DIY Outdoor Planters
We recently had our patio redone and expanded, so I wanted to give our patio décor a refresh as well! Our outdoor planters were all different colors and most of them were showing the wear and tear of being exposed to the elements for years. Brand new planters, especially larger options, can be really expensive, so I didn't want to buy new because we just made a significant investment in the patio itself. I have been seeing some beautiful trends this season for outdoor planters so my goal was to recreate a few of those using my existing planters and a very small budget. You can be the final judge, but I think I succeeded!
All 3 of these planters were inspired by high end styles with hefty price tags. I love that my total cost for all 3 planters didn't even come close to just ONE of the high end options! These tutorials can be used for indoor AND outdoor planters because I selected durable materials that would withstand the elements. I also used very basic plastic pots, so if you don't already have some planters that could use a little refresh, you won't need to spend much on pots! Here's how I made them:
Woven Planter
I LOVE the look of the brightly colored hyacinth woven around this Anthropologie planter! I wanted to recreate this with a more durable material - paracord - to ensure it will hold up for years to come.
Paracord is a type of rope made from synthetic fibers. It is meant to be used for outdoor activities and is made to last. I chose a thin version of this cord for weaving, and I love that this particular brand offers 3-packs of different color varieties. This saved me some money versus choosing 3 separate spools! I used about half of my paracord for this large planter, so depending upon the size of your pot, you can easily make more than one planter!
This tutorial has a lot of steps, but do not be intimidated! I'm going to walk you through everything and I promise you can do it!
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Materials
plastic planter in your choice of size. Mine is a 15 inch pot I've had for years. If you don't already have the plastic pot, this is the style I recommend for all 3 tutorials. They are the best priced that I found and this is the actual pot I use in my wire plant stand tutorial below. It comes in lots of different sizes to best suit your needs!
spray paint in your choice of color. I used this
paracord - here are a few other tri-pack color combinations, or you can pick and choose your own spools.
cordless drill fitted with a 7/32 drill bit
soft measuring tape or string
marker/pencil
speed square - not essential, but super helpful!
scissors
lighter
How to Make it
Before painting your pot, you want to make the holes for weaving. Using a fabric measuring tape or string, measure the circumference of your pot. I chose to make my holes 2 inches apart, so I marked every 2 inches around my pot with a sharpie. Because my pot is 47 inches in circumference, 3 of my holes are only 1 inch apart. I used this to my advantage for how I finished the weaving process, but if all of your holes are exactly the same distance apart that's great too!
Once your dots are marked, you want to make sure that they are all the same distance from the top of your pot. You can do this by measuring for each hole OR, my brilliant husband used a speed square to draw a ring around the entire pot ensuring every hole would be at the same level. See the picture for how to hold your square. He held the square and pencil in place and I turned the pot, so we drew one level line around the entire pot. My holes are 1.5 inches from the top of the pot.
Using a cordless drill and drill bit, drill through the pot at each hole. You want your drill bit to be slightly larger than the thickness of your cord. For the cord I used, I used a 7/32 drill bit.
Once all your holes are drilled, paint your pot making sure to apply thin even layers to prevent running. I always start out with my pot face down to ensure I hit every angle and then the top edge of my pot never touches the work surface once I paint it during the second coat!
Allow your planter to dry according to the instructions on the paint can.
Now it's time for the fun part! Thread your first cord color (mine is black) FROM THE INSIDE through a hole. NOTE - if you have a few unevenly distanced holes like mine, start with those holes. I'll show you why in a bit. Pull your cord the whole way through the hole except for the last 6 inches.
Continue threading your cord through the holes by always threading from the inside out. The cord will layer over the top edge of your pot each time.
When you have woven the cord through every hole except for the last one, you will insert the cord from the OUTSIDE to the inside so that both ends are inside the pot.
You'll have a "horizontal line" of cord on the outside of the pot. Because a few of my holes were closer together, I started and ended at this spot. You can't really tell the holes are unevenly spaced! Trim off any extra cord and tie a tight knot inside the pot. (this will be hidden once filled with dirt)
Take another color, (orange) and starting to the right of the "cord line" begin weaving over and under the first color (black). You want 6 inches of excess at the beginning and end of each woven cord.
Alternate with your 3rd cord color (rose) and this time, change the direction of weaving. If the first cord went under, this color will go over. This is also known as a basic basket weave.
