How to Build a DIY Tall Modern Planter

Learn how to build this simple and easy DIY tall modern planter box and add your favorite plants to your home with the step-by-step tutorial, plans, and video.

If you have been around this website for the last few years, you know I used to have quite a black thumb. Over the last couple of years, I have been trying really hard to change that. I have been working with simple and hardy plants, and it seems to be working out. I did manage to kill a snake plant, though but I am happy to report that it seems to be growing back up!!

I keep adding new plants every few months… slowly making progress.

Spring is all about plants, so I thought this was a great time to build myself some new planters.

I ended up designing three designs, and because I couldn’t pick one, I went ahead and built all three! They are all simple projects and will take less than 30 minutes to assemble (not counting sanding and staining though).

DIY Modern Planter Box

This first planter box is super simple to build and is going to make the perfect addition to my living room.

As always, I have the full video of the build for you. The step-by-step tutorial follows below.

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How to Build

When you build this project, you have to remember to measure the thickness of the boards. If you are using fence boards, they are usually thinner than 3/4″. You will need to take the difference into account while building the box as well as the stand.

Step 1: Prepare Boards

• Make the cuts per the cut list in the plans. I highly recommend making the cuts only for the box first and building it before making the cuts for the stand so you can make any required adjustments in the dimensions.
• Sand the boards step by step down to 150 or 220 grits. See how to sand wood using the right sandpaper sequence here.

I used cedar fence boards, which are usually extremely rough. You can sand these boards starting with 60 grit. I ran my boards through the planer to get the majority of the roughness out and then sanded with 120 grit.

The 1×10 boards are pretty smooth to start with, so they can be sanded with just 120 and 150 grit and are good to go.

Step 2: Build the Box

• Attach the side and the bottom boards together using wood glue and finish nails. We need two of these. These are then joined using wood glue and can be clamped together to make the bottom of the planter box.
• Attach the other sides of the box using wood glue and finish nails. This makes the lower part of the planter box.

• Attach 2×2 supports on the inside corners using wood glue and finish nails. You can add nails through both sides as well as from the bottom to make sure everything is attached well.

• Attach the top boards to complete the box.

Step 3: Build the Stand

• Make pocket holes in the 1×10 board using 3/4″ setting on the pocket hole jig and drill bit collar. See how to use a pocket hole jig.
• Attach the bottom shelf to the side using pocket hole screws and wood glue.

• Use the box to mark the exact location of the middle shelf which supports the box. Attach the middle shelf at this location using pocket hole screws and wood glue.
• Attach the other side of the stand to complete it. Make sure that the shelf support is well aligned.

This completes the planter box and stand.

The box should fit it pretty snugly. I left my box and stand separate, but you can attach the box to the stand using wood screws through the bottom if you like.

Step 4: Final Finish

• You can stain or paint and seal the box and stand in the colors of your choice. I decided to go with a brown and black combination because I am really digging that look right now.

I used this stain and sealer for the box and black paint for the stand. If you are going to be using it outdoors, I also recommend applying a spar urethane sealer to protect it from the elements.

I plan on using this as a decorative box and keeping the plants in a separate pot, but if you want to plant in the planter directly, you can make drainage holes and staple landscape fabric inside.

This is a really easy project to put together. It looks really simple and minimalistic, but the plants can add a fun pop of color.

Other Modern DIY Planters in the Series:

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