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How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial}

October 23, 2013 By Erin Spain 14 Comments

How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial via DIYontheCheap.com}

I promised last week that I would show you how I built my DIY Chevron Planter, so here it is: A tutorial for how to build a wood planter! I know it seems like an odd time of year to be building a planter, but I really wanted something to display my fall mums in on our front porch. If you’d rather save this project for spring, feel free to pin it for later!

How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial via DIYontheCheap.com}

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 – 2×12 at 8 ft. long
  • 1 – 2×4 ( Just a scrap – about 16 inches total in length)
  • 2 – 1×2 at 8 ft. long
  • Sliding Compound Miter Saw
  • Cordless Brad Nailer
  • 2-inch Finish Nails
  • Wood Glue
  • Drill
  • Sander
  • Paintable Caulk or Wood Filler (if you’re imperfect like me)

I of course used my beloved RYOBI tools for this project. (RYOBI Sliding Compound Miter Saw, RYOBI Cordless Brad Nailer, RYOBI Cordless Drill and RYOBI sander.) They’re my fave.

The only thing I purchased for this project was the 2×12 for about $15.00 at Home Depot. Everything else I had on hand, including wood scraps used for the trim and feet, and the paint. You can modify the size of the planter or type of trim you add depending on what you have on-hand, if you do happen to have scraps lying around.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t really have a concrete plan going into this build. I knew the relative size I wanted it to be, and the general look I was going for, but didn’t design it before-hand or anything. I just sort of pieced it together and I was lucky that it turned out ok in the end! Luckily this build is very basic and great for beginners, especially if you’re looking for ways to try out a compound miter saw. Normally, I have “plans” in front of me, and for most projects that’s definitely the way to go. But the good news is, now I’ve written out the build plans and I’m sharing them with you!

Cut List:

4 – 2×12 at 18″ long (for the sides)

1 – 2×12 at 14 1/2″ long (cut to fit – this will be the bottom)

4 – 1×2 at 13″ long (at longest points) Cut to fit with beveled ends at 45 degrees, not parallel

4 – 1×2 at 15 3/4″ long (at longest points) – Cut to fit with beveled ends at 45 degrees, not parallel

2 – 1×2 at 16″ long (at longest points) – Cut to fit with mitered ends at 45 degrees, not parallel

2 – 1×2 at 13″ long (at longest points)  – Cut to fit with mitered ends at 45 degrees, not parallel

4 – 2×4 at 4″ long (for the feet)

Miter Saw Tip (plus Wood Planter Tutorial) via DIYontheCheap.com

Assembly:

Now it’s time to piece it all together like a puzzle! This is the easy part. You will assemble, glue, and nail it all together with your brad nailer using 2 inch finish nails. The final dimensions are approximately 22″H x 11 1/4″W x 14 1/2″ L.

First, put your sides together, forming a rectangle shape.

How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial via DIYontheCheap.com}

Your “side” pieces will be glued and nailed to your front and back pieces.

How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial via DIYontheCheap.com}

Then place your “bottom” piece on top and nail it on. I attached my feet last, but you can do it at this point if you’d prefer. Then, flip the whole thing over.

How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial via DIYontheCheap.com}

Attach your trim next, adding the bottom and top perimeter pieces first, and then the top pieces with the mitered ends to create the “lip”.

How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial via DIYontheCheap.com}

At this point, I flipped the whole thing back over to add the “feet.” I lined the corners of the feet up with the corners of the bottom piece, not the trim. I wanted them to be set back farther than the trim rather than have them come all the way to the edge.

How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial via DIYontheCheap.com}

Ideally you will have superb carpentry skills, but since I don’t, I just caulked the gaps. Important: Use paintable caulk! I used Dap brand paintable caulk in white. (Or you could use wood filler.)

Be sure to drill several holes in the bottom to allow for drainage.

Now it’s time to paint or stain. You can find a full tutorial for how I did the chevron paint treatment here.

How to Build a Wood Planter {Tutorial via DIYontheCheap.com}

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave those in the comments section!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

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Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

Filed Under: DIY, Home & DIY Blog, Outdoor, Tutorials, Woodworking

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Comments

  1. Julie says

    October 23, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    Did you make any drainage holes to let water out?

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 23, 2013 at 1:17 pm

      Hi Julie! Yes, this is what you will need the drill for. I drilled several holes in the bottom!

      Reply
  2. Jenny says

    October 24, 2013 at 12:23 am

    Erin, it is so great you posted this! I have been thinking about building wood planters for the front of our house but just haven’t had the time, love this idea! Hopefully I can take this project on soon. great job! 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 24, 2013 at 1:31 am

      Thanks Jenny! It definitely saves a lot of money to build them yourself! And they aren’t very difficult to build. Go for it!

      Reply
  3. Erica @ Spoonful of Imagination says

    October 29, 2013 at 12:56 am

    you’ve got skills girl! I love it!! XO, Erica

    Reply
  4. Robin~All Things Heart and Home says

    October 30, 2013 at 10:00 am

    Love it Erin! and your tutorial is flawless, thanks for showing us! ox

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 30, 2013 at 4:24 pm

      Thank you Robin! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Melanie @ The Painted Chandelier says

    November 1, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    I usually leave this type of thing to my husband because he loves woodworking, but your tutorial is so good, maybe I’ll challenge myself?! The black and white chevron will look great year round!

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      November 1, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      Thank you Melanie! It really is easy – maybe you could borrow your husband’s tools! Go for it!

      Reply
  6. Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says

    November 2, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    You make it look so simple! I’d love to have a whitewashed one with tongue and groove side panels – great for summer. Did you fill the planter up with dirt, or did you stuff a bunch of water bottles in the bottom to save materials?

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      November 3, 2013 at 8:53 pm

      Hey Lindsey! A whitewashed one would be really pretty. I had actually planned on filling most of it up with dirt with maybe some rocks for extra drainage in the bottom, but it turned out that the planter my mums came in actually fit inside perfectly, so I just left it! Ha. Saved me some dirt and effort.

      Reply
  7. Al says

    December 22, 2014 at 11:24 pm

    Love this. it is perfect for what i need next to my front door. thanks for sharing.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Chevron Planter - DIY on the Cheap says:
    October 23, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    […] it! I decided to build and paint a planter for our front porch. (Tutorial for the actual build here.) Today I’m talking all about the paint treatment and how I achieved this look. You […]

    Reply
  2. Year In-Review + Favorite Posts of 2013 - DIY on the Cheap says:
    December 29, 2013 at 2:52 am

    […] built a wood planter, painted it with Chevron stripes, made silhouette portrait art, and shared some fall decorating […]

    Reply

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