Review author: Terrari School of Design
A spectacular and original design for garden flowers can add special charm to the local area, decorate a recreation area in the garden, veranda, gazebo or balcony. Hanging flowerpots not only look beautiful, but also significantly save space.
By showing a creative approach, it’s easy to make unusual flowerpots for the garden with your own hands, literally from scrap materials and various household items.
Wooden flower pots
Wood is a natural, warm, pliable material, but unfortunately susceptible to rot.
A wooden planter can be made from bars, boards, slats and even logs, both vertical and horizontal. Branches and bark are also used for interesting vessels.
Kinds
Since not everyone can or wants to place flowers on the windowsill, there is a need to select the optimal place for them. At the moment, there is a fairly wide variety of stands that can fit in any room.
Among the most popular options:
- wooden;
- metal;
- combined;
- floor;
- wall-mounted
For indoor plants, any of the above options may be suitable, both in terms of material of manufacture and location. You can make wooden coasters yourself, since only a specialist or a person with experience in such a matter can work with metal.
A DIY wooden flower stand can have a different appearance, which depends on the number of plants that will be placed on it.
If there are a lot of pots, then a multi-level design would be the best option. For one or two flowerpots, you should choose something elegant and stylish to decorate the room.
Independent construction of a product may include the use of a wide variety of materials:
- pieces of plastic;
- twine;
- wire of different thicknesses and colors;
- vine;
- threads
The stand does not have to be simple; it can be stylishly decorated and complemented with mosaics, decoupage or painted.
Before you start making the product, you should consider the option of the stand, its height, dimensions, sketch out drawings and decide on the final option. In the process of work, certain ideas for decorating an object usually emerge, but sometimes a ready-made form suggests the desired option, so there is no need to rush with it.
If a floor design has been chosen, then it is worth choosing the most suitable option. It could be:
- ladder;
- multi-level shelves;
- apartment flower bed;
- high stand;
- low stand.
The floor version is also called jardiniere. It is often used as a decorative element. It is not difficult to make such a design, you just need to choose a material that is convenient for the work.
Usually this is chipboard, wood or plastic, from which the stand itself and the base are made, connecting to each other. The stand can have any height, the main thing is that the entire structure is stable, for which the base must be at least 20 cm in diameter.
When creating a jardiniere, it is necessary to provide grooves, thanks to which all the parts will be connected, and to use specialized glue for reliable fixation.
Wall stands are usually created in the form of one or more shelves that connect to each other. This option is used in cases where there is no space on the windowsill or floor for additional objects. Most often, wall shelves are made of metal or wood. The most beautiful techniques are forging and figured wood cutting. If we talk about more affordable options, then these include connecting one shelf with sides or several shelves with membranes that will strengthen the structure.
You can also come up with a variety of stands for the window that will make the room more comfortable and beautiful, and also make it possible to place many more flowers in it. When thinking through the design, it is important to provide several important details:
- free access of light to the room;
- ease of use of the window sill;
- comfortable watering and care of flowers;
- the opportunity to admire the vegetation from anywhere in the room.
Wood, plastic and metal are most often used for window sills. The most beautiful stands are made of metal, with the help of which amazing things are forged.
Wooden and plastic products are less attractive, but more practical, because with their help you can make a small but high stand that will accommodate from 4 to 8 pots. The most popular option is to combine round wooden stands and a metal stand, which ensures the strength of the structure and its neat appearance.
The choice of option depends on the size of the room, the number of colors and the desires of the owner. You can make any stand with your own hands, the main thing is to understand the principles of its manufacture, select the right materials and make a suitable drawing.
When choosing a product for a room, you should also focus on the general style of the room, so that the new object complements it and does not stand out from the already finished concept.
Log flowerpot (horizontal)
Cut the log down for stability or deepen it into the ground, having previously treated the cut area with a special anti-spoilage solution.
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It is also necessary to cut out the necessary hole; small flowers, such as viola or ageratum, are suitable for such a flowerpot.
Vertical flowerpots are made in the same way; several identical columns will look especially harmonious.
Buy or make it yourself?
