This time of the year makes me so happy. The warm weather; the smell of fresh cut grass and tulips blooming all signal that summer is coming.  I can’t wait to start decorating outside and this large outdoor planter is going to be the perfect addition to our lake house fixer upper.

I knew I wanted 2 stately planters…one for either side of the front door.  Have you priced planters? I couldn’t find any I liked for less that $70.00/piece

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

The new house is a Craftsman style so I wanted my DIY planters to have the same feel…simple with clean lines.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

I saw a tutorial on Pinterest for planters made with wooden bi-fold doors and loved the look but I wasn’t sure how they would hold up outside.  I decided to go to my local ReStore Habitat for Humanity to look for some inspiration and I found these exterior vinyl shutters.  They’re weather resistant, tall enough to cut in half, and simple with clean lines…They’re perfect.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

I chose the Colonial Raised panel design in Musket Brown.  If you can’t find 2 sets in the perfect color, just paint them with spray paint suitable for outdoors and made to adhere to vinyl or plastic.

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Supplies needed for Shutter Planter:

  • 2 sets of shutters 60-72″ tall.  Make sure the shutters are symmetrical on the top & bottom.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Shutter Planter Instructions:

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Step 1)  Using your tape measure, mark the center of your shutter.  My shutters are 72″ so my center point is 36″

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Step 2)  Using your mitre saw, cut your vinyl shutter at your center point.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Step 3)  Once you have your 2 shutters cut in half, make sure your 4 pieces line up to make a box.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Step 4)  Using your drill and bit, drill a hole at each intersection.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Drill all the way through both pieces.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Step 5)  I attached the sections with the matching vinyl spikes that came with the shutters.  You can use screws instead.
Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

This is what the spikes look like once their in place.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Step 6)  Finish attaching all 4 sides to create a box.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Here is your planter before the corner brackets and shelf.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Step 7)  Attach your corner brackets using the Black Cap Screw with Hex Nut (This set is perfect for a dark color) Tighten.

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

Step 8)  Add shelf.  I used a salvaged cabinet door but you can use any wood you have on hand.

 

Wanting big planters that make a statement but do not want to pay up to $100 a piece for them? Then I have the perfect DIY planter boxes for you!

So what so you think? I am super excited to use these at the Lake House this summer. They will look amazing as long as I keep the plants alive. True confession, I struggle sometimes at making sure my planters get watered as often as they should. Hey, a girl gets busy! Don’t forget to follow our Lake House Fixer Upper Series to see where these beauties will live!

Each and everyone of you inspire me and I LOVE to see the work that you’ve created. Feel free to share with me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. And as always, be sure to follow Diva Of DIY on Pinterest and sign up for our FREE Newsletter to receive the latest projects delivered straight to your inbox!

Check out the other DIY projects I have done for the Lake House:

Rustic Lantern: Easy and Affordable with 2x4s
2×4 Rustic Lantern
I love furniture vanities but they can be expensive so when i was asked to submit an IKEA rast dresser hack idea I thought why not make a furniture vanity!
Build an Easy Furniture Vanity in a Day