Looking to add a touch of charm to your outdoor space? This easy DIY wood planter box is the perfect beginner-friendly project. With just three tools and some budget-friendly materials, you can build a beautiful planter that brings warmth and character to your porch or garden.
I've wanted to add some interest to my front porch stoop for a while, but I haven't been able to find the perfect planter for the space. It's a small area, so I needed a tall, narrow planter, which was hard to find. So, like anything else in my home when I can't find the perfect thing, I figured out how to make exactly what I wanted!
This DIY project is super simple and only requires 3 tools, which were the first tools I bought when I started DIYing. It would also be hard to mess up, since you could only make straight cuts (if you skip the x's on the sides). So if you're new to DIY projects, this one would be great!
Another thing I love about this project is that it's a great way to use up scrap boards. I have a rather large scrap wood pile, and while I bought the wood needed for these planters, I ended up using a lot of wood from my scrap pile and was able to return the unused boards to the store.
I used Ana White's planter box tutorial, but I tweaked it to fit my narrow space and added x's on the sides for a more farmhouse feel. I'll share the dimensions and board sizes I used, but if you want the original planter tutorial to adapt it to your space, check out Ana's.
As with any DIY project, read through the entire process before starting. Feel free to ask me questions in the comments, and I'll do my best to answer them!
Materials Needed for Your DIY Wood Planter Box
Note: These are the supplies needed to build one box. If you're building two boxes, just double everything, of course.
- 2 – 1 x 6 boards @ 8 feet long – for the side panels (I bought all premium pine boards, which are a little pricey. But I made up for it by using as many scrap pieces as I could and returning the uncut boards to the hardware store.)
- 1 – 2 x 2 board @ 8 feet long – for the planter "feet"
- 2 – 1 x 3 boards @ 8 feet long – for the top and bottom trim on each side panel
- 2 – 1 x 2 boards @ 8 feet long – for the "x" on the sides and the bottom & the floor
- 1 1/4 inch brad nails
- 2 inch wood screws
- 1 1/4 inch pocket hole screws
- Sandpaper
- Wood Glue
- Paint or stain of your choice & the tools to apply it (See how I finished my planters with a gray wash.)
- Outdoor water sealer
- Safety eyewear
- Faux evergreen tree
- Scrap Wood for the cleats
Tools Needed:
- Compound Miter Saw (I use this 12″ sliding saw, but my first miter saw was a more basic 10″ saw.)
- Kreg Jig
- Power drill (This is the one I use, and I've used it for years. Love it!)
- Measuring tape
- Brad nailer/finishing nailer (or hammer and brad nails)
- Hand Sander (or you can use sandpaper and sand by hand)
Cut List:
Note: I don't usually feel comfortable cutting all of the boards before I start a project, but these don't have to be exactly precise, so I cut the first three before I started. It made assembly go a lot quicker!
- Sides: Cut the 1 x 6 board into 8 pieces at 17 3/4 inches each.
- Legs: Cut the 2 x 2 board into 4 pieces at 23 1/4 inches each.
- Side trim: Cut the 1 x 3 boards into 16 pieces at 11 inches each.
- Cleats (for the bottom): Cut 2 pieces from your scrap boards down to about 8 inches long.
- Bottom: When you get to step 9, cut wood pieces from 1 x 2s (or scraps) @ 11 inches long, or cut plywood to fit inside the planter to make a bottom piece. (You'll see my plywood in the photos below.)
- Once assembled, cut the 1 x 2 boards to your planter's side panel angles to make the x's. I used 15º and 36º angles on my miter saw to cut my "x" boards.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Wood Planter
1. Cut all boards from the first four bullets on the list above.
Use the first board you cut as a template for all of the other boards.
2. Create the First Side Panel
Take two of the 1 x 6 boards at 17 3/4 inches each and lay them side by side.
Then use a nail gun or brad nailer to nail two of the 1 x 3s (11 inches each) to the top and bottom of the boards, flush with the top and bottom edges. The side with the 1 x 3 board is the "front" of the first side panel.
I doubled up the 1 x 3 pieces, as you'll see in the photos below, so that the depth would match the depth of the corner pieces.
3. Secure the 1 x 3s from the Back Side of the Panel
If you want the panels to be extra secure, flip them over to the back and drive a screw through the 1 x 6 into the 1 x 3, but be careful not to break through the other side! I used 1 1/4 inch wood screws.
4. Drill Holes for Attaching the Panel to the Legs
Use the Kreg Jig to make 2 pocket screw holes in the back side of each panel, underneath where the 1 x 3s are located.
Note: Make sure to adjust the Kreg Jig and the Kreg Jig screw tool to the depth of your board, which in this case is 3/4 inch.
5. Repeat Steps 2-4 to Create 3 More Panels.
6. Attach One Panel to Two Legs x 2
Measure 4 inches up the side of the 2×2 legs, then attach a panel to two of the feet with the 1 1/4 inch pocket hole screws.
I measured up 4 inches from the bottom of the legs to place the side panel.
Repeat with a second panel and two more 2×2 feet pieces.
6. Attach a Cleat to the Panels Attached to the Legs
Add the 8-inch cleats to the inside of the panels attached to the legs. I measured 7 1/2 inches down from the top to place my cleats, because that's how tall the plant I'm using is. But make sure your plants will fit in yours, and adjust for what you're doing.
Measuring 7.5 inches from the top, screw one cleat to the inside of the panel. Repeat with another panel.
8. Attach the Remaining Two Panels to the Wooden Planter Box
Attach the two remaining side panels to the legs using wood glue, pocket hole screws and the panels you just created.
9. Make the "Floor" of the Planter
Either cut 1 x 2 boards to fit inside the planter, or make the floor from scrap pieces of wood.
I cut a scrap piece of plywood to fit mine, but you could also use several pieces of wood cut to 11 inches and lay them across the cleats. (See Ana's plans to see how she did it that way.)
Place the "floor" onto the cleats inside the planter.
10. Add X's to the Sides, optional
If you like, you can add the optional "x" on each side using the 1 x 2 boards, a brad nailer and wood glue. I recommend checking the angles of your box and cutting accordingly, since they will probably differ from mine.
11. Finish the Planters with Stain, Paint and/or Sealer
Finally, paint or stain the DIY wooden planters (or leave them natural), then seal them with an outdoor water sealer to keep them from rotting or growing mold & mildew. I think I'll leave mine natural and just seal them with something like this.
In the end I put a gray wash on the planters, and I love how they turned out!
Then you're done! It's a simple, basic DIY project that anyone with any skill level can do.
Oh, and about that plant… It's a totally fake evergreen tree. If you look closely, it will be obvious, but I think it looks great on my front stoop.
I'm just thankful I don't have to water it or worry about it dying! I did use real potting soil in the planter, so it has a little bit of a real effect.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Wood Planters
Q: What type of wood is best for a DIY wood planter?
A: Cedar and redwood are excellent choices because of their natural resistance to rot and insects. If you use treated lumber, make sure it is safe for plants.
Q: Do I need to seal my DIY wood planter?
A: Sealing your planter can extend its life, especially if it's exposed to the elements. Use a non-toxic sealant if you plan to grow edible plants.
Have you built your own DIY wood planter? Share your experience in the comments below!
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