Ugly planter

by Winks74

+73

Answered

No clue what to do with this ugly permanent planter. I want to demolish it but it looks cemented to the floor and a floor redo isn't in the budget. Ideas, suggestions?

This monstrosity

Inside the beast

Side view

64 answers

Jan Herman on Sep 09, 2015
Paint it white and grow some tall greenery in it to balance off the base.

1 marked as helpful Reply
Janet Pizaro on Sep 09, 2015
I would paint it the a tone of your existing wall color to aid in disguising the planter. Insert some tall plants. Do not plant inside the piece .

Helpful Reply
Martha on Sep 09, 2015
My daughter's house has one of these. I like the others' ideas. Or you could make a pretty wooden bench top for it and use the inside to store things. Or add a narrow shelf and top and use it as an entry console.

Helpful Reply
Z on Sep 09, 2015
Depending on your skill level, you could simply add a wooden top stained to match your door or painted like your trim. I'd also add trim up the sides where the brick isn't flush with the wall. That could be painted to match the wall or the brick as you don't want it to stand out. If you have more skills and want to make it something more useful, you could cut out the center area of one side or the other and add shelves as shown in the virtual drawing I did for you. I'd cut the brick just above the bottom row through the grout and the sides at the shortest grout lines so you'd have less actual brick to cut through. I showed where I meant in the second drawing.

Helpful Reply

Sandra Whittier on Sep 09, 2015
If you decide to remove the planter, buy enough tile to use in the entry. Many homes use tile in the entry so you don't ruin carpet or flooring around the door. Pick and chose the planks of wood you would like to keep and make it look more finished by extending some of the boards on the right with some of the boards to the left of the hole on the left from the planter. Begin by laying cardboard on each side of the hole so you don't scratch the wood around the hole. I put a shelf on top of mine and keep it for keys or key holders, cell phones are the last thought as you leave so I have the recharge stations set up right there at the door. the planter could be kept there and remove one side to make a bookcase to the inside of the room. So many choices! I like mine to keep people herded out the door.

Helpful Reply
Mariann on Sep 09, 2015
Add a wood top with a hole cut to hold an ice bucket, wine holder on the wall, accessories and make it a wine bar.

Helpful Reply
Z on Sep 09, 2015
Great ideas from Sandra and Mariann. They got my creative juices going again and I though of another idea to turn it into a hiding place. When you make the wooden top, cut a piece that would fit just inside the opening of the brick. Attach that to the bottom of the top piece. You could easily store umbrellas overshoes inside.

Helpful Reply
Moxie on Sep 09, 2015
I think I would knock it down half way, add a bench top (hinged) and back that goes up to the ceiling on a 2 x 4 stud wall (flipped sideways to make is thinner) and create an entry coat area and then doe the shelving unit on the other side. I would also whitewash the brick.

Helpful Reply
Fiona Dorse on Sep 10, 2015
You could keep building it up and make a feature wall out of it.

Helpful Reply

Linda on Sep 10, 2015
How about painting it, or covering it with decorating flooring or tiles that will pull it into the room, and look like you intended it to be there?

Helpful Reply
Melody McSweeney on Sep 10, 2015
I'd cover sides with wainscotting add- a shelf top -adda plant or decorative accessoryand a beautiful bowl or basket for keys and viola! you've created a welcoming foyer!

Helpful Reply
Angela Smith on Sep 10, 2015
Definitely a bar,remove some bricks from one side 6/7 courses down in some staggerd pattern then put a removable shelf in. Store your bottles in the bottom, another shelf on the top with some fancy edging on 3 sides, ,,, a bespoke bar and talking point too from a unsightly nuisance, ,good luck x 0:)

Helpful Reply
Nan on Sep 10, 2015
I like Linda's idea of blending it in to make it look like a part of the floor, like it was meant to be there. Make a cover for it and use to display a gorgeous flower arrangement. Just my thoughts.

