Do you know what is one of the simplest ways to add value to your home? Curb appeal. Yep, that first impression you give to the passerby or guest coming to visit, or even a potential buyer. Maybe we all can’t afford to have our home landscaped, but we can sure add things to pump up the outside of our home. Today I’m sharing the newest addition to my curb appeal arsenal with my DIY planter. Two for less than $40!! {{fist pump}} Let me show you how easy it really can be with a new tool.
I’m just a little stoked to get these done and share them with you as I have had them in my brain for quite some time. From start to finish I made this pair in a day. I’m tickled at how versatile they are for any decor – leave them natural or add your favorite stain or paint. You can even adjust the dimensions to suit your space.
*post sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
Ready to become that weekend warrior and take your home to a new level? Let’s get our build on with this DIY planter!
TERMS OF USE: when you create this planter, you agree to the following: it cannot be shared or distributed for monetary gain in any way, it may not be modified in any way, and you may not claim the work as your own. This planter design can not be used as decor in a store either online or brick and mortar. Thanks for complying!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Materials – wood can be either pressure treated pine or cedar
- 8 – 6″ x 8′ fence boards cut to 21″, 4 need to be ripped to 4 13/16″
- 4 – 2″ x 2″x 26″ posts
- 8 – 2″ x 2″ x 11″ cross pieces
- scrap 2″ x 1 2″ or whatever you have on hand for bottom slats
- 8 – 1 x 2″ x 8″ strips for “X” slats – we’ll cut those later
- 1″ brads
- ¾” crown staples
- 1 ¼” exterior or construction screws
- Thompson’s WaterSeal in Acorn Brown (or color of choice, also optional)
- heavy duty black plastic
- potting soil
- flowers/plants of choice
Tools
- Kreg Jig pocket hole system
- jig saw
- brad nailer or stapler (see nails/staples sizes above)
- miter saw, circular saw, table saw, or hand saw
- drill
- HomeRight Light Duty Stain Sprayer
- HomeRight Spray Shelter (optional)
- bench top planer or sander (if preferred)
- tape measure
- pencil
- small level
- safety equipment – ear and eye protection, dust mask or respirator, and gloves
Okay, so now you have your supplies and tools we can get started. To begin, I typically I like to cut my pieces at once and then assemble all together. However, I’m going to suggest you cut all but the thin strips for the “X” on the side. I’ll explain in a bit.
Step 1: Assemble the Frame
Using your Kreg Jig set at ¾” bit depth and ¾” hole depth, drill both ends of your 11″ cross pieces on the same face. I look for the face that has imperfections so that I can have the best side facing out.
Once those pieces are prepped, we are going to mark on our 26″ posts. Measure 2″ in on one end and 3″ in on the other end for all four posts. Using your drill, attach the cross pieces at the 2″ and 3″ intervals as the diagram shows above. Check each side to see if they’re level. Being a little off won’t matter much, but we do need it to be pretty square for the next step.
Step 2: Creating your “X” pieces
Now you have your empty frame. The next step is more of a prepping stage than building. For this quick fix lady, I found it easier to make my “X” cuts before I attached the side panels. Here’s why: trying to figure those angles and moving my miter saw back and forth would be a pain. So I measured a top corner diagonal down to the bottom corner. I added a bit to the length for overlap and then cut one of the strips to length.(approximately 22″)
After I had that diagonal length piece, I laid the planter frame on top of it and marked the angles as shown below.
Now that you have your markings, you can cut it with a jig saw. Much easier than figuring angles. Next, you need to create the alternate “X” pieces. I put the piece I just cut in my frame as a dry fit and then measured from the upper right corner to the “X” piece. Again, cut it a little longer to allow for angled cuts. Lay it against the frame and mark. Likewise, repeat that process for the opposing corner.
Here is what mine looked like in a dry fit – not attached yet. Not bad if I do say so myself for my first try at a DIY planter.
At this point, you will continue cutting and working around your frame using your first “X” as a stencil. All of your sides will not be perfect, so using the jig saw to make tweaks as you dry-fit each side will make it go faster.
