Build charming DIY window box planters to enhance your home or garden shed! Easy tutorial using scrap wood and stencils.
Welcome summer! Nearly… once our weather cooperates that is.
However with this fine warmer season approaching, that means one main thing in these parts… it’s time to give the garden shed a fresh new look after a long rainy winter!
With a slightly different vision this round.
I’ve kinda let the backyard go where flowerbeds are concerned. You may remember THIS STORY where I removed all the flowerbeds because I just wasn’t keeping up. But I’d like to turn a new leaf… literally. Since I cut way back, my backyard started to resemble an abandoned lot, and that just wasn’t cutting it!
Even if my yard isn’t perfectly maintained, I’d love to add more flowers, fresh herbs, ferns, extra foliage in the corners, and even a new-old potting bench… which I’m currently working on.
So to help with that, my thought was to add flower-filled DIY window planters on the shed… for the first time ever!
I like to think that window planter boxes allow you to add flowers in areas that would normally be impossible. Works for me! However that meant it was time to figure out how to build some easy window box planters out of reclaimed wood of course.
So I gathered up a few boards, one thing led to 5 zillion others that took about 50 weeks, but hey… the end result led to a pretty cute looking garden shed this year! And I can’t wait to share it! So today’s the day!
If you’ve ever envisioned adding window box planters to your own shed or even your home, here’s an easy way to build some!
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DIY window box planters on a garden shed
Supplies you’ll need:
Heavy gauge greenhouse plastic
Stencils I used: Fresh Cut Flowers & Garden Shop
Fusion Mineral Paint’s Little Lamb (get 10% off Fusion HERE)
Cutting the wood
There are so many ways to build a basic crate or box. It doesn’t really matter the way you choose. The most important part is making it to the size desired. Measure the width of a window to use that as your length, then cut boards to suit.
Large window box size finished: 41″ long / 15″ deep / 6″ high
Small window box size finished: 23″ long / 13″ deep / 6″ high
Here’s my version…
1. Measure how long you’d like your window box.
2. Cut 4 planks that length. (2 for the bottom and 2 for front and back)
3. Then cut two planks for the left and right side to the depth desired.
I chose by depth by measuring the 2 bottom boards so they would fit and wouldn’t need ripping down.
Assembling the window box planter
4. Assemble the front and back to the sides with screws.
I like to pre-drill pilot holes, then screws to keep the wood from possibly splitting.
5. Slip in the bottom planks into place.
6. Flip the window box on its side, then attach the bottom to the sides with screws.
Adding bottom supports
7. Attach two small support boards underneath the box.
8. Cut two smaller boards with 45 degree angles on each end.
9. Attach one end of the angled boards to the support boards.
These boards will help support the crate when it’s on the shed, but they also add more rustic detail which I love!
Preparing for plants
10. Mount the crate by holding it against the shed, then attach with screws.
Drive a screw through the bottom supports as well.
11. Line the window boxes with heavy gauge plastic using an electric stapler.
12. Drill drainage holes into the bottom of the window boxes right through the plastic.
13. Cover drain holes with rocks or gravel, then add soil and plant flowers!
I picked a couple of soils that were rich in nutrients so hopefully the flowers thrive.
And here’s a dry fit of the flowers. Really super cute!
But that’s when I felt the window planters could be a little fancier… I had used a LOT of screws and didn’t like the look of them all showing like they did.
Adding decorative wood pieces
So I decided to cover the window boxes with additional lightweight boards on top. This is actually fire kindling but the pieces are so uniform and nice, I use them to build all sorts of things!
The planks were positioned, then screwed to the window boxes to give it a patch work design of sorts.
YES! I liked this very much! This extra trim work gave the window boxes more substance too. Isn’t the result adorable?
The extra planks also made the flower boxes look extra woodsy with all those added wood shades!
But, the only thing I didn’t care for is the fact that the newer wood shade didn’t blend well with the faded wood on the shed.
Here’s a few tricks that’ll fix that!
How to age wood with white-washing
Aging new wood in this case was very easy! I mixed Fusion Mineral Paint’s Little Lamb with water to create a paint wash.
How to create a paint wash
- Pour a little paint into a container.
- Add water, and mix.
- Do a test to determine if more water or paint is needed. You should be able to see the wood grain when you paint it on.
Shop Little Lamb grey paint HERE / View all paint choices HERE
The entire window box surface was brushed with paint…
… then wiped off with a rag before the paint dried.
The paint wash completely toned down the orange of the wood, leaving it nearly the identical tone to the shed wood, offering a more delicate look! Perfect.
So let’s add one more detail to really finish these window boxes off right…
Garden stencils for the window boxes
1. Position a stencil of choice onto the window box.
I used the Fresh Cut Flowers stencil.
2. Load the stencil brush with paint, then remove most onto a rag until the brush feels dry to avoid paint bleed.
3. Tap or swirl paint through the stencil until your image is covered.
I ensured my brush was extra dry so the letters would look faded. Perfect!
4. To further distress, wait for the paint to dry, then run over the signs with a variable speed orbital sander on a low speed or use a sanding sponge.
The larger box got stenciled with the Garden Shop stencil.
Garden was positioned to the left, Shop to the right, with some space for graphics in the middle. I love to come up with my own designs with existing stencils to make creations even more unique!
But two more things happened before it was reveal time…
Pressure washing and weeding
The entire shed got pressure washed, along with the removal, weeding, then replacement of the pallet porch.
Pretty neat how dark the shed gets when it’s wet, huh? It’s like a mood ring!
