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Build a Modern Window Planter Box

Window planter boxes are a great way to bring an architectural element and also a boost of color to your house’s exterior. There are a wide array of styles out there; I chose to make a simple box design to reflect our 1900 cabin-style home and shed.

We recently constructed a shed to store all those items that we’ve been piling within our bare upstairs and that we are guaranteed to need in the long run — at the least, that is exactly what I tell my husband. But the shed’s simple square shape was needing some serious style aid, especially given its observable place in our yard. We added a six-paned window, which gave it a little somethin’ somethin’, but it was a blank slate. I wanted to include straightforward shade and texture, and I believed a window planter box would be the perfect addition.

Meg Padgett

Materials:
1-by-6 cedar fencingSaw4D 1 1/2-inch galvanized nails6 rustproof 3-inch deck screwsPrimer and paint or stainWood glueClamps (optional)

Meg Padgett

Measure the period of the window from 1 side of the trim into another.

Meg Padgett

Use a saw to cut the boards into the desired length.

The front and back pieces should be cut equivalent to the period of the window, including trim. The sides should be cut to a length equivalent to the width of these boards. Our window was 40 inches long with 5 1/2-inch-long sides. The bottom was 39 inches long to accommodate the diameter of the sides.

Drill drainage holes at the very least a half-inch in diameter in the bottom piece.

Meg Padgett

Attach the sides to both the ground and back piece. First, run a bead of wood glue between the boards and then nail them together. I attached three claws on each side and vertically on the back part, and five claws across the bottom of the back. To maintain the boards set up, use a wall as support when attaching the sides. Clamps are also a wonderful way to maintain the boards secure.

If you will be mounting your windowbox directly onto the wall, then leave front unattached so that it could be mounted easily.

And for those of you who will use brackets to mount the window, go ahead and join the front at this stage, too.

Meg Padgett

Whether you choose to stain or paint the window planter box, then save yourself some effort and employ your paint or stain halfway down the inside of the box. If you are painting, remember to prime the box first.

Is a weathered look your item? Leave the box in its natural state and let nature run its program.

I painted our window in Behr’s Deep Space.

Meg Padgett

Attach the window into the wall, ensuring you are mounting into studs. I used six rustproof deck screws to fasten it to the wall socket.

Meg Padgett

Attach front to both sides and the bottom with the nails.

Meg Padgett

Finally, add a boost of color with plants.

Before planting, prepare the window with a coating of landscaping fabric on the floor.

The type of plants are around you. Cascading plants will produce a beautiful overflowing scene. Annuals are fantastic for people who like to modify things up during the year. To get season-long interest, try out a combination of cascading, flowering and evergreen grasses. Just keep in mind that the more plants you plant and also the larger the box is, the more service you need.

I’ve chosen a bright perennial to adorn our window box. These bright yellowish Sunflower Tickseed flowers provide a great complementary vivid color to the color of midnight blue.

Meg Padgett

For only $4 and a minimum time commitment, this eye-catching window planter box has contributed our simple drop a charming cottage feel and fostered our house’s curb appeal.

More DIYs from Meg Padgett’s backyard:
Beautiful Machine Deck
Backyard Hanging Shelves
Easy Outdoor Cushions

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