20 DIY Window Boxes to Step Up Your Outdoor Décor
These projects are the perfect finishing touch for your home's exterior.
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Looking for a way to add beauty and interest to the front of your home, while amping up your curb appeal in the process? Window boxes are the perfect front yard landscaping idea or pretty front porch project. They also make an excellent DIY venture, even for beginners. That’s because these simple structures are easy to build, using just a few basic materials that can be purchased from your local home improvement store. Plus, making DIY window boxes allows you to customize them to the exterior of your unique abode, for every style from contemporary to colonial and beyond. No saw? No worries. You’ll find that many of the pieces you need are available in pre-cut sizes across stores. If not, most stores are able to cut the materials for you on-site, saving you time, energy, money, and stress.
Once you’ve built and installed the window boxes of your dreams, it’s time to decide how to fill them. The options are limitless! Window boxes can be home to a wide variety of flowers and plants, from fresh herbs to healing plants to trailing ferns that will spill attractively over the sides of your gorgeous planters. If you’re looking for a low-care solution for your window boxes, consider succulents or even faux flowers. Before you get started, check out this roundup of DIY window box ideas to let your imagination bloom. The right project is waiting for you and only bound by your imagination!
DIY Classic Window Boxes
Create these classic white window boxes in 30 minutes using pine boards and trim moulding. Add plastic window box liners and fill them with boxwoods for instant height, structure and lushness, plus softer, more flowing flowers like pansies and hyacinth.
Get the tutorial at Jenny Steffens.
DIY Galvanized Herb Garden Window Boxes
Turn any galvanized tub or bucket into a window box planter by drilling drainage holes into the bottom. Fill with fresh herbs like parsley, oregano, basil, and mint so you’ll always have edible essentials for your kitchen.
Get the tutorial at The Polished Pebble.
Simple DIY Window Boxes
These charming window boxes are made of common board, which is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. To install them, first attach two “L” brackets to the front of your home.
Get the tutorial at The Handmade Home.
DIY Shaker Window Boxes
These popular Shaker-style window boxes look even lovelier when paired with matching shutters. Be sure to drill holes into the bottom of the window boxes to allow for water drainage.
Get the tutorial at Beneath My Heart.
DIY Flower Box Planters
These pretty white window boxes are guaranteed to weather any storm because they’re made with pressure-treated wood to protect from rot and insects. Keep it simple or add optional trim for a more elaborate look.
Get the tutorial at H20 Bungalow.
DIY Cottage Chic Flower Boxes
Your windowscape will look pretty as a picture with the help of this easy-to-follow tutorial. Curved wood brackets add cottage style to this simple white window box.
Get the tutorial at Amber Oliver.
DIY Picket Fence Window Boxes
These unique window boxes are made using affordable and durable cedar fence planks. Paint them white if you like the classic white picket fence look.
Get the tutorial at Make It & Love It.
DIY Mahogany Window Boxes
Thanks to a rich mahogany stain, these window boxes stand out beautifully against brick and white trim. Wood stain adds not only beauty and character to bare wood, but also protection from the elements.
Get the tutorial at Redhead Can Decorate.
DIY Extra Deep Window Boxes
When building your own window boxes, one thing you’ll need to decide is how big to go. Blogger Julie Blanner likes the oversized look, opting for 12-inch deep flower boxes. Pro tip: Use empty aluminum soda cans or pine cones to fill the bottom of these planter boxes without adding a lot of weight.
Get the tutorial at Julie Blanner.
DIY Twig Window Boxes
Here’s a clever way to create beauty from destruction. Reader Julie Houston made this twig window box using plywood frames and debris gathered in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Get the tutorial at Improvised Life.
DIY Antique Drawer Window Boxes
Add vintage flare to the front of your home with these antique dresser drawer window boxes. Add a sunny pop of color by painting them yellow.
Get the tutorial at Kammy’s Korner.
DIY Standing Pallet Window Boxes
If you love the look of window boxes but are hesitant to drill holes into the front of your home, this is the perfect DIY project for you. These cascading flower pallet planter boxes have four sturdy legs and can be placed in front of empty windows for added style and color.
Get the tutorial at Her Tool Belt.
DIY Rustic Pastel Window Boxes
A wood planter box gets a colorful upgrade with painted pastel wood shims. For a rustic, weathered look, try the dry brush paint technique, leaving some of the wood from the shims exposed.
Get the tutorial at Centsational Style.
DIY Indoor Hanging Window Boxes
Who says window boxes are for outdoors only? Bring the outside in with these hanging flower boxes made from repurposed wood boxes and sisal rope.
Get the tutorial at Grandma’s House DIY.
DIY Shed Window Boxes
These sweet little window boxes are “stupid easy” to make, according to blogger Charlotte Smith. Add a plastic planter insert so you can easily swap out flowers and plants from season to season.
Get the tutorial at Charlotte’s House.
DIY Coastal Window Boxes
Learn how to turn simple PVC planks into dreamy coastal window boxes. This helpful guide also shows you how to create a watering system within the box using PVC pipes and rope.
Get the tutorial at Finding Silver Pennies.
DIY Craftsman-Style Window Boxes
These cedar window planters are easy to build and have a rewarding impact. Apply waterproofing combination stain and sealer to keep them looking lovely all year round.
Get the tutorial at Shades of Blue Interiors.
DIY Wood Shim Window Boxes
Wood shims add texture and character to these walnut-stained window boxes. This tutorial shows you how to build a sturdy wood frame for your window boxes, to ensure a super-secure fit.
Get the tutorial at The Scrap Shoppe.
DIY Flower Pot Window Boxes
These charming window boxes are designed to hold four flower pots, which makes it really easy to water your plants and swap them out for new ones. Each window box should take about an hour to complete.
Get the tutorial at Mom Spark.
DIY Oversized Window Boxes
For a bold look, try these oversized window boxes in bright white. Just remember that once full of plants and soil, a window box can be extremely heavy. These planters are safely secured with five large lag bolts.
Get the tutorial at Construction 2 Style.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
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