soft glow of candlelight shining through the darkness of night?  When people tell me they miss the glow after the holiday season passes, I always tell them to get LED candles.  They can really create a cozy vibe no matter the season.

So when I started to change my decor around for summer, I invested in some new LED candles and made some new candleholders to go with them.  Since I'm all about my garden right now, I transformed small terracotta pots into vintage inspired candleholders made with a whitewashed matte finish and botanical rub-on transfers.

If you're looking for a seasonal way to add some cozy candlelight into your summer evenings, this project is great for indoor or outdoor use!  If using outdoors, I would use paint specifically made for outdoor use.  Make sure that you use outdoor Mod Podge, too, if you add rub-on transfers to the candleholders.

As for the LED candles, they make outdoor specific candles that are waterproof and include timers.  You wouldn't want to use the wax coated LED candles outside during the hot summer months unless you want a big, melted mess!

Whitewashed Terracotta Candleholders

This project probably took me an hour total to make only because I had to wait for the paint and Mod Podge to dry between coats.  Otherwise, it's a relatively simple project that looks like a chic boutique find!  It's a pretty piece of decor during the day and a lovely way to add some candlelight at night.

Two small terracotta pots sit flipped over with terracotta saucers on top. Bottle of Gorilla Super Glue sits in front of pots.

To get this project started, I flipped the terracotta over and used super glue to glue the terracotta on top.  Allow the glue to dry completely before moving on.

Terracotta pot and saucer being painted by a foam brush with white acrylic paint. Container of white paint sits in background.

White wash painted terracotta pots and saucers turned into candleholders. Paper towels sits inside top of candleholder. Container of paint and top of foam brush also sit in photo.

Next, I used a foam brush to apply a little white paint at a time.  Then, I took a paper towel and spread the paint around.  You want a light coating with a worn and slightly unfinished look.  When that look was achieved, I allowed the paint to dry completely.

If you really want to give the candleholders a worn and weathered look, grab some light grit sandpaper.  Then, gently sand the edges of the saucer and pot.  Lightly sand anywhere you want a "rough" finish.

Now, here's where things got interesting.  I decided to add rub-on transfers in an assortment of botanical designs.  Maybe it was because I haven't used rub-on transfers since the 80's or early 90's.  Or maybe it was because I had a slightly uneven painted surface, but the transfers didn't take as well as I hoped they would.

Still, I embraced it and think the transfers add to the rustic, antique look of these candleholders.  So it worked out in the end!

White Washed Terracotta Candle Holders brushed with Mod Podge. Bottle of Mod Podge sits in background. Foam brush sits inside front candle holder.

Once the transfers were applied, I added a light coat of Mod Podge to seal everything up.  Allow the Mod Podge to dry about 30 minutes.

Close up photo of White Washed Terracotta Candle Holder with metallic gold botanical transfer detail. White LED candle sits on top. Second candleholder sits in background.

After that, I set my LED candles on top, set the timer, and can now enjoy an extra flickering glow of candlelight every night!

Horizontal photo of White Washed Terracotta Candle Holder supplies including terracotta pots and saucers, white paint, super glue, foam brushes, LED candles, and rub-on transfers.

SUPPLIES

STEPS

  1. Make sure the terracotta pot and saucer are clean and dry.  Then, flip the pot over and glue the saucer on top.  Allow glue to dry completely.
  2. Use a foam brush to lightly apply white paint to candleholder.  Once paint is applied, use a paper towel to spread it around, giving the candleholder and unfinished look.  Repeat as necessary, then allow paint to dry completely.
  3. If desired, add rub-on transfers to the candleholders.  Follow directions on product packaging for application.
  4. Apply a light coat of Mod Podge to seal.  Allow to dry.
  5. Place LED candles on top and display.

The best part about these candleholders is that they really aren't for one season use!  You can dress them up for each season with small wreaths at the base of the candles, or wrap the candles with different color ribbon. You can even change out the candles each season to fit your decor.

Did you make this Whitewashed Terracotta Candleholders project? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!

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