I wove 3 orange and 3 rose cords through. When you are finished weaving, take all of your ends and feed them up through that "cord line" on the outside of the pot. (see above picture)
Tightly zip tie them all together so that they resemble a pony tail. Trim all of the cords to the same desired length.
Using a lighter, burn each end so that the cords melt to prevent fraying. Also melt the edges of the inside knot from your first color!
My woven design is a little different than the Anthro pot, but it requires drilling less holes. And I love it just as much! I also love the little tassel detail on my pot! For this project, I used a pot I already owned, so my total cost was $16 for the can of spray paint and half of the package of paracord, which I can use for a second planter. The inspiration pot costs $44 so I spent less than half on my DIY!
Wire Planter Stand
This one is definitely the most significant price difference! I found this cute planter at Anthropolgie as well, but it's $98!!! I knew I could duplicate this easily with 3 simple materials - a pot, a can of spray paint, and a tomato cage! This adorable planter has been sitting happily on my patio for a few weeks now and has survived multiple high wind storms without even thinking about tipping over, so I know it's sturdy!
Materials
4-prong tomato cage - a 3 prong will work because I tried it - but it wobbles a bit on windy days.
a 12 inch pot - This is the only pot I had to purchase for these tutorials because none of my own fit perfectly into the cage.
Can of spray paint in your choice of color. I used this. I LOVE the blush color of my inspiration pot, but my Home Depot didn't have that in stock.
How to Make it
Turn your tomato cage upside down so the prongs are facing upward. Cut off the prongs and smallest ring of the cage. (if you use a 3 prong cage you won't cut off the top ring)
You can do this two ways: With an angle grinder or, using pliers, bend the metal back and forth until it breaks. Using the grinder is much faster, but I know that not everyone has this tool. NOTE: when using an angle grinder, appropriate protective gear should be worn including gloves, protective eye wear, and SHOES!!!
Additionally, remove the second biggest ring so you are left with 2 rings total like in the image below.
Spray paint your pot and cage and let dry according to the paint can instructions.
Then simply place your planter into the smaller ring of the cage and you're done!
My inspiration planter was $98. My total cost for this DIY planter was $10!!! The total would be $15 if you do not already have a tomato cage to repurpose. These would make great planters to flank a front door!
Bubble Planter
I have seen these bubble planters everywhere! They remind me of hobnail milk glass but with chunkier bubbles. I used 2 different pots as inspiration. This one from CB2 and this one from Anthro. My "bubbles" are made out of the flat glass marbles you use for vase filler. Using a silicone based adhesive allows this planter to be used outdoors. And to get a textured stone look, I didn't have to purchase an extra can of spray paint - I used sand from our sandbox! You can put your beads close together and staggered like the CB2 version or in wobbly rows like mine. Either way looks great! And so does the cost for this project.
Materials
Any smooth surface pot will work for this one - it doesn't have to be plastic! I actually used a sturdy grow pot that one of my perennial shrubs came in last year!
flat glass marbles - the cheapest place to get these is the Dollar Tree, but any craft store sells them as well as amazon (if you don't want to run to the store)
flat spray paint I used this
dirt, sand, or stone spray paint
How to Make it
Make sure the outer surface of your pot is clean and dry. Apply a small amount of adhesive to each bead and arrange as desired on your pot. I had to apply beads in small batches to allow the adhesive to begin to harden (about 5 minutes) to prevent my beads from sliding.
When all of your beads are glued to your pot, let it dry according to the directions on the adhesive tube. Mine only took 2 hours to cure.
Paint the entire pot, making sure to begin with the pot upside down for an even application all over. While the first coat of paint is still wet, throw small handfuls of sand or dirt at your pot ensuring even coverage all over. When you are satisfied with the amount of texture on your pot, continue with another coat of flat spray paint. OR alternatively, simply spray your pot with a stone finish spray paint.
The CB2 planters range from $49.95 - $84.95 and the Anthropologie planters range from $42 - $98! The total cost of my DIY version, if I had to buy all of the materials, would be $15 for an 8 inch size planter! I plan to make a second bubble planter and place the marbles closer together like the CB2 pot. I'll share it on instagram!
I hope you find some inspiration here! And I hope you make some of my DIY planters! Make sure to tag me #therurallegend or on Instagram @therurallegend so I can see what you create! As always, if you have any questions or ideas for a new DIY leave a comment and let me know! And don't forget to subscribe at the bottom of the page so you never miss an opportunity to be inspired!
xoxo, L
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