Step 3: Install side panels
When all your “X”‘s are cut, you can being to install the side panels. I preferred a more rustic look to my planter with the fence panels being left shaggy. However, you could certainly clean them up with a bench top planer to take it off for a sleek look.
You will be using four of the boards in standard width, and four boards in the ripped dimensions above.
First, attach your standard width boards using your nailer as shown. You will be attaching at both the top and bottom.
Next, using your ripped board, attach those onto the other two sides remaining. Your DIY planter is almost there!
Step 4: Attaching the “X” pieces
Attach your pre-cut “X” pieces using your brad nailer and 1″ brads. This part is self-explanatory.
Step 5: Adding the bottom slats
Since I built two of these in one day, I had plenty of scrap and needed to add a few bottom slats to hold the soil in. Your build may be different than mine, so I measured my finished build from side to side and then cut accordingly. To attach them, I simply used my Kreg Jig again to make pocket holes as shown below. Easy-peasy.
Step 6: Paint or Stain (if desired)
Fun part, fun part!! I love to build, but seeing your project come to fruition in the finish is glorious. This is the point where you can leave the DIY planter as-is and they will age with the weather, or you can seal them with either an outdoor paint or stain. I choose to use a solid stain by Thompson’s WaterSeal in Acorn Brown and a new tool, the HomeRight Light Duty Stain Sprayer.
You can see me use a sprayer in these past projects. This sprayer is just as nice, so I stopped to make a video.
This thing knocked my socks off! I should have known it would be so cool, but man, what a back, time, and stress saver!
Now my mind is reeling about what else I can get done around here AND where was this thing when I brushed our pergola?? {{head-smack}}
Okay…let’s continue, shall we? deep breath.
Step 7: Line the planter
Your stain or paint is done. Next, grab your roll of black plastic liner and cut two 5′ lengths. (or longer if needed) I found mine at a local home improvement store for $8 for a 50′ roll.
Find center of your plastic and stuff it down into the planter. Starting at one side, fold the top edges flush with the top of the planter. Overlap the plastic at two sides that need it and staple up. Last, finish by stapling around the top edge to secure.
THE REVEAL
Finally, give yourself a high five and fill that puppy up! You can use a topiary, trees, or like I did and grab a hanging basket flower bunch and drop it in.
Not only do I now have some updated planters for each season of the year, but I even made some for our garage door area too (aka workshop – who needs cars in there anyway?). Curb appeal here I come!
I love how that stain matched my faux wood treatment I did a few years ago. See the tutorial HERE.
My hope is that you are inspired to give this DIY planter a try, if not for yourself, then certainly a gift would be sweet.
While you’re at it, pin and share this DIY planter so that others can save and score BIG on the budget saving decor.
UPDATE
Finally, after a few years, I decided with our new door installation that my DIY planters needed a new look. Take a peek HERE.
Up next, it’s Furniture Fixer Upper time and this vintage tea cart is getting a new lease on life. Come see the after HERE.
What is more, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
In addition, more build plans like my DIY planter:
You are a pro with tools. I always have to get my husband to help me. Love the planter boxes.
Thanks, Janice! It is a treat to have a husband to work with too.
Love the design of the planters. A stain sprayer? Hmmm, I will need to check into that.
Thanks! You would love it, Debra.
Sounds like a life saver for some projects!
I kid you not. 😀
Beautiful project! I really like the color you chose as well. What would I do with a stain sprayer?! I’ve got an entire deck that needs to be re-stained, I know exactly how I’d use it!! 🙂
wahoo!! That is perfect. 😀
I love the design of your planters. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thanks, Donna.
Ah! These are so pretty! I am also a homeschooling mama, and am completely impressed you have the time to squeeze in everything– You’re my hero 😉 I have a chicken house that would really love that stain sprayer (I’m sure that is just the beginning, lol!) Thanks again for all your great ideas. You motivate me to step out of my comfort zone!
Wish I had a chicken house! I even asked the mayor and he said no. 🙁 The neighboring city allows hens and I wish they would here!
Ugh, I wish they would too! My kids spend most of their days running around the yard hugging chickens. (Apparently it’s pretty therapeutic 😉
I’m with the kids! hahaha….