Helpful Reply
Heliane Ripley on Sep 10, 2015
Or build a bookcase in the exact size of the planter but leave the top shelf off. Now build a top out of old fence pickets or pallet wood, which is wide enough to cover both the planter and the book shelf.

Helpful Reply
Cindy Davis on Sep 10, 2015
I like it - I would paint it, white maybe depending on your décor. Then add a shelf of the same color to the top and maybe a basket or bowl for keys, sunglasses, phones - since its in the entry.

Helpful Reply
Purl68 on Sep 10, 2015
Take off the first few layers of bricks, to the height of a bench. Make a bench top by cutting a piece of ply wood then pad and cover to match decor. You could henge the top or add a lip inside the topper to secure the lid. Use the storage for rain gear or what ever. Also gives you a place to sit and remove outside wear

Helpful Reply
Cg Witherell on Sep 10, 2015
Oh my gosh! This looks like my front door. I inherited TWO of these beasts. One at the front door, like yours, and one in the kitchen as a breakfast bar. The one in the kitchen is gone! Trust me, it was not a fun project. (I don't understand why anyone would add that kind of weight when there are so many other alternatives.) I personally liked the way that the planter at the door provided some separation. Mine already had an interior shelf and a top so that I can add live plants or decorations. I painted mine and haven't called it a beast since. lol

Helpful Reply
Kathy on Sep 10, 2015
I would cover the sides with wood and make a top for it. I would also put some kind of flower arrangement on it, so it doesn't become a junk dropoff.

Helpful Reply
Suzy kerr on Sep 10, 2015
I would white wash it again and put in some tall plants like mother in law spikes which will give you a room divider. Or I would take it all out and go to Flor and get some carpet tiles for your entrance that covers this, too

Helpful Reply
M'sMammy on Sep 10, 2015
Build open shelves up to the ceiling

Helpful Reply
Judy Wright on Sep 10, 2015
Could you maybe adhere some sort of top on it (wooden?) and then plaster over the entire thing to make the sides and top smooth to resemble a half wall? Just a thought

Helpful Reply
DianaMarie on Sep 10, 2015
Could you remove the beast, use a piece of plywood etc.. to temporarily fill the area and cover with a rug/furniture? Front door, high traffic area, you may want a rug there anyway, eh? A 5-lb sledge hammer will tame that beast real quick ;-) If you tear it down half way, spend money for bench materials, but hate that "it's" still there, you'll be twice as mad at yourself. Rugs can temporarily hide a multitude of sins. You can enjoy your living area and have more room for the x-mas tree & family this. :)

Helpful Reply
Girl on Sep 10, 2015
Create a little book shelf on the left side, put a top over it and paint it white. Can also use a hinge on the top and have a secret compartment, but can be a little difficult to get the screws on the bricks.

Helpful Reply
Nan on Sep 10, 2015
Seriously......rip it out ! it looks too dark in the room to plant anything in and as a table would collect everything. I would be worried about running into it in a dark room and breaking my foot. lol. you could tile the entrance and add a tile mosaic if you want to be decorative.

Helpful Reply
Sharyn Diaz on Sep 10, 2015
I would remove it, since it is in the way and it isn't built into the floor. The wall will be unaffected and you can deal with the floor finish once the demo is done.

Helpful Reply
Sandy on Sep 10, 2015
I like the bench seating idea if it could be cut down some.i know when guests come and remove their shoes sometimes it would be much easier if we had a bench seat or put a top over the opening and use for a catch all area..utilize some ideas from typing in small entryway organization.you could paint it or stain it to either make it fit in or to bring more attention to it.goodl luck

Helpful Reply
- Rub2035710 on Sep 10, 2015
  @Kegler1000 I agree, cut it down at least half way and make a bench with a top that opens and you could store umbrellas etc inside.
  
  Helpful
Melinda Teal on Sep 10, 2015
It it's not in your budget to remove I would paint it the same color as wall. Then your eyes wouldn't center on the planter. If your not into live plants. Fix a silk arrangement in it or use it as an umbrella caddy. Put a cover over whole and make a what not shelving on it.

