Do it. To avoid that plunked look you want all you have to do is group your containers together by the threes or more. Turn an empty container upside down to serve as a pedestal so that you can provide a little height for some of your plants.

Another thing that you can do is change the containers for the season. Start out will early spring flowering bulbs then change to spring flowers, summer flowers and finally fall flowers. If you're into hellebores, you could fill in for winter with hose.

YES! Use containers in your garden. I have some set on posts sunk in the ground, some on rocks/boulders, driftwood, grouped (like Dorie mentioned), hanging from shepherds crooks and anything else that will support a pot, and more. I think my gardens would be only half as interesting w/o the additional container plantings.

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This is one corner of the front garden. You can see the liberal use of containers all about.
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Al