DIY Window Planter Boxes: character, curb appeal, and color

Ever since we bought our first house back in 2019 I have always wanted window planter boxes. Our first home was an old 1800’s colonial style house and would’ve been so cute with window boxes out front. Our next house was a traditional style house but needed a face lift so badly to help add some warmth and dimension, plus the windows were so small the window boxes would’ve added some height to them. Life happened and other home renovations and updates took precedent to my little window boxes, so when Daniel asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year I knew the perfect thing to ask for.

While our current house is an investment property that we only plan to be in for the next few months, it’s still important to me to give our home charm and character and definitely up the curb appeal. Our house is a small brick rambler that we recently painted Alabaster White and the oversized shutters Jogging Path (both by Sherwin Williams). There is a good amount of landscaping out front but nothing that flowers or has any substantial color to it. Window boxes are the perfect way to add color and beauty to the outside of your home without having to invest in mature landscaping. Daniel decided to DIY our window boxes and was able to build all 4 of them for approximately $80.00. If we would’ve bought them from a store it would’ve been around $400.00, not including the plants! So DIY was definitely the right way to go. I’ve added step by step directions to building your own window boxes to the bottom of this post. 

We always try to incorporate the kids into everyday activities, even when it turns a quick and simple task into a long and thought out one. We made family trip to the nursery to pick out the plants for the boxes. I told Isla that we needed to find plants with white and light purple flowers and then let her lead the way. When we got home we filled the boxes with soil and added in the plants. Isla did two of the planter boxes completely on her own. She always surprises me with how well she can do activities like this. Elliot ran around collecting the plastic pots and playing in the yard the entire time.

I am so happy with how the window planter boxes ended up turning out. They add so much character to the front of out house. I can’t wait to see how the plants grow in the next few months. 

DIY Window Planter Box: Step-by-Step Guide

Materials Needed:

- Wood (cedar, pine, or redwood are popular choices)

- Screws

- Drill

- Saw

- Wood glue

- Sandpaper

- Wood stain or paint (optional)

- Plastic liner or landscape fabric

- Potting soil

- Plants or flowers of your choice

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Wood

Measure the width of your window and decide on the dimensions for your planter box. Typically, planter boxes are slightly narrower than the width of the window to allow for proper drainage. Cut the wood into the desired lengths for the front, back, sides, and bottom of the planter box using a saw.

Step 2: Assemble the Box

Lay out the pieces of wood to form the frame of the planter box. Apply wood glue to the edges where the pieces will connect and use screws or a pin nailer to secure them together. Ensure that the corners are square and the box is sturdy.

Step 3: Add Drainage Holes

To prevent water from pooling at the bottom of the planter box, drill several drainage holes in the bottom piece of wood. These holes will allow excess water to escape.

Step 4: Sand and Finish the Box

Once the box is assembled, use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges and create a uniform surface. If desired, apply a coat of wood stain or paint to protect the wood from moisture and enhance its appearance. Allow the finish to dry completely before the next steps.

Step 5: Line the Box

To protect the wood and prevent water damage, line the inside of the planter box with a plastic liner or landscape fabric. Trim the liner to fit snugly inside the box, leaving a few inches of excess material around the edges.

Step 6: Install the Planter Box

Position the planter box beneath your window, ensuring it is securely attached to the exterior wall. Use screws to mount the box in place, taking care to align it with the window frame.

Step 7: Add Potting Soil and Plants

Fill the planter box with potting soil, leaving enough space at the top to accommodate your plants or flowers. Gently transplant your plants into the soil, arranging them as desired and ensuring they have adequate room to grow.