How To Make a Planter Box With Fence Boards
19 September
A great way to make a table centerpiece is with an old box that you can fill with flowers and pumpkins.
It's easy to move when you want to use the table for dining and you can easily tweak it to last from the beginning of fall, all the way through Thanksgiving.
If you don't have just the right box, never fear. I'm going to show you how to make a simple one with old fence boards!
How To Make a Planter Box With Fence Boards
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won't cost you a penny more)! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
I have a stack of old fence boards left over from when I had my fence replaced last year so I picked out a couple of pieces to create my new planter box.
If you don't have fence boards lying around, check with your family, friends, and neighbors. Or, you can use new fence boards!
Supplies Needed
- Fence boards (old or new will work)
- A saw to cut the boards (chop saw, jigsaw, or handsaw)
- A drill
- Wood screws (I like these with a star drive, they even come with the star bit!)
- A sander
- Stencil (optional)
Step One - Cut the boards
Cut two side pieces and two end pieces to the size you want.
You'll need a bottom too but if you are using scrap wood like I am, then I would suggest waiting until you have the box sides completed since old wood is often warped and wonky!
I used my chop saw but you could cut these with a jigsaw, or even a handsaw since this is a rustic box and the cuts don't need to be perfect!
If you want a long, skinny box like mine, measure the width of the boards you want to use for the bottom and the thickness (multiplied by two) of the boards you'll use for the sides. Then cut the end pieces to the same measurement as the width plus the thickness measurements. For example:
Fence board width: 5 inches
Fence board thickness: 1/2 inch (.5)
Multiply the thickness by two: .5 x 2 = 1 inch
Add the width and thickness measurements: 5 + 1 = 6 (cut the end pieces to 6 inches each)
Step Two - Sand
Sand all your pieces to remove any rough areas and reduce your chances of splinters!
Step Three - Build the box
TIP: If you are using old boards like I am, predrill the holes to prevent splitting the wood.
.jpg "assemble the box")
.jpg "Use wood screws to assemble")
You'll now have something like this.
.jpg "building the planter box")
One of my end pieces was a little warped and it cracked when I attached it. That's okay though, it just adds to the rustic look! But if you don't like that look, make sure you choose straight, flat boards.
.jpg "making a box out of scrap fence boards")
Now, cut the bottom piece. I made mine fit inside the box by following the measuring guideline in step One above. If you want the box to be sitting on top of the bottom, then measure the size of the box that you've assembled so far and cut the bottom to that measurement.
Attach the bottom. If you've cut it to fit inside the box, screw it in from the sides. If you've cut it to the outside measurements, turn the box upside down and attach it from the bottom.
.jpg "attach the box bottom")
Step Four - Finish the box
Give it a final sanding to make sure there aren't any rough edges
TIP: If you use this inside on your nice dining table, you can add felt to the bottom to protect your table.
It's finished, wasn't that easy?! You can leave your box rustic and plain like this if you like.
I wanted to give my box a little Morrocan/boho spin. I found the stencil that I used at Michael's but I cannot find it on their site anymore. Any stencil that you like will work.
.jpg "stenciling the box")
.jpg "stenciled DIY fence board planter box")
I am using mine for a fall table centerpiece! Keep reading if you'd like to see how I decorated mine.
First, I filled up the box with plastic shopping bags. You could totally be all professional and use floral foam but I didn't have any and I know I will be taking this apart in a month or two anyway so bags work for me!
.jpg "fill the box with bags to take up space")
Then I laid a brown feather boa I had over the top to hide the bags. You could use moss instead.
.jpg "add a feather boa or other filler")
I filled in with some large fall-colored flowers, cotton bolls, some faux pumpkins, and some other odds and ends I had.
.png "fill with faux flowers")
The pumpkins came in a brown mesh bag like these, so I decided to reuse the bag and make some little "pouf picks" to stick in my arrangement.
Here is how to make some.
- Cut the bag into pieces (my bag was large enough for two).
- Gather all the raw edges up and hold them in your hand.
- Wrap a rubber band around the bottom until secured (you could use string or wire too).
.jpg "making net poufs")
.jpg "fall arrangement with brown net poufs")
.jpg "close up of DIY net floral picks")
.jpg "DIY Planter Box With Fence Boards")
The little brass deer also stayed.
.jpg "brass deer in a fall tablescape arrangement")
.jpg "tutorial to Make a Planter Box With Fence Boards")
.jpg "learn How To Make a Planter Box With Fence Boards")
.jpg "fall planter box tutorial")
.jpg "fall table arrangement with thrifted table runner")
.jpg "rustic fall tablescape")
.jpg "rustic planter box table centerpiece")
.jpg "make your own table centerpiece with old fence boards")
.jpg "how to make a table centerpiece with scrap wood")
If you enjoyed this post, I'd love it if you would share it!
PIN ME!!
Posted by: Tania | Little Vintage Cottage
at 19 September
Tag:
fall
I absolutely love this Tania! Beautiful and perfect for fall. You've got me inspired to dig out the fall decor and get to work!
ReplyDeleteNice box, and I love the stencil. It's so you!
ReplyDeleteI love the box. The stencil really finishes it off!
ReplyDeleteThat is really cute Tania! That stencil just makes it, and you made making that box look so easy. Nice collection of little pumpkins too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Florence! It really was easy!
ReplyDeleteTania
:o) Thanks! It could easily be personalized to any style with a different stencil or even words instead!
ReplyDeleteTania
It's that time!!
ReplyDeleteTania
Looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing at our link party. Pinned!
ReplyDeleteI love this Tania! Fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI am going to build one of these immediately!
ReplyDeleteLove!!! Now to find some weathered wood and make myself one. It is really beautiful and I love the stencil you chose! Perfection!
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephanie!!
ReplyDeleteTania
Thanks JoElle!
ReplyDeleteTania
Yay! Please do share the results, I'd love to see!
ReplyDeleteTania
Thanks Vicky! I bet you could find some old wood lying around somewhere after the hurricane!!
ReplyDeleteTania
that is so cute, tania! love the stencil you used on it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cassie!
ReplyDeleteTania
That stencil really sets this planter apart from the others Tania.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary!
ReplyDeleteTania
LOVE it, Tania! That stencil is gorgeous and the white paint on gray-ish background is just PER-FECT.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diana! I'm really pleased with it too! I just LOVE making things with weathered old wood!
ReplyDeleteTania
Sooo the only question I have is why did you not make an extra box for me? I would have even come out and personally picked it up?
ReplyDeleteHa! I knew you would like it Christine! I've got LOTS of old fence boards... come on over we'll build more!!!
ReplyDeleteTania
Oh boy, that sounds tempting! Now keep in mind I don't know how to build anything that involves tools without potentially killing myself! Is that still ok??? ha
ReplyDeleteLMAO! I'll build, you paint!
ReplyDeleteYou got it!!!!! MUAHHHHH
ReplyDelete