Helpful Reply
Gail on Sep 10, 2015
It looks like an afterthought to the room it is not tight to the wall as the baseboard goes behind the brick. It also looks like (from the interior pic) that the hardwood floor runs under it. If floor is real hardwood it could be refinished or build a wooden bench that would look better than that heavy planter. If it was me (and I didn't like it, which I don't) I would knock it down and figure it out after. Good luck.

Helpful Reply
IdahoPiggy on Sep 10, 2015
Oh my.. it looks exactly like the one the we ripped out of our early 50's era ranch style home. you will have to refinish the spot in the floor (yes you will be able to tell something was there) but you can easily cover it with a beautiful throw rug. It is likely not mortared to the wall.

Helpful Reply
Lynnda on Sep 10, 2015
remove it

Helpful Reply
Emilie on Sep 10, 2015
Since floor redo isn't in your budget, I suggest painting it and adding a secure cover on top. Can be used for décor/lamp/etc. Good luck.

Helpful Reply
Nicole W. on Sep 10, 2015
Is that the front door? I would paint it either white or the color of the walls, and insert some planting pots with some tall but slim plants, depending on your style: I think bamboo would look awesome, you can get some very real looking bamboo/other tall plants from Ikea for cheap. It would create a more inviting entry to the house. I suggest bamboo because there will be spaces between stalks, allowing light to come through. I actually think it can be pretty cool. :)

Helpful Reply
- Winks74 on Sep 10, 2015
  @Nicole W. Yes it's the front door. We just moved in and are in the process of redoing trim/doors/walls. The door is going to be replaced with an actual exterior door. The one in place is an interior door....yikes!
  
  Helpful
Amy B on Sep 10, 2015
Firstly, let me offer my condolences. Not only is this thing dated and ugly, it is also in a very unfortunate location. That being said, if you are not able to remove it I would suggest painting it white to match your trim and doors (closet?) and then use it for what it's intended...plants! I found a photo online that sort of shows what I was envisioning. Good luck!

Helpful Reply
EdiLeck on Sep 10, 2015
That looks almost exactly like the one that was in my grandparents house! When they sold the house to my aunt and uncle, they cut out one side with a masonry saw and built shelves inside and put glass front doors on the front. It wasn't deep enough for books, my aunt used it as a curio cabinet. I always thought it would have been better to cut it in half (bench height) and put a wood top on it. Since it sat right inside the front door, I thought it would make a great bench to sit and take off/put on shoes!

Helpful Reply
- BEVERLY on Sep 10, 2015
  @EdiLeck I think this is the best idea! When adding the seat make it removal to store winter/summer shoes or whatever you need for a little extra storage! That's what I would do. I'd rather have it as functional as possible rather than decorative. I'm all about storage!
  
  Helpful
Sherry Fram on Sep 10, 2015
Put a pretty wood or stone top on it. Add a basket for mail, a pretty bowl for your keys and your have a built in entry table.

Helpful Reply
- See 2 previous
- Kim Adams on Sep 10, 2015
  @Sherry Fram that is what I was thinking too. Painting it may help too.
  
  Helpful
- Sherry Fram on Sep 10, 2015
  @Kim Adams I agree with the painting as well, maybe white paint on the brick with a dark top.
  
  Helpful
- Becky Greenwald on Sep 11, 2015
  I agree but I'd paint it the way color. Stone or wood top.
  
  Helpful
- Becky Greenwald on Sep 11, 2015
  I agree but I'd paint it the wall color. Stone or wood top.
  
  Helpful
- Becky Greenwald on Sep 11, 2015
  I agree but I'd paint it the wall color. Stone or wood top.
  
  Helpful
- Becky Greenwald on Sep 11, 2015
  I agree but I'd paint it the wall color. Stone or wood top.
  
  Helpful
- Becky Greenwald on Sep 11, 2015
  I agree but I'd paint it the wall color. Stone or wood top.
  
  Helpful
- Becky Greenwald on Sep 11, 2015
  I agree but I'd paint it the wall color. Stone or wood top.
  
