Create a true gardenscape by moving your plants beyond the pot. Create your own planter boxes with these free online designs. I searched the internet to try and find a planter box to match just about any urban homestead and found some really great projects.
Planter Box Plans for All Kinds of Homesteads
Carpentry projects range in skill, size, and budget. Start with a simple design like a cedar box, then move on up in projects to tiered planters or raised bed patio boxes. Try a hexagon planter for a differently-shaped space or create a hanging planter perfect for orchids or pansies. Design a vegetable box from food-safe materials or upcycle some old pallets to design a patio herb planter.
Your planter creation is limited only by your imagination, but these handy plans are a great place to start. Choose from one of these favorite planter box plan themes.
Tiered Planter Plans
Tiered planter boxes allow garden collections of different herbs, leafy greens, or flowers. Add these to your small space patio or create some height on a deck.
Planter Box Ladder
This tall ladder design is a great space saver. Home Depot also provides a detailed cut and product list to make project prep easier.
Learn more at Home Depot
Corner Planter Box Plan
Check out the 3D view of this downloadable planter plan. The three-tier design fits in easily on a deck or house corner.
Watch the tutorial at Sketch Up 3D Warehouse
Stackable Planter Plans
Each planter is quite simple, which is why you’ll want to make lots of them. The small legs at the bottom of each planter work a little like Legos to let you stack as you wish for a customized, tiered look.
Watch the tutorial at Home Depot’s Home Made Modern
Fence & Rail Planters
Fence and rail planters can adapt to any deck, patio, or porch. Easy to attach, these planters also help save space for tables and patio chairs.
Deck Planter Plan
This deck planter is almost a railing in itself. Custom made by the owner, this project features pine and other existing wood from around her house.
Learn more from Georgia Pellegrini
Cedar Railing Planter Box Plan
I find it especially interesting that these planters sit on top of your deck or porch railing, instead of hanging along the side.
Learn more at Canadian Home Workshop
Fence Planter Plan
Add a little interest to your standard picket fence with this decorative fence planter. Once you’ve crafted your first, try adding a few more for a lush garden look along your border.
Leran more at Better Homes and Gardens
Decorative Deck Railing Planter Plan
Create a railing out of cedar with a personal touch. These plans finish the look with some paint and an engraved design using a Dremel tool.
Related Post: 11 Fun DIY Dremel Projects to Try This Weekend
Learn more from Dremel Weekends
Window Planter Box Plan
I love the wave pattern of this wooden window box. It’s a nice change straight lines and right angles.
Learn more from Rod’s Woodworking Shop
Simple Planter Box Plans
Simple planter designs are great for carpentry beginners, and usually very budget friendly too. Get started with these basic designs.
Cedar Garden Planter Box
Cedar is a favorite for garden planters. This simple planter is great for decks or flower boxes. Stan Sullivan offers a YouTube version of garden plans for those who prefer visual instructions.
https://youtu.be/ym1-r8mBviI
Basic Wooden Planter Box
WikiHow offers this great starter project with detailed instructions. If you are just venturing into carpentry projects, this would be a great place to start.
Learn more at WikiHow
Shaped Planter Plans
When a simple square won’t do, check out these differently-shaped planter box designs.
Octagon Standing Planter Plan
While a little short of pictures, I really liked the plans for this one. The octagon-shaped planter is made from ChoiceDek balusters. These balusters are an eco-friendly recycled composite material, similar to glue and sawdust, that cut and fasten like wood. As a bonus, the material is also more resistant to water damage than standard wood. Just remember to get the recommended fasteners, as standard nails can cause a myriad of problems with this material.
Learn more at Lowe’s
Hexagon Planter Plan
Circular saws don’t really cut circles. If you’re looking for a more rounded design, but don’t have the fancy tools, try this hexagon-shaped planter.
Learn more at My Outdoor Plans
Raised Planter Plans
In addition to saving you from an aching back, raised planter designs provide height and visual variety to your garden landscape.
Waist High Raised Garden Bed Plan
Featuring 30″ long legs, this planter will lessen the back pain often associated with leaning over for ground-level gardens.
Learn more at My Outdoor Plans
Tiered Raised Bed Plan
With a variety of heights and shapes, this garden bed plan adds an extra dimension to any space. Try multi-colored flowers or different leafy greens.
Learn More at My Outdoor Plans
Elevated Herb Planter Plan
Total project time is estimated at 1 weekend for carpenters with intermediate skills. This elevated planter offers a different take on her gardens using either cedar or treated lumber.
Learn more at Lowe’s
Elevated Wooden Planter Box
This elevated structure is designed to hold a lot of weight—up to 400 lbs! That’s enough to hold a significant amount of soil, water, and plant life. The basic design can be customized to fit in size or add drains and a trellis.
Learn more from DIY Network
Hanging Planter Plans
Hanging planters come in many shapes and forms. Check out these very different planter designs.
Vertical Planter Bench Plan
Lowe’s creates this hanging planter with galvanized ductwork and cedar boards. A nice change from a standard hanging planter, this project offers a standing base and three levels of planting options.
Watch the tutorial at Lowe’s
Hanging Basket Planter Plan
Commonly seen with pro orchid growers, this box design has openings on the sides and bottom. Customize your exact sizing based on your desired pot size.
