I have been upcycling and repurposing objects since before it was cool. What was once an economic necessity growing up has become a passion in decorating my own home. Using vintage and industrial pieces outdoors as a flower planter is a great way to add some personality and character to your curb appeal.
Since I am married to a landscaper I leave most of the outdoor work to my dear hubby John. That means a lush green lawn and well trimmed bushes. You also want to make sure the outside of your home is just as warm and welcoming as the inside. For our family, that means breaking up the formal look of a well manicured landscape with some out of the box personal character. I look at this walk area in front of our home like a table or shelf in need of a beautiful tablescape. So I started were I always start when decorating inside, with layering.
Unique Flower Planter Ideas:
I found this old wheelbarrow at a garage sale. I like that it is all metal and has low profile for a wheelbarrow. Notice I placed a taller traditional planter behind it, the stump we will get to in a minute.
Start your layering with the largest planter you have. In my case that is the wheelbarrow. If what you use for a planter is sealed up you will want to drill some holes in the bottom for drainage. That is what I did with this vintage wheelbarrow.
Look how amazing it looks after a couple months of TLC! We watered daily and fertilized weekly.
Next, we added these flower planters straight from nature! We have a wooded area around our home so finding tree limbs and stumps was just a matter of taking a walk around the property. Look for rotted out pieces in unique shapes. Saw as needed!
We placed these stumps around the wheelbarrow and added some potting soil.
Look how beautifully this petunia filled in after a few weeks growth! Cascading vines are perfect for these logs.
We chose larger petunias for this stump. Use logs with different heights to continue that layered look.
We also used some traditional planters we already had and some other metal industrial pieces to the area to finish the look. A repurposed metal chair planter is the perfect addition to this look.
Cutting the logs straight across can give the logs a more formal look. These we scattered around to tie everything together.
Flower Planter Succulent Ideas:
Succulents have become so popular in recent years that flower garden nurseries carry a large selection of all different shapes, sizes and colors. Succulents are the perfect plants for busy families. They require very little care and that makes them one of the only indoor plants I can seem to keep alive. Yes, I am the plant owner who forgets to water for weeks at a time. Here are some out of the box succulent planter ideas that can also be used as flower planters. Just be sure there is adequate drainage provided.
Gather some unique items that can be repurposed into planters. Some of my favorite are old suitcases and tool boxes. I watch for them through out the year and when I find vintage items that are a little rough I turn them into flower planters! How cute would a DIY Fairy Garden look in a vintage suitcase!
Starts with a few large plants and then fill in with smaller ones. Buy succulents that vary in shape, height and color.
Once again it’s all about layering. I started with the succulent plants and then began to build. I added things I had laying around. This included a few stones, a grapevine ball, pinecone, metal fleur de lis and the inside face of an old clock. Adding extra items has an extra bonus, they can be changed out as the succulents grow.
I layered the suitcase on top of another suitcase for our fireplace mantle. How stinking cute is that!
Look at all the different varieties I was able to find! So put on your thinking cap and head to the garage or basement and look for a unique flower planter that you can fall in love with!
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!
Looking for more outdoor diy ideas? Check out these:
- How to Make the Easiest Cedar Window Boxes
- 10 Easy and Unique DIY Projects to Make this Summer
- Easy Outdoor Decor: How to Make a Lantern from Scrap Wood