  Helpful
Karen on Sep 10, 2015
I'd cover it in beadboard and trim, paint it white and then put a remnant piece of marble or granite on top. You could put a basket to drop off keys when entering the house.

Helpful Reply
Ann on Sep 10, 2015
I'd cover it with beadboard too. Make a nice top for it and perhaps even put bookshelves on the side away from the door.

Helpful Reply
Joan on Sep 10, 2015
Take a sledge hammer to it, just make sure you put something to catch the brick. I've seen them taken out, I bet you might like it. Good luck!

Helpful Reply
Jane R. on Sep 10, 2015
There was one of these in the house I sold. It was sort of a rom divider. I just filled it with newspaper, a layer of soil and a top layer of decorative gravel. I then stuck artificial plants in it.

Helpful Reply
Barbara Chase on Sep 10, 2015
Cover it with bead board and leave the top open, add dividers and use it for a convenient umbrella stand

Helpful Reply
Iberkeley on Sep 10, 2015
If you don't like the brick, cover it as suggested above. It seems to be near a window and gets plenty of light - I would fill it with styrofoam peanut and then dirt and put in beautiful plants of various heights or set in pots into the opening. You'll have a bit of a room divider plus some nice green plants all in one. Just don't use fake plants, I personally think they are awful.

Helpful Reply
Kaioverbeck on Sep 10, 2015
It would definitely be a planter, inside or out

Helpful Reply
Funnygirl on Sep 10, 2015
Why don't you cover it with a nice piece of wood and you have a shelf,I would paint the brick a lighter neutral color

Helpful Reply
Linda Fraser on Sep 10, 2015
You could paint it or you could also box it in with dry wall. Then plaster and paint it.Then attach a finished piece of wood on top to display something.

Helpful Reply
Brenda Haney on Sep 10, 2015
If it is just cemented to the floor, could you knock it down about 5-6 bricks and make it into a bench with an opening by the door for umbrellas? either leave the brick or put bead board around it

Helpful Reply
Carol on Sep 11, 2015
How about turning it into a pony wall & put baskets for keys & Mail on top?

Helpful Reply
Carol on Sep 11, 2015
Box it in & turn it into a pony wall with baskets or trays on top to hold keys or mail

Helpful Reply
Mary on Sep 11, 2015
What room is this "thing" in? What style is your house? Cover the stone with paint, aged tin or large time ceiling tiles, wood, mosaic. For the top: fish tank, granite (you can get small pieces from a granite yard) and make it a shelf for plants, items you need to leave by the door- keys, backpacks, etc, seasonal decorations. There is always the possibility of taking it down to floor leve and see what's actually there.

Helpful Reply
Anna L on Sep 11, 2015
You could add upright posts/spindles as a wall divider or narrow open shelving all the way to the ceiling as a wall divider and use it for display and keys etc. You could also box it in on the end of the spindles or shelves make a short wall say 24 inches and add hooks for coats.

Helpful Reply
Cindy Minnick on Sep 12, 2015
I would reface the brick with a different tile or stone, then put a cool piece of wood on top, maybe reclaimed or live edge. It could be a really great place for keys or mail. You could also continue sleeves that match the wood up a few feet, in an interesting formation.

Helpful Reply
Bev on Sep 15, 2015
I would place a top on the planter to hold candle sticks, a small potted plant and a dish of mints (we always have those at the entry). You should redo the brick to suit your personal taste and decor. Then, I'd hang, from the ceiling, a large, antique window. The window would provide a sense of privacy but also retain an open expanse, and the individual panes could become frames for pictures, left clear (or empty), colored to resemble stained glass,.... check out home talk, they have lots of old window ideas. Construction would NOT be involved, just a couple of ceiling hooks, and whatever top you choose could be easily attached and finished or painted.