Perhaps every housewife asked herself this question. Today, a huge assortment of all kinds of decorative forms, stands, holders and supports is available. The only problem is that truly beautiful accessories are not cheap and not everyone can afford them. And what is affordable is not always pleasing to the eye.
Another advantage of “hand made” products is that they can be made to the desired size. If there is a small corner between the sofa and the armchair left for a flower stand, or a fragment of the wall near the closet is ideal for a shelf, then by carefully measuring the space, you can create a neat and very practical interior detail.
Moreover, today you can purchase various accessories, decorative elements and fasteners, so that the item is beautiful and as functional as possible.
Pots made of clay, gypsum and cement
Clay pots look great both at home and in the garden. If you know how to work on a pottery wheel, then all you have to do is come up with a silhouette.
If you don’t have such a tool at hand, you can make a flowerpot on a mold, for example, from cement. To do this, cover your favorite basin or bucket with a protective film and pour out the cement mixture, place a smaller diameter container on top, also protected with film, but from the bottom, and place a load in it.
The finished flowerpot can be decorated with mosaics, pieces of multi-colored glass or tiles. More often, cement pots are connected to stone, a pot is covered with stone, or a free form is glued together using a mixture.
General rules
Creating containers for flower pots, at first glance, is not a difficult task. After all, this is just a kind of container, consisting of a bottom and sides, which should hold and cover the pot. Moreover, it can be hung on a string, nailed to a wall, or simply placed on the ground.
But without complying with basic requirements, a flowerpot can very quickly lose its visual appeal and litter the space intended for decoration.
The first rule is surface treatment that allows it to withstand temperature changes and the influence of precipitation. It is also necessary to exclude the processes of rotting and infection by parasites, using paints and varnishes intended for open air.
For a zonal design, several flower pots are usually used in harmony with other elements of the exterior. The various compositions of flowerpots shown in the photo for decorating facades, walls and garden areas are made with a single solution. Fashionable mixing of styles very rarely works in landscape design.
When decorating with flower containers, the general design concept of the site as a whole is taken into account, or an autonomous solution is possible in limited areas of terraces, gazebos, alpine slides, etc.
In order for the flowers in containers to remain healthy, the location of the flowerpot or composition of them must provide the appropriate light and temperature conditions. The pot must be firmly secured in a decorative vessel, avoiding shaking that is harmful to the plants.
Decorative containers are a kind of camouflage for flower pots, and, with the exception of models with mesh bottoms, they are not equipped with drainage. It is necessary to regularly drain the water accumulated in the trays, and also lay a layer of gravel or moss on the bottom to prevent rotting of the roots due to stagnant moisture.
Flower pots made from scrap materials
Absolutely any items can become raw materials for an interesting garden planter: a piece of pipe from a sewerage device, half a bag of expanded clay, a dozen old tires, glass bottles.
How to make a flowerpot for the garden from such seemingly unsuitable items? It’s very simple, we involve the children in the process, dad with a sharp cutter, a few movements and now from a five-liter canister we get a pig, and not just a pig, but a flower pot.
Everyone has probably seen the master class on how to make a swan from a tire, but if this is difficult for you, then you can cut the edge of the tire with a wavy line and leave it like that.
Rubber can be easily painted; you just need to remove dirt and wipe with acetone. If you put such a wheel on the rim (from the wheel), you will get a very beautiful and not bulky planter.
Flowerpots made from old things have gained particular popularity. List of interesting ideas for further processing:
- umbrella
- vintage bag suitcase
- hat
- tarpaulin boots
Peculiarities
The use of green spaces in residential premises has its roots in ancient times. As soon as a person realized the need to build a place in which he could live for a long time, the path of evolution of the interior within this space began. In addition to the appearance of furniture and necessary household items, flowers and useful plants began to appear in the house.
Since there was no medicine as such in ancient times, people were well versed in the healing properties of herbs and flowers and tried to keep them to themselves.
There are a number of beneficial properties that a person receives if they have green plants in their room:
- normalization of a person’s psychological state;
- indoor air purification;
- protecting your home from unknown forces.