Just liloveve following you wonderful as always im going to try and. Make thosr have a wonderful day
What a treat to hear. Hope you have fun with it, Christina!
You are super handy with tools!! Love that your kids enjoy the process, too:)
My motto has always been #toolsoverjewels (even before hashtags as I am old…ha!)
I have a table and some chairs I would try the sprayer out on. Thanks for the chance to win!
You bet!
Great planters! Your house is darling and has plenty of curb appeal. Love the video, you are too cute.
Love your planter boxes.
Have a shadowbox fence that needs to be redone so the sprayer sure would come in handy for doing such a large job. Much quicker and easier with a sprayer than using a brush I’m sure.
Thank You for this giveaway opportunity
Oh yes, I am looking to do my picket fence too. What a blast…literally!
Looks awesome and your tutorials are the best! I would use the sprayer on an old trunk I want to refurbish.
What a perfect spring project! I love how they add height to the entry.
Love the planters! That sprayer would save me so much time! Would use it FIRST on my drop leaf dining table.
Aha! A stain sprayer – very cool. My decks and pergola are so ready for a refresh! Super job on the planters!
I have been dreaming of owning one of these! I have some chairs sitting in my garage I need to paint! Love these planters though!
Sprayers make life so much easier. You must get one!
Those are so cute! I love seeing everything you do on IG! I’d love to make some for my porch to hide the ugly cement! Outside projects intimidate me because it’s outside of my wheelhouse (pun intended?) but this tool looks easy to use!
hahaha…this would be perfect!
wonderful job as usual kiddo! I would use the sprayer to re-do the bench we gave my father-in-law as a father’s day gift. He has since passed and we were able to keep it. It’s very sentimental to my husband.
Wow — these are beautiful, Larissa! Despite my minimal carpentry skills, I believe I could manage this build. They would look so pretty flanking our side entry. Thank you for the opportunity to win the stain sprayer. It is definitely something that would get used around here!
Our deck is in terrible shape and needs to be stained badly !!! I see this stain sprayer as being the answer to our dilemma. Thank you for this informative post.
I would use the sprayer for kitchen cabinets. Would be spook much easier than using a paint brush.
Perfect project.
The planters look great!
A stain sprayer would mean lots of fun projects get done at my house!
Thanks! You can imagine my excitement. 😀
What a difference substantial planters can make versus the pot the plants come in. And what a cost savings over a store bought planter!
Yes, those pots they come in are horrid, but functional. I am so happy to have saved so much!
Love the planter boxes! Great job!
Thanks, Nancy!
I’ve always wanted a paint sprayer – thanks for the opportunity! And your planters are beautiful – I love the flower choice 🙂
Sprayers are a life saver for sure.
I have a dining room china cabinet that could use this sprayer!
Ooh…that would be sweet!
I don’t know if I could do all that measuring and cutting, but I’d like to try!
Thanks for the giveaway!
It really goes fast once you start. You can do it! And my pleasure.
Great idea. I have been thinking along the same lines about putting some planters near my front door. I have found that planters by the front door are a great way to incorporate the colors of the season. (In the winter, I use artificial greenery).
I’ve been thinking about getting a sprayer to make painting easier. I have a big painting project for this summer. I moved into my home this past September and the fence in the back yard needs to be stained. I am not looking forward to doing this by hand — one unstained/bare wood slat at a time.
Yes! I put faux greens in mine during the winter and plant during spring, summer. So fun! Sounds like you need this sprayer too.
Love them. I have to make some of these.
Wonderful!!
I think I’d start by refinishing the front porch decking. That would give me a spot to put out some lovely planters like you did.
That sounds like a perfect plan. I love the feeling when it’s all done.
I have a headboard and nightstand on my diy list. Your blog is so inspirational…makes me think I can tackle things I wouldn’t have otherwise!
What a treat to hear, Ester. Thank you!
I have a bookshelf that could use a make-over!
Excellent! 😀
After 13 years of homeschooling, we are finally graduating our first student!! YAY!!!