Learn more at Craftsmanspace
Specialty Planter Plans
These specialty planners aren’t always difficult to make, but each has a specific design and purpose.
Stepped Strawberry Planter
You don’t have to use this planter for tiered strawberries, but why wouldn’t you? I would have loved this in my old apartment container garden.
Learn more at My Outdoor Plans
Vegetable Garden Planter Plan
This raised box can be separated from the frame (if needed). Remember that vegetables should never be planted in treated lumber. Chemicals from treated lumber can leach into your food.
Learn more at Instructables
Star Planter Plan
This square box planter features a star design on the sides. Assembled similar to a quilt, this pattern is cut most easily with some specific power saws.
Learn more from That’s My Letter
Bamboo Planter With Trellis Plan
Unlike most planter plans I found, this one is made from bamboo instead of cedar or pine. Master working with this renewable for your favorite climbing vines like clematis or sweat peas.
Learn more at The Family Handyman
Self Watering Planter Plan
This plan has an estimated cost between $100-$500, but can pay dividends in healthy veggies for your kitchen. The self-watering design can be done over a weekend with basic skills.
Learn more at The Family Handyman
Flower Box Planter Plan
Since this box is intended for flowers, you can use treated lumber and plywood (like 3/8″ OSB) virtually hassle free. This model recommends placing a pot within the planter to reduce deterioration from watering.
Learn more from RONA Home and Garden
Planter On Wheels Plan
The builders made this sturdy planter out of scrap wood. Filled planters can get heavy, so instead of legs they added wheels. A great idea for weather sensitive plants that may need to go in and out seasonally.
Learn more from Four Generations, One Roof
Utility Planter Plans
These utility planter plans provide homes for growing things while also serving a purpose.
Hose Holder Planter Box
A hose holder is a handy feature for any backyard. Add some flowers on top or possibly a fragrant herb.
As a bonus, these plans are made out of upcycled pallet wood for an eco-friendly finish.
Learn more at DIY Candy
House Number Sign Planter Box Plan
The delivery driver won’t be able to miss your house with this planter design. Mount this planter into the ground at your entrance using cement for a permanent display.
Learn more at Remodelaholic
Planter Bench Plan
This bench offers ample seating with both a high and low-level planter.
Learn more at My Outdoor Plans
Deck And Patio Storage Planter Plan
Tongue and groove cedar boards are used to create a waist-high cabinet with doors, topped with a sizeable planter.
Watch the tutorial at Lowe’s
Upcycled Planter Plans
Not all of these projects are carpentry-based, but these upcycled designs are an eco-friendly way to create planters for your home.
Pallet Planter Project
It would be difficult to mention and upcycling project without pallets. Here’s a vertical pallet planter that works well on a small balcony or patio. For more pallet project ideas, check out our post about pallet furniture.
Learn more from Life on the Balcony
Recycled Tire Planter Project
Tires, tires, tires! I love how these upcycled tires were turned inside out, allowing the plants to blossom from the pot.
Learn more at PITH + VIGOR
Hollow Tree Planter Project
If you want a more natural look, find a friendly stump. Hollow out the insides, and let this planter grow again.
Learn more at Shorties Funny Farm
DIY Shutter Planter Project
This project involves more painting than building. I’d use salvaged shutters, but these plans still apply. Add some rope and painted plant pots for this multi-pot look.
Learn more at Home Depot
Garden Junk Planter Projects
Our team loved these simple upcycling planter ideas. It was difficult to pick one.
Learn more at Upcycled Wonders
Hi Kate…I really love your newsletters on everything gardening…It’s allot more info than I had expected from a free website so dedicated to the gardener’s across the country…I have plans of my own,to put an I teresting twist on the planter-box for growing any plants…I’m using a former water fountain,as the planter,while also using the fountain pump to move soiled water from a “mini” fish pond ,up to the plants,& it’s small enuff 2B used inside or outside…Here in the N.E.its hard 2 have a working fish pond or grow plants outside,because of the cold climate…The total cost for my project,is VERY affordable & easy 2 assemble..It cost me,includ.the soil & fish & plants, finished project was ONLY ($90)…If I had to buy all of the items individually,it would have been more like ($250-$300)…I’m sure many of your readers might like to try out my design..It’s also a great learning tool 4 kids or anyone looking to create a whole
& self sustaining mini country ….I also have made my own worm factory,for way less than the orig.one online..It’s very efficient & total cost includ.the worms,is
a ONLY ($60),complete & produces 100% organic worm “castings” for the improvement of all/any planting soils…
I am physically.disabled,& my mo.SSDI is quite low,less than ($500)per month.i set aside a little easier.month for #6 months,to make these #2- projects,which iplan 2 use 2 add more fresh foods to my diet,w/o costing me too much @ the store,that will only cost me penny’s to achieve…If U think,any of your readers might be interested in either one of these or both,I can send u pics &/or descript’s of all items needed to make their own little country’s..Too..Thankyou,for all of your INSPIRATION & info…M.Wilber
Thank you for the kind words Mary. We are always striving to create posts that are fun, informational, and functional too. Good luck with all your projects.