In addition to the undeniable benefits, having flowers in a variety of colors at home decorates the room, making it brighter, pleasant and cozy. There are no clear limits on how many flowers there can be in a room, but if you want to have them in sufficient quantities, you should take care of the place where they will be located.
Since plants have certain needs, it is important to provide them with the necessary amount of light and moisture, otherwise they will not live long.
The most common place where pots are usually displayed is the windowsill, but this is not always convenient, so having specialized stands at home can significantly improve the situation.
Such products can be found in the store or you can make them yourself if you try a little.
Classic clay pots
To make it you will need: water, clay and a piece of fabric or newspaper. Add water to the clay and stir until it reaches the consistency of a hard dough, the main thing is that the resulting mass is plastic, homogeneous, without bubbles and does not stick to your hands.
The clay layer is rolled out and a bottom in the shape of a circle is cut out of it. The next step is making the walls and then attaching them to the bottom of the future pot. Bundles or twines with a diameter of 0.5 cm are used as a staple.
After sculpting is completed, the finished product should be wrapped in cloth or newspaper and left to dry. After complete drying, double firing is carried out, which removes remaining moisture and gives the product the necessary strength.
The firing process should be carried out at a temperature of +300 degrees for three hours.
Ideas for making flower stands with your own hands
A plant stand is a must if you keep indoor plants, as sooner or later you will run out of room for them on your table or counter. Making your own plant stands from wood gives you the opportunity to reuse used materials while adding a natural ambiance to your home decor.
A yard sale or thrift store rescue can be a good source of inexpensive materials for making plant stands if you don't already have those materials in your home.
Simplicity of a stepladder
A small wooden stepladder with two or three steps can serve as a cute, slightly distressed plant stand that doesn't require any modifications. Turn it into a colorful distress by first painting a base shade, such as apple green, rubbing candle wax onto the dry paint, and then applying a second shade on top, such as robin's egg blue. Sand some areas to expose the underlying color and expose the wood.
Two short stepladders with a wide board between them serve as a wide plant stand.
For a tall stand, remove the back half of a tall wooden stepladder and lean the ladder against the wall so that the top platform is level. The bottom of the stepladder will protrude from the wall about a foot, and the top will touch the wall. Attach the top of the ladder to the wall using L-brackets and wall anchors.
Box design
A row of wooden crates or boxes, such as wine crates or antique fruit crates, placed next to each other with the open ends facing the room, can serve as a plant stand. Arrange the drawers in the configuration you want. Create a pyramid-shaped plant stand along the wall by stacking tiers of boxes, such as a base of three boxes, a layer of two, and one in between.
Potted plants are placed both inside the openings of the boxes and on top of them, which provides plenty of space for plants.
Mix plants and decorative items, such as empty vases, among the boxes for added visual interest. Even a single box placed in a corner or near a table can provide a place to place a plant if space is limited. For the safety of children and pets, make sure the boxes are strong enough to support the weight of your houseplants and that they are positioned so that they cannot be knocked over.
Flower stands with legs
Cutting boards of almost any length can become plant stands if you add wooden legs, latches or porch railings to them. A board at least a few inches wide and an inch thick is the most versatile stand because it can support even wide or heavy plant pots.
Table leg sets, complete with hardware, can be purchased at home improvement stores.
A wooden serving tray with extra legs serves as a plant tray that will fit into even a small space, while an old pantry or closet door can accommodate several potted plants. As for the length of the legs, it is a matter of choice. Tall legs create a stand where plants can receive ample sunlight from a tall window.
Hanging
A ceiling hook may be a common place to hang a plant basket, but it's not the only option. Make a rectangular wooden frame several feet tall using boards of equal width held together with screws or L-shaped brackets. A wider wooden board attached to the bottom of the structure strengthens the stand and makes it more durable. A plant hook under the top board can hold a hanging basket.
From plywood
- The classic stand is well suited for apartments and houses. You need to take a shelf made of chipboard or PVC, plywood, thick rope, screws, plugs, paints and varnish for decoration, a screwdriver, drill, saw, hammer and screwdriver. For comfortable work you will need a level, tape measure, ruler and pencil. Make the product like this.
