DIY Planter Box

DIY Planter Box

We've all been there, we buy seasonal plants like chrysanthemums (mums) and poinsettias to put on our front porch during autumn and the holiday season. We've been gifted potted plants for a housewarming or holiday party. Alternatively, we've picked them up during a trip to the local farmers market finding inspiration from their large plastic outdoor planters. However, we aren't quite ready to plant them (or don't have a ‘pretty' pot to put them in). Or, maybe you rent your home (or apartment) and cannot plant those pretty plants we all want to have outside our homes. These pretty boxes are the perfect solution to hide those black plastic pots. We hope that this DIY Planter Box post inspires you. 

DIY Planter Box

It was a team effort to make this plant box with my son using a small electric saw to cut the wood, my partner making the legs and base, and then I put it all together and did the cosmetic touches.

Supplies

• Wood garden stakes (we used 4) – alternatively you can use sticks, wood offcuts, etc.
• Small saw (if you need to cut your wood)
• Wood glue
• Crafting moss
• Spray paint
• Clear lacquer – dries clear and is good for outdoor projects
• Hot glue
• Sanding block

Directions

Plastic pots come in a variety of sizes, so first decide what size you will use the most, or make plant boxes in a range of sizes, you could even make longer boxes to accommodate a couple of pots at a time, you'll just need a couple of extra pieces of wood at the base to hold the pots.

The first step is to cut your wood into the same size pieces, and then, cut a few a little smaller to make the base, and then assorted sizes for the legs, which you'll see below.

Sand the rough edges of your wood now, or you can wait until your project is assembled, just don't forget to do it before painting.

Begin assembling the main box section of your plant box by criss-crossing the pieces of wood, holding each together with wood glue. Keep building up until you've reached your desired height. I kept putting my plastic pot inside until I had it at the correct height.

Once the wood glue is dry, turn your box over and add smaller sections to the base that the pot will sit on. This will help water to drain through the center and stop your plant from falling all the way through.

Then, you can start assembling the legs. Gluing each piece together with the wood glue. Pop something heavy on top and set aside until the glue is completely dry. I left ours overnight.

If you haven't sanded the rough ends, now is the time to do it, and then you can start painting. I experimented with paint for a few days. At first, wanting silver at the base and white on the top, then blue on the top and gold on the base, then I drove my partner insane re-painting over and over again so I settled on a shabby chic white finish, which I sanded after painting to reveal some of the other colors through the finish.

Apply a clear lacquer, this will help protect the wood from water and the weather, although you should still keep it under a cover whether it be your front porch or back patio.

The final step was to add crafting moss between the wood in the main box section, this adds a little color while still hiding the plastic pots. Use hot glue to keep it in place.

And the result is a pretty plant box that's the perfect addition to your outdoor space and that hides those plastic pots. We hope that you are inspired by this DIY Planter Box. Good luck!

Fall Front Porch