7 DIY Planter Ideas Using Everyday Items

You don't always need to buy a new planter to make your garden look good.

Some of the best DIY planters are made from things you already have sitting around the house, garage, or even the recycling bin. An old bucket, a mason jar, a wooden crate, or a chipped kitchen container can become a useful home for flowers, herbs, or small plants with just a little creativity.

I especially like these kinds of projects because they don't need to look perfect. A little bit of wear and character can actually make a DIY planter feel more charming.

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to add more personality to your porch, patio, balcony, or backyard, try one of these 7 DIY planter ideas using everyday items.

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1. Turn an Old Bucket Into a Rustic Planter

Have an old metal or plastic bucket that you aren't using anymore?

Give it a second life as a simple garden planter.

Buckets work especially well for flowers, herbs, and smaller vegetables. If the bucket doesn't already have drainage holes, add a few small holes in the bottom before adding soil.

You can leave the bucket as-is for a rustic look, or give it a fresh coat of outdoor paint. A slightly weathered bucket can look surprisingly good next to a porch, garden path, or patio.

For a simple arrangement, plant one larger flowering plant in the center and let a few smaller plants spill over the edge.

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2. Make a Planter From a Wooden Crate

Wooden crates are one of the easiest items to turn into a garden planter.

You can find inexpensive crates at craft stores, home improvement stores, or sometimes secondhand. Line the inside with landscape fabric or another suitable liner, add drainage, and fill it with potting soil.

A crate looks great with herbs, flowers, or several small plants grouped together.

You can also stack two or three crates to create a simple tiered garden display. This is especially useful if you have a small patio or don't want to spend much money on garden decor.

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3. Repurpose Mason Jars for Small Herb Planters

Mason jars are perfect for tiny indoor or outdoor herb gardens.

They work particularly well for herbs such as basil, thyme, chives, and parsley when placed in a bright location.

You can line several jars along a sunny kitchen windowsill, place them on a covered porch, or group them together on a small outdoor shelf.

For outdoor use, remember that jars don't have traditional drainage holes. You can either use them as decorative cachepots with a smaller nursery pot inside or carefully create a suitable drainage setup.

Add small handwritten-style plant labels if you want to make the display feel more personal.

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4. Give an Old Colander a New Purpose

An old kitchen colander can make a surprisingly good planter.

The holes already provide plenty of drainage, which makes this project particularly easy.

Choose a colander that you no longer use and fill it with potting mix. Flowers with trailing stems can look beautiful spilling over the sides.

You can leave a metal colander in its original finish for a vintage look, or paint it with an outdoor-appropriate finish if you want something brighter.

Hang it from a sturdy hook or simply place it on a patio table, garden bench, or porch step.

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5. Turn an Old Chair Into a Garden Planter

This one is especially fun if you have an old wooden chair that's too worn out to use indoors.

Instead of throwing it away, remove the seat or place a planter container where the seat used to be.

Paint the chair if you want a more finished look, or leave the old wood exposed for a rustic garden feel.

A flowering plant spilling through the center of the chair can turn an ordinary piece of furniture into a really interesting garden focal point.

Place it near a garden entrance, porch, flower bed, or backyard seating area.

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6. Use an Old Tin Can for Tiny Plants

Before tossing empty food cans into the recycling bin, consider turning a few into tiny planters.

Clean the cans thoroughly, remove any sharp edges, and add drainage holes in the bottom.

You can paint them in simple colors or leave the metal exposed. A group of matching cans can make a cute little herb garden, especially on a balcony, windowsill, or small patio shelf.

They're also a great way to start plants from cuttings or grow small flowers without buying several new containers.

Just make sure the cans are safe to handle and don't have sharp exposed edges.

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7. Turn an Old Basket Into a Beautiful Planter

Have an old basket sitting in a closet?

It may be perfect for a planter.

Woven baskets can add warmth and texture to an outdoor space. Because many baskets aren't designed to hold wet soil directly, place a suitable nursery pot or liner inside the basket first.

Use the basket to hold a leafy houseplant on a covered porch or a seasonal flower arrangement outside.

This idea is especially nice if you like a softer, more natural look rather than a collection of traditional plastic pots.

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A Few Tips Before Making DIY Planters

Before turning an everyday item into a planter, think about three things: drainage, safety, and durability.

Plants generally don't like sitting in constantly wet soil, so drainage is important. If you're drilling holes into a container, make sure the material can be safely drilled and smooth out any sharp edges.

It's also worth considering where the planter will live. A cardboard container may work temporarily indoors, but it obviously won't hold up outside in rain. Metal, wood, ceramic, and sturdy plastic are generally more practical for outdoor projects.

And don't forget the weight. A large container filled with wet soil can become surprisingly heavy.

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Make Your DIY Planters Look Intentional

One easy way to make homemade planters look more polished is to group them together.

Instead of placing one random container in each corner of the yard, create a small collection. Try three different sizes or use similar colors to make the arrangement feel connected.

You can also mix heights. Put a taller planter behind two smaller ones, or place containers on a crate or small plant stand.

The goal isn't to make every planter match perfectly. A little variety is what gives a DIY garden its personality.

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Don't Be Afraid to Use What You Already Have

The best part about these projects is that you don't have to start with a trip to the garden center.

Look around your home first.

That old bucket in the garage, extra wooden crate, unused basket, or chipped kitchen item might already be the planter you've been looking for.

Sometimes the most interesting garden decor comes from things that were never meant to be garden decor in the first place.

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Final Thoughts

Creating a beautiful garden doesn't have to mean buying everything new.

With a little imagination, everyday household items can become useful and attractive planters. Whether you choose an old bucket, wooden crate, mason jar, colander, chair, tin can, or basket, you can create something that feels personal without spending much money.

Start with one item you already have at home and see where the idea takes you.

Your next favorite planter might already be sitting in your garage.