Vintage Tool Box Planters
These vintage tool box planters with flowers and herbs are a fun trash to treasure project. Learn how to create your own, plus get inspired by all kinds of plant and flower ideas shared at this year’s Outdoor Extravaganza!
Hello friends! Can you believe it’s time for this year’s OUTDOOR EXTRAVAGANZA? If you haven’t started any outdoor projects, now’s the time! I promise you’ll be inspired to whip your backyard (or any part of your outdoor space) into shape.
I’ve invited some creative blogger friends to join in the fun. Over the next few Wednesdays, we’ll be sharing Plants & Flowers projects, Outdoor Decorating & Entertaining ideas, as well as Build-it & Paint projects.
Then, on May 28th, we invite you to come back for one big OUTDOOR EXTRAVAGANZA link party, where you can share your own outdoor projects!
To kick things off, we’re sharing our PLANTS & FLOWERS projects today…
Vintage Tool Box Planter How-To
For a while now, I’ve had two vintage tool boxes sitting in our garage. I found the first one in front of a garbage and the other was rescued from the back of my cousin’s truck, which was en route to the dump.
Transforming the Tool Boxes
When I brought these old wooden caddies home, I wasn’t sure what to use them for. I mean, that orange paint job was hideous. But, they both were solidly built and deserved a second chance.
So, I did what I usually do with old wood, and pulled out my sand paper, white paint and some rags and brushes. Of course, I gave them a good cleaning first.
The orange caddy got a few coats of indoor/outdoor paint, whereas the wooden one got a watered-down wash that I wiped off with a rag. I covered it just enough to tame down the stain colour.
Aging Terracotta Pots
Then, I aged some terracotta pots with the same watered-down indoor/outdoor white paint. I brushed it on and used a rag to remove a little here and there.
Some areas required two coats. Don’t worry if you mess up. Dampen the rag to remove the excess and apply a little more. Be sure to finish at least the rim part of the inside too.
Assembling the Tool Box Planters
Next, I placed each pot in a section of the larger tool box along with some spanish moss.
To keep the plants from drying out too quickly, I transferred them to peat pots first and then placed them in each terracotta pot. They’ll still likely need a daily watering, but the fiber will help hold in the moisture.
Don’t you love these frizzle sizzle pansies? Adorable, I say.
For the orange caddy, I stencilled HERBS across the front using self-adhesive stencils and charcoal paint I had left over from my printed tea towel project. Then, I lightly sanded the letters to give them a slightly-weathered look.
I like how it serves as a garden tool caddy…
Or, it can simply be a cute little herb planter.
I think these vintage tool boxes are better served here than in a landfill. Agree? Have any other wood tool box ideas?
Of course, you could also build your to use as planters if you can’t find any vintage ones. I also have some other creative and unique planter ideas you may want to check out, including a planter made from a drawer.
More Plants & Flowers Projects
Texas Centerpiece by The Blissful Bee
Whimsical Herb Garden by Craftberry Bush
Front Yard Garden Tour by The Happy Housie
Vintage Tool Box Planters by Satori Design for Living
DIY Patio Planter by Fynes Designs
How to Make a Fairy Garden by Echoes of Laughter
Be sure to come back next Wednesday to check out our Outdoor Decorating & Entertaining projects. As well, mark your calendars for our big OUTDOOR EXTRAVAGANZA link party on May 28th!
One other thing before you head off… If you’re looking for more useful and pretty ideas in your life, make sure you’re on the email list! You can subscribe here.
Thanks for stopping by!
What a fabulous idea, they look like they are from the pottery barn. LOVE them!
Thank you Virginia! Yes, but basically free, which is even better!
It’s a toss up – I like it as BOTH the planter and as the tool caddy! Nicely done Shauna and looking forward to your Outdoor Extravaganza link party for some more fabulous ideas!
Thank you. I hope you’ll be joining the party!
So pretty!! Love these in both forms – the tool caddy and the planter. Nicely done!
Thank you, Tash! It was a fun project.
What amazing finds and I love you how you made them over! They are very Restoration Hardware looking! Such a gorgeous project! I shared this on my Facebook page! Have a great week! Angie xo
Thank you for sharing, Angie. You know I love Resto style, so I’ll take that as a huge compliment!
Such a beautiful planter! I want one on my window sill!
I saw another tool box like it at Value Village yesterday, so keep your eyes open. Such an easy project and so versatile. Thanks for stopping by!
I love what you’ve done and your photographs are stunning!! I can’t believe those tool boxes were destined for the landfill – that would have been tragic!
You and I rescuing items one-by-one at a time lol! Still learning how to take outdoor photographs, so I’m glad you think they turned out good. Enjoy your long weekend!
I love vintage finds – and I love to garden. You just combined two of my passions with these gorgeous tool box planters! Love, love, love!
Couldn’t agree more! There’s something about both of them that speaks to my heart. Thanks for popping by!
How perfect! This series is always a treasure trove of fantastic ideas. Looks like this year isn’t going to disappoint! ;) Love your project… especially the planter, so pretty!!
I’m sure you’ll have some great projects to share at the OE link party. Your outdoor spaces are always so gorgeous and inspiring!
I love the vintage look and how it blends with the surrondings
This tool box is so pretty, Shauna! And painting the pots and adding the moss was the perfect addition!! Thanks for organizing this fun series:)
Those wooden boxes turned out so cute. I plant herbs in the summer… maybe I need a cute planter! Thanks for sharing all the outdoor creativity.
These are so pretty Shauna! The old toolbox is perfect! I’ll have to be in the lookout for something like this at garage sales this summer! Have a great weekend!
This is such a great idea and has a wonderful vintage feel. I always wanted planters like these and now I know my next home project.