I am looking for some new things to tackle this summer before we heard right back into getting the next 4 graduated! One of the projects on my list is to refinish the rockers and benches on our patio. This sprayer would make that go oh so much faster that I could actually sit and maybe read a completely non-school related book or 2 this summer 🙂
Hip, hip HOORAY!! Congratulations to all of you as I know it takes a family to make it through. We hope to be there some day.
Love it! You sure are handy with tools.
Thanks! You know what I say…#toolsoverjewels 😀
My husband does woodworking projects and he often times likes to stain the pieces he makes. I’m sure we could make great use of this handy tool. ?
I bet he could. Better start that honey-do list. 😉
Cute planters! Thanks for the plans so we can do too! We need to “finish” a picnic table that we built. The sprayer would save alotta energy!
Ooh…it would indeed because I hand-stained my a couple of years ago and it’s a 12′ table with 4 benches. I soooo could’ve used this thing!
Awesome job!!
Thank you!
Oh, Larissa, you just keep bringing the best to us! I love these planters! What a sweet giveaway, thank you for the opportunity! Wish I had it now… we’re redoing our deck. But I can always find something else!
I give it my best, Patty. Thank you for saying so. You certainly will find uses for it! I do!
i love how you can see something new in something old. The stain sprayer looks amazing.
Thank you for the love, Sandy. It really is an amazing tool.
Larissa, you a such a power tool diva, I am so impressed with your idea, these planters came out better than store bought! I love that you can customize your plans to fit your own needs. I would love to win the HomeRight Stain sprayer to take care of my deck, railings, and stairs this summer!
tee hee hee. I love to build more than anything, just need the time to do it. Sounds like this sprayer would get a workout at your house. 😀
I would paint my son’s dresser.
Sweet!
I love the planters! I have a beautiful older bench that I would love to spruce up!
Thanks! I have one that’ll be getting renewed too. Yay!
These planters are awesome and since Iam disabled this sprayer would make it so much easier Thank You for the giveaway!!!
My absolute pleasure!
I absolutely love your build! I would paint a pair of side tables I recently bought.
I’m so happy to hear it, Rachel. Thank you.
The dressers sitting in my garage!
yahoo!! Sounds like a plan!
These are absolutely adorable! Nice work!
aww…thank, Michelle!
I would tackle my deck and porch!
Bring it on. 😀
I love all of your work and tutorials!
Huge hugs to you, Crystal!
Waay nicer than the pallet one I made for my home
aww…I’m happy to hear you like it, Mike. Thank you!
I am so amazed by what you can do! I would love to be able to do half of what you can accomplish,love the planters!!
I try to share productive ideas for you and I totally appreciate you saying so. Thank you!
Love the planters, they look wonderful and very “upscale” too. I would love the sprayer – we put in a new wood fence last fall and now it needs to be stained…would that ever be a time saver, and yes, save our backs, too, lol. Thanks for the opportunity.
This would be perfect for that, for sure.
We just bought our first home! I would love to win these for it. 🙂
These would be perfect!
I just love the project you did, and if I won, I would make the same project as your my for my front porch. They look amazing.
Now that’s a compliment! Thank you.
Love your build! I would tackle my fence. I don’t like the color.
Thanks! This would make it a breeze.
Adorable planters! I’d love to use the sprayer for my deck which is in desperate need of staining!
This would make your work so much easier. Thanks for stopping by!
I love browsing your beautiful creations! I’ve done a few but I’m not nearly as awesome as you! Do you by chance have a blog about your favorite paints, stains, waxes, etc.? I’ve just been using what my local hardware store has but I would like to use something else.. Thank you!!!
What a fun thing to hear. Thanks! I typically use a Glidden paint, RustOleum stains, and make my own wax. Nothing fancy, but I do use other brands from time to time. Just depends on what I’m after. Have a good one!
Love the planters but would like to know what the wreath is made of. Boxwood? What kind of frame used? It’s beautiful. Thank you
It is a faux boxwood wreath with pre-lit lights from Balsam Hill.
Can you tell me what color the front door is? 🙂
It’s a custom color I mixed myself. Sorry. 🙂