Creating a curved flower bed edge
Then the flower bed border wood was removed, and a natural curved shape cut instead. I’ve wanted to do this forever and now was the time!
How to cut a flowerbed edge
- Lay a piece of rope in the shape you desire.
- Using a half moon edger slightly on its side, cut into the soil, then keep cutting much like you are cutting a cake.
- Remove the turf, mound then fluff up the soil and you have yourself a pretty edge!
Video – how to edge flowerbeds like a pro
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View above to learn how to cut flower bed edges leaving you with perfect results every time!
Visit the full post – How to Edge Flowerbeds Like a Pro HERE
Ready to see the final results?!
The finished garden shed
Welcome to this year’s summer shed! I call it a woodland planter theme.
It’s super woodsy, and once those flowers take hold, will be super flowery too!
I actually tried some shutters, but ended up taking them down. You can see a past shutters version HERE though!
Let’s take a closer look.
The small window box planter
The smaller window box planter offers such a welcoming look to the front of the garden shed!
And as always, the grapevines always seem to add the perfect greenery framework.
Flowers planted
This window box was planted with Multibloom Capri Geraniums in a pretty bright salmon color along with a deep green English Ivy vine which should look very pretty together once filled in!
And a rusty vintage rake looks right at home planted in the middle!
On one side of the window box, Plants Bulbs Seeds from the Garden Shop stencil was stenciled to resemble a garden crate. It’s there without being blatant.
Love the quaint, rustic look!
Update: here’s the window box planter 1 month later! Wow!
Woodland shed decorating
To the left of the shed door, two wooden planters were hung on the side of the shed, along with a couple of logs I picked up for free from a store that was closing not long ago. Aren’t they perfect?!
Some branches from my honeysuckle bush was positioned into the larger crate to resemble parts of a bird nest. If I can find a vacant one, I’ll be sure to add it there!
The smaller crate became a great place to stash a few hand garden tools.
Let’s take a look at the side of the shed next!
The curvy flower bed gave the flowerbed much more presence. Exactly what I had hoped for!
Large window box planter
The larger window box turned out so cute, really taking advantage of the long shape to create a longer sign of sorts.
To blend in with the other planter box, Multibloom Capri Geraniums were once again planted but this time, alongside Golden Creeping Jenny to blend in with the grass plant below the box.
Doesn’t the paint washed wood blend in so perfectly with the shed wood?! The wood aging worked out so well!
I’ll be adding flower fertilizer every now and then to keep those blooms blooming into fooling you all that I may in fact have a real green thumb!
Update: Here’s the large window box planter 1 month later! Outstanding!
Decorating with moss plant baskets
To the right of the window box, a few moss hanging baskets and rusty metal rings were hung to decorate the shed. But also handy for planter storage too!
And what timing! The grass, fern and plant along with the grapevine on the roof have really come alive in the last week or so! It was like they knew I’d need it growing for this fun reveal.
Video – window box wood aging
Click above to watch a short video of the wood washing process!
And now my friends, it’s time to sit in that chair and pour myself something delicious! Because it’s summertime!
Right after it stops raining…
What do you think of the window box additions this year?
This shed has taken a lot of twists and turns over the years! Here’s a few stories you may remember…
Other shed and crate projects:
Visit garden junk projects HERE / See Potting Shed sign HERE
Building a pallet porch to a shed
Learn how to build other crates HERE
Build this scrap wood window box HERE
Very cute!! I’m putting up a shed in my backyard this fall. You’ve just given me some great ideas to make it look cozy and comfy while being useful.
Thanks!!!
I’m so envious of your garden shed. This turned out so cute. I’d be tempted to extend the back for storage if there was space behind it and use the front as a she shed.
Mood ring, lol!
Your shed, just get’s prettier and prettier!
You just can’t beat the charm of window boxes.
I love it Donna!
Another stunner with your shed! It is so inviting and rustic and every transpiration of it is always beautiful, quaint and lovely! I wish I had a shed to design. It’s a testament to your creativeness and I love that you use free finds and wood and stencils! Kudos to you! Thanks for always sharing your ideas and talents! Love the grapevine-it’s like hair on a human. It’s the cherry on top of the ice cream, lol.
You have another winner in my book Donna with your newest additions to your shed. I’ve enjoyed the changes it has taken over the years. I love to see your creativity at work with all your projects, and this one is a favorite!
Such a doable and cool wood planter. The supports underneath do give a real rustic addition. The whitewash treatment looks so easy and yet does what you want. I pinned this. Thanks also for posting your preferred tools. I’m going to be looking to replace some and it’s a helpful guide. A question. My drill bits seem to lose their sharpness and effectiveness quickly. Is that my lack of strength as it keeps going until it drives in the screw or some drills more powerful? Thanks Donna. Beautiful job and doable.
Hi Joanne! Thanks for the kudos! Regarding the drill, it can be the drill, battery life left or strength. If you hear the drill kinda grind and slow down, it may not be adjusted correctly for what you are doing (if using the kind where you have to twist to secure the bit), or the battery power is running low. But if all is running at top speed but the bits aren’t cutting, try using more force. Try higher quality bits if you really do feel they lose sharpness quickly. I use bits from a Makita drill bit set. And make sure they are for wood.
My favorite garden shed in all of the blog land keeps getting more and more adorable. I wondered how you managed to build planter boxes with little pieces of scraps. Very clever!
So adorable!! What a pretty vibe you have going on out on your shed!! Lovely pics!