A wood planter box is a statement piece that can add depth and character to your landscape. I love the look of big stately planters but they are typically expensive. Today I’m sharing this 2 hour DIY wood planter box in an effort to show you how to create a rich looking landscape at a fraction of the price.
This project is part of a monthly challenge I participate in with some very talented bloggers. You can find all our past projects here. Scroll down to see this month’s 2 hour DIY projects at the end of this post.
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For this project I wanted something to fill a bare spot in my front yard. This spot is next to large hydrangeas and lilies so it couldn’t be a small pot of annuals. I need something large and stately.
I also wanted a box that I could easily pop potted plants into. This way I am not filling this huge box with dirt. I can just slide a pre-potted arrangement into the box.
Scroll down for a step by step tutorial on how to make this planter box. Here are a few tips before you start this project.
Wood Planter Box Tips
- Use pine common board to keep costs down.
- Decide what size box you need, is it a square or rectangle, and adjust the cuts accordingly.
- Paint/stain and seal the box correctly so it will hold up to all outdoor conditions.
For this planter box project you don’t need any fancy tools. You’ll need a saw and power drill. I used a miter saw to cut my boards but a hand saw will work just fine.
Let’s jump into this project and I’ll show you how easy it is to make a planter.

Wood Planter Box
Make a stately wood planter box to add character to your landscape.
Materials
Instructions
- Start by cutting the boards to the the sizes specified above. Sand down any rough edges before moving on.
- Assemble 3 2x2 boards into a U shape and secure with screws.
Repeat this process to make a second U shape.
- To make a side of the planter, lay 4 1x4 boards on top of 1 U shape and secure with screws.
Repeat this for the other U shape. This creates 2 sides of the wood planter box.
- Join the 2 sides together with 1x4 boards and screws.
You can use a square here to ensure your box is square and will sit evenly on the ground.
- Once the box is assembled, paint or stain it in the color of your choice. I like this spray paint.
- After the paint has dried fully, seal the planter with a clear sealer to protect the wood and paint.
This 2 hour DIY wood planter box is easy to make and costs less to make than buy. You can build one of these boxes over the weekend and have a new eye catching planter in your yard in no time.
If you like this project, pin and save it!

Now take a look at these other inspiring 2 hour DIY projects.
Thanks for visiting!

Christine
Saturday 27th of July 2019
Love how simple this planter is to make and it looks great! Love the color too!
Toni | Girl, Just DIY!
Tuesday 23rd of July 2019
Thanks for the tips because I need a few new planter boxes for our porch. I love the color you chose to paint yours!
Carmen
Wednesday 17th of July 2019
This looks great! I love it! And love the cost even more ;)
Cindy
Wednesday 17th of July 2019
I love this look, and how affordable it is!
Amy
Tuesday 16th of July 2019
Such a cute planter box and so easy to put together!