15 Easy DIY Modern Planter Box Ideas You Can Build This Weekend
Get inspired with 15 DIY modern planter box ideas featuring clean lines and stylish designs. These beginner-friendly projects are perfect for any space.
If you love the look of sleek outdoor spaces or clean indoor plant corners, you’re probably eyeing a bunch of modern planters.
These simple planters are really on trend right now. And the best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the look.
Why They’re On-Trend right now
- Versatile style: Perfect for urban patios, indoor greenery corners, and polished porches.
- Low visual clutter: Clean lines and muted tones bring plant beauty front and center.
- Practical design: Elevated, self-watering, modular—these planters meet modern living needs.
- Eco-friendly appeal: Natural and reclaimed materials satisfy both aesthetic and environmental tastes
So what makes a planter “modern”?
- Simple geometric shapes – clean lines, boxy silhouettes, and no ornate trim
- Neutral colors – natural wood, black, or a mix of both for high contrast
- Functional features – think hidden storage, raised legs, or self-watering systems
- Minimalist style – no frills, just sleek design that lets the plants shine
This collection of DIY modern planter box ideas includes 15 beginner-friendly projects you can build yourself.
1. Small Modern Planter
Build this small modern planter with cedar fence boards and three power tools. The modern angled legs are painted black to give the planter a modern look. It’s perfect for succulents or herbs and makes a great addition to your porch, patio, or deck.
Plans and tutorial to build it here.
2. Modern Planter Box
Made with 1X6 fence boards, this modern planter box is perfect for adding your favorite flowers or plants to an outdoor space. 2X2s are used for the base and support inside. Add a pot for planting or drill drainage holes and use landscape fabric if you plan to plant directly into the planter.
3. Tall Modern Planter
The third in a set of three, the tall modern planter is a simple design that is beginner-friendly to build with just 3 power tools. Built with cedar fence boards and 1X10s painted black for the frame it has the perfect modern look that looks great indoors or outside.
4. Modern Tabletop Planter
Who doesn’t love a tabletop planter? It can be used as a centerpiece, or use it on an island, or a coffee table. This easy beginner planter can be made in less than an hour with basic tools. It’s perfect for succulents, or you can use it for seasonal decor.
Plans and tutorial to build it here.
5. Self-watering Planter
Grow a garden or plant your favorite flowers with this modern-style self-watering planter. The planter is a simple build, and the self-watering feature is easy to put together even for beginners. The simple lines and the black-stained base give it the modern look that is so popular.
6. DIY Modern Planter with Tapered Legs from Woodshop Diaries
Made with 3/4″ plywood, this planter has a retro modern vibe that looks great on a front porch. Tapered legs and black trim complete the modern look of this planter that you can use for your favorite plant, flowers, or seasonal greenery.
7. Modern Slatwood Planters from DIY Huntress
Wood slatted projects are all the rage in modern minimal design, and this modern planter checks all the boxes. Made entirely of 2X2s and stained with cedar stain it will dress up your outdoor space with modern style.
8. DIY Planter Box With Hidden Hose Storage from By Brittany Goldwyn
This modern planter box with hairpin legs has a secret. It’s not just a planter, it also doubles as garden hose storage! This easy build is great for beginners, and I love a project that does double duty to hide the ugly things we need for outdoor living.
9. DIY Square Planter Box from Making Manzanita
Finding just the right planters for a porch can be a hassle, not to mention pricey. Create this square modern planter with trim to elevate your porch decor using just four boards.
10. Modern Cedar Planter from Uncookie Cutter
Two planters in one, this tiered planter is perfect for a porch, patio, or deck. Plywood, treated lumber, and fence pickets are needed to do this modern planter build that will look great with plants or flowers.
11. DIY Slatted Scrap Wood Planter from The Awesome Orange
Vertical slats give these planters their modern look. You can build these using 2X2s, or if you have enough scrap material, you can make your own slats by ripping them down into 1 1/2″ pieces. It’s a great way to get rid of some of that leftover wood and make an awesome planter to use in your outdoor space.
12. Modern Raised Planter from DIY Huntress
Make a bold statement with this large raised outdoor planter box. It’s perfect for in front of your house when you don’t want to maintain landscaping, or could be used as a privacy screen. Built with 2X4 and 1X4 cedar boards, you can make it using just three power tools.
13. Small Raised Planters from Ana White
I love the simple frame design of these small raised planter boxes. The contrast of the black against the cedar is classic modern design. You add pots to the planter boxes or plant directly by drilling drainage holes and using landscaping fabric.
Plans and tutorial to make them here.
14. How to Build a Large Planter Box from Lindi & Russ
This large planter features clean lines and modern style. It’s easy to build using plywood and 2X4s. Use it on a porch, patio, or deck. It even makes a great privacy screen!
15. DIY Modern Planter from By Brittany Goldwyn
It’s amazing what you can do with plywood and hairpin legs! This DIY modern planter box is easy to build and perfect for use indoors with your favorite plants.
You might also like:
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