Helpful Reply
Denra browman on Sep 15, 2015
I have 2 of the brick monstrosities in my house built in 1964. As shown in picture, a wooden top was built for both. Under the top are metal planters, I suppose. I have used mine in the past for a 50 gal aquarium. It fit perfect and looked nice and its supposed to bring good luck with money. Lots of Chinese restaurants have fish tanks by the check out register. I plan to paint the brick a dark brick red to blend with the front door and the floor tile. The tops will be painted black or stained black. I have my eye on some beautiful glassware art to display. So it would make a nice place to show off your favorite collectables. For holidays it is great for little Christmas village or fall pumpkins or Halloween skulls. I have thought about bookshelves on top of the brick to block cold air in the winter. Still thinking! Good Luck

Helpful Reply
Diane Fairbanks on Sep 19, 2015
I would demo the brick and build a bookcase the same size in its place. You could even put a couple of Craftsman-style columns on top of the bookshelf, to the ceiling. A friend has small columns like that in her entryway on top of a pony wall, and they look really great.

Helpful Reply
Marlene Lexie Springer on Sep 22, 2015
Sorry, I haven't a clue

Helpful Reply
KBM on Nov 14, 2015
It is built on the wood sub-floor and not cemented to the house slab or built into the wall. It was definitely added after the house was built. It would be easy to remove with a sledge hammer and masonry chisels. You could also rent a power chisel, which would make fast work of removing it. The hardest part will be patching the wood flooring, which was installed later. I personally would remove the brick box, cut out the wood flooring and install ceramic tile or stone in front of the door. Dirt, snow, and water are very damaging to wood flooring. 15-20 sf of tile or stone at the entrance will protect the rest of the wood flooring and not cost alot.

Helpful Reply
Lynn Couch on Nov 14, 2015
Paint the brick. Make a removable, stained wood top that comes down about 5 inches over the brick. Then store winter shoes inside.

Helpful Reply
Winks74 on Nov 14, 2015
Have decided to plank the sides with differently stained colors of wood and put a top on it and use it for keys and things.....thanks for all the suggestions!!

Helpful Reply
- Kar on Dec 22, 2015
  @Winks74 if that doesn't work... knock off one side and turn it into a bench with understorage
  
  Helpful
Judy on Oct 02, 2017

you could always put battery operated candle in the trench part after building it up. Lay glass over it or put photos under it.

Helpful Reply
Bobby Samuel on Oct 28, 2017

I would plant some pot plant in there that are not hard to grow .

Helpful Reply
Dfm on Nov 18, 2017

friends had a wall like that...was used as a planter at one time...now it’s a place fore thier fish.

Helpful Reply
Ann|The Apple Street Cottage on Mar 06, 2023

I would cover the whole thing with wood and then build shelves above it.

Helpful Reply
Mogie on Mar 06, 2023

If it is low enough right by the door would be a great place for people to sit down and take their shoes off.

Helpful Reply
Johnavallance82 on Feb 25, 2024

Make it into a Bar or a room divider using Bamboo? Artificial Plants. Coat Stand/Shoe Cupboard?

Helpful Reply
Janice on Feb 25, 2024
I haven't read through all the suggestions offered so if others have suggested this prior, please excuse. Two options in my mind.
1. Place some very nice faux bamboo or tall sticks in the planter to provide more privacy in the room.
2. Paint the brick the same color as your walls, add a piece of wood or quartz/granite to the top to cover and use as a "drop off spot" for keys/purses, etc.
Hope you'll post a picture of what you do.
Helpful Reply

Related Discussions

GNATS - How to get rid of them?

Gina Garbo Answered on Apr 11, 2024

Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more

122

See Answers

Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?

Dianne King Answered 10 hours ago

My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?

See Answers

Growing garlic

Decor&Dine Answered on Jan 01, 2024

Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.

See Answers

How to keep mice out of your garden?

Debra Answered on Sep 22, 2023

Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more

See Answers

What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?

Susan Answered on Apr 12, 2024

I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.

See Answers

How can I avoid spending a fortune on potting soil?

Debbie Chapman Answered on Feb 25, 2024

Due to back problems, I have switched to container gardening. Not only are big pots expensive, but so is the soil! I have been told I should switch out the soil each ... See more