How To Build a Wood Planter Box

Thistlewood
by Thistlewood
5 Materials
$30
5 Hours
Medium

Ever seen those high-end planter boxes that look super high end? Have you priced them? They LITERALLY cost a fortune---easily over $100.

No worries.

Why buy one when you can make your own?

Here's a simple tutorial to make your own for a fraction of the price.

Here are the wood planters that we built for the front of the house. All you need to get started is plywood and simple pine trim.

Step 1: Nail sides

Start by nailing two of the pieces of 1/2″ plywood cut to 16″ x 22″ together.

Line up the two of the pieces together at a right angle and nail together.

Repeat with each of the plywood pieces until you have a box.

2. Nail bottom

Attach the bottom piece of 1/2″ plywood cut to 16 1/2″ x 16″ 1/2″to your nailed-together four sides.

The edge of the bottom of the planter should line up with the sides of the planter.

Nail bottom piece to the box.

3. Sand any rough edges

Sand off any of the rough edges and you are ready for the trim.

4. Add trim

Attach 2 pieces of 1″ x 3″ x 17″ pine to the top of the box.

Line them up at a right angle, level with the top of the box and nail in place.

Repeat with the other pieces of pine until you have trim on all four sides of the box.

Quick tip: Sometimes your molding pieces may not match exactly.

They might look like this.

No worries.

That’s what caulk and paint are for.


5. Add bottom trim

Repeat the same steps with the bottom molding pieces of 1″ x 3″ x 17″ pine.

Nail them level with the bottom of the planter.

Attach each piece at a right angle.

5. Prep the planter for painting

Sand off any rough edges.

Caulk the gaps.

Now the planter is ready to prime and paint.

6. Paint

Here's the finished planter that we painted white.

We also added raised monogram letters as well as curtain finials for feet. You can see how we added the letters here.

I’m so happy with how the planters turned out.

The main cost for the planters was the wood. I already had the paint and primer.

Total receipt from the home improvement store?

$29.77

So much better than a $100.00.

And way cuter, too.

If you want to see the rest of the front porch and how we painted the brick? Check out this post here.

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3 of 9 questions
  • Daisy Resto Daisy Resto on Nov 18, 2019

    What did you use for the detail legs?

  • Tina Tina on Feb 22, 2020

    Why isn’t anyone answering these questions!? I’m also curious to know the answer to a few of these!

  • Eileen Morris Eileen Morris on Feb 23, 2020

    Going to try the Planters. Love the storm door too. Where did you get that?

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