Old wine boxes that are destined to be thrown away can become stylish wine box planters. You can move them around, use several to line a wall, or turn them into a garden centrepiece. The best part is that you can make one on your own in an hour or two.
You can make a simple wine box planter for a lot less than the cost of a similar ready-made planter. Plus, it will probably look even better.
How to make a wine box planter DIY style the simple way
Find a wine box, drill some holes in it, add some glue and screws, sand and coat the box, and that’s it! Making a wine planter box really is that easy. Here’s a breakdown of each of the steps for building a wine box planter on legs. But first, make sure you gather all the materials and tools you need for this project.
Materials and tools you need
- wine box
- 4 x 1-inch square cut-offs long enough for the legs (or something similar)
- 4 wood runners for the bottom of the box (optional)
- 1¼ inch screws
- metal clamps for wood
- clear-coat heavy-duty finish
- wood glue for outdoor use
- electric screwdriver
- 1-inch drill bit
- jigsaw
- pencil
- sanding tool (optional)
- wood staple remover (optional)
It’s easy to turn an old wine box into a stylish planter. Image credit: @latebloomerworkshop
Step 1 – Get your hands on a wine box
Maybe you have a wine box left over from your last rowdy house party. If not, ask the nearest wine and spirits store for one.
Often, they’ll give it to you for free or sell it for an insignificant sum. After all, they have to get rid of all those wine boxes piling up at the back of their store.
Step 2 – Prepare the wine box
Before you add the legs, make sure the box is in good shape. Look for any gaps between the wood and glue and clamp them. It may seem like extra work, but it’s going to reinforce the box so you can plant just about anything in it.
Tip: While you’re at it, you can use the wood staple remover to get rid of any visible staples from the top. Some of these may look at odds with the wood.
Step 3 – Cut the legs for the wine box planter
You can use wood cut-offs for this one provided they’re long enough. 1-inch square cut-offs will do. But you can use anything similar you can get your hands on.
Use the electric saw to cut them at around 18 inches in length or your desired size. You don’t want them to be too long, or your wine box planter will look like it sits on stilts. And you don’t want them to be too short either, or the box will seem low and squat.
Step 4 – Drill holes for the legs
Use the pencil to mark outlines for the legs on the bottom of the box. The outlines should be 1-inch square or as large as your wine box planter legs.
Next, use the 1-inch bit to drill the holes you’ve marked. Cut the rest of the hole into a square with the saw. Don’t worry about making the cut perfect since it will sit below the box. Just make it large enough for the legs to fit snugly through it.
Tip: As a shortcut, you can simply clamp the legs to the bottom with screws, so you don’t have to drill them. Your wine box won’t look as classy, but it will be functional.
Step 5 – Put the legs in
Glue the sides of the legs that meet the edges of the box. Then drive the legs in up to the top of the box, making sure they won’t stick out.
This won’t be enough to support the weight of the box, so make sure to drive some 1¼ inch screws through them. Three screws on the longer sides of the box and three on the shorter sides will do. Screw them in under the surface of the wood so they won’t jut out.
Step 6 – Add some runners for extra support (optional)
This step is optional, but it’s worth doing. It will reinforce the wine box so it can handle the weight of the soil.
Simply glue the runners vertically to the bottom of the box. They don’t have to be pretty since you’ll cover them with soil anyway.
Step 7 – Sand and finish
Sand the box carefully on all sides. You probably want to preserve the wine label for an authentic look. Some wine box labels look really cool.
After you’ve sanded the box, give it a coat of heavy-duty, clear-coat varnish. Don’t skip this part. The finish will make the box ready for all that rain and shine it will be getting outdoors.
Step 8 – Drill some drainage holes
Another important step you don’t want to skip. You can use the same bit you used for drilling the legs to save time.
Turn the box over and drill 6-8 holes at the bottom. Your plant will be grateful for them.
Tip: You can add newspapers or weed membrane to the bottom of the box so dirt won’t fall out. Add some leftover wood scraps for better drainage and to save on potting soil.
Step 9 – Fill with soil and plant something in it
Choose the soil based on the plant(s) you plan on growing in the box.
A wine box planter is big enough for several plants. Flowers and herbs will be more than happy growing in it, provided you keep it in a sunny spot sheltered from the wind.
And that’s about it!
Wine crate planter box ideas
Got your hands on more than one wine crate? You don’t have to build the same planter over and over again. Here are some clever wine crate planter box ideas to inspire you:
Legless wine box planter
You can use a wine box as a planter as it is without adding legs to it. At most, all you have to do is reinforce it a bit and place it on two narrow pieces of wood for better drainage (so that it doesn’t sit directly on the ground). Legless wine box planters are great for decks, patios, and wall shelves.
Image credit: Pinterest
Wine box planter on iron frame
Placing a wine box on an iron frame enables you to create a raised planter quickly and easily. If you already have an iron frame, simply place your wine box on top of it. You can give the frame a fresh coat of paint or leave it as it is for an authentic feel.
Image credit: Pinterest
Tiered wine box planters
Instead of sitting on the ground, the legs of the wine box planter can sit on the wine crate beneath. This cascading design calls for large and sturdy wine boxes. The sides of the boxes have to be thick enough for you to be able to drill holes in for the legs.
Image credit: Pinterest
Windowsill wine box planter
Narrower wine boxes can sit on the windowsill. To make one of these, you have to hunt for the right wine box. You can paint it white or another colour that works with the surroundings. You can also attach handles to make it easier to handle.
You won’t be drilling any drainage holes in this one. Line the bottom of the box with a plastic liner so water won’t trickle down your wall and place plastic flower pots inside.
Image credit: Pinterest
Wine box planter on wheels
Adding wheels to a wine box planter makes it easy to move around on a paved area. This works for large, heavier wine boxes, which can weigh quite a lot with the soil in them. The wheels also raise it above the ground to improve drainage. Visit your local DIY store for a set of four wheels or use any you have already.
Image credit: mylifeatplaytime
The wrap up
Next time you have a few drinks with your friends, don’t throw the wine box away. You can repurpose it into a stylish planter box for indoor or outdoor use. It’s a simple and fun DIY project that you can complete in just a few steps. Try it and see for yourself.
You may also like: 10 planter box ideas to liven up your decking
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