How to Build a Custom Flower Box

A flower box adorning the outside of any window, or sitting beautifully on the balustrade brings new life to any home. A unique, homemade flower box adds to that life with a bit of personal zest and inspiration. The color from the flowers attached with the personality of a homemade flower box brings can be enough to home more inviting. The following will help build you personal flower box.

What You Will Need

Wood, 1 inch Finishing Nails, Wood Glue, Hand Saw or Table Saw, Hammer or Nail Gun, Sandpaper or Belt Sander, Primer, Paint, Pencil, Safety Glasses, Ear Plugs

Step 1: Decide that Flower Box Dimensions

This will be based on where you intend to put your box. If the flower box is intended to be on a window, it will typically be the length of the window.

Step 2: Draw the Dimensions

On your wood, mark the dimensions of the flower box with a pencil then label each side respectively. Remember to take into consideration that the thickness of the wood when measuring the longer front, back and bottom pieces. For example, if your flower box needs to be 20 inches long and the thickness of the wood is 1/2 inch, the longer pieces should measure 19 inches. The other inch will be made up with the sides. The length of the sides should be the height of the bottom piece plus the 2 times the thickness of one board (i.e. if the bottom piece is 4 inches tall and the thickness of the wood 1/2 inch, the side pieces will be 5 inches). Bottom, front and back should all be the same dimensions.

Step 3: Cut the Wood to Size

Always use hearing and eye protection when using a table saw. Carefully cut along the lines you have just designated.

Step 4: Attach Front and Back Sides to Bottom

The bottom piece will be between the front and back pieces. With that in mind, lay a bead of glue on a long edge of what will be the bottom portion of the flower box. Take the piece that is intended to be the front of the flower box and firmly abut it flush to the bottom piece forming a 90 degree angle. Then place a single finishing nail at each corner through the front portion into the bottom. Repeat this process for the back portion of the flower box. Don’t forget to clean off any excess glue with a damp rag

Step 5: Attach the Sides

Again, apply a bead of glue to the edges of the front, back and bottom that will be in contact with the sides. Firmly mount the sides and reinforce with a finishing nail in each corner. Clean up any excess glue with a damp rag.

Step 6: Sand the Rough Edges

With sand paper or belt sander, lightly sand down the corners, uneven places and any excess glue that had dried on the surface.

Step 7: Drill the Drainage Holes

To prevent water from pooling in the bottom of the flower box, take your drill and make three holes into the bottom of the flower box , all evenly spaced apart.

Step 8: Prime and Paint

With the box now assembled, use a latex primer over the the entirety of the flower box. Once the primer is dry you can paint it to match the part of the house you plan on placing it.

Tip: To prevent losing potting soil through the drainage holes, try placing some fabric mesh at the bottom of your flower box.