- Prepare the material. Calculate the size based on the free space. The width should match the size of the pot. Additional bars in the middle will help make the distance between the shelves the same.
- Drill 2 holes in each shelf with a drill. They need to be placed in parallel. The size of the hole should be such that a thick rope can pass freely.
- Pass the rope through all the holes. Form a loop at the top for hanging, and make a secure knot at the bottom.
- Install the stand. Drill a hole in the wall in the desired location and install the mount. Fix the stand firmly. The wall design is ideal for indoor plants.
From wire
Even a woman can make a structure, the main thing is to have experience in handling cold welding. For work, use welding wire with a diameter of 1 cm. Stock up on cold forging tools and a hammer (800 g). Make a stand like this.
- Draw a sketch, divide it into simple parts. Calculate all sizes. Be sure to consider the diameter of the round blanks for the pots.
- First of all, make a stand and stands. Duplicate the drawn parts with wire and secure with cold welding.
- Make decorative items. These can be various curls, spirals, leaves and flowers. If desired, you can use ready-made metal molds to create these parts. Simply drive the wire into the template with a hammer and remove the desired element.
- Attach all the decorative parts to the main homemade structure using cold welding.
Tabletop flower stands
Cute table stands are widely used in apartments with limited space. They are placed on tables, cabinets, shelves near a source of daylight. They also come in a wide range of forms.
The compactness and small dimensions of such racks provide more scope for creativity. They are made mainly from wood, plastic, twisted metal profile, chipboard, and also woven from any flexible material that is at hand (wicker, rattan, bamboo).
Wooden for bathroom flowers
A wooden shelf is suitable for a bathroom, but in order for it to last longer and not become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria in the room, you need to coat it with varnish.
From the stairs
In its usual form, it would be awkward to install a staircase shelf; in no case would the solution fit into the design of the home.
But if the staircase is refined, it can become a stylish stand for several pots of flowers.
First you need to sand it, and then remove the boards intended for walking. They are fixed inside the structure.
Sliding rack
It is quite difficult to create a sliding rack with your own hands. To do this, you will need to cut out various square elements and connect them in the form of a snake. It is important that the structure does not settle after assembly (this happens when using wooden elements).
Corner semicircle
A corner stand in a semicircle, which is mounted on the wall, will save useful space in the room. You will need several meters of MDF and a milling machine. Three elements are cut out: two sides and a bottom, and the shelves after. If you stick tape on the ends of the product, the stand will become more beautiful.
On belts
A wall shelf with straps does not have much durability. But it can become a stylish decoration for the interior of a room. To make it you only need two boards and two belts. The shelf is simply placed on the belts, and they are secured with self-tapping screws on the wall.
Glass
The glass shelf will fit into the interior of any room. Glass strips are attached with wooden blocks; you can make a flying version.
Combined
The combinations can be very different. Often made from driftwood and metal, wood and pipes. There are even options made from glass bottles and popsicle sticks. The main thing is to take into account the requirements for sustainability.
Drawer construction
In this case, you won’t have to tinker with anything. Several boxes of any size (same or different) are painted in a suitable color. After the composition has dried, the objects are placed on top of each other in random order (large ones on the bottom, smaller ones on top).
For greater reliability, all elements are fastened with self-tapping screws. Flower pots are placed in the resulting niches and at the very top of the structure. Such a wall-floor stand will take a minimum of time, but will look quite interesting.
Pallet flower stand
This version of the stand is more suitable for a summer house, but after careful processing of the pallets it can be “fit” for an apartment. Even one pallet is suitable here, which is placed vertically, with the help of self-tapping screws, crossbars and shelves for flowers are screwed to it.
Handmade flower pots
The material for making a flower pot can be anything that can be shaped into a bowl. These can be natural (clay and wood), construction (gypsum and cement) or any available materials, you just need to look around and show imagination and ingenuity.
Below we describe simple techniques for working with the most common raw materials and photos of homemade flower pots.