Whether you’d like to emphasize your home’s beautiful windows or simply add color and charm to your home, window boxes are a wonderful way to complement your home’s style. They allow you to bring local nature just one step closer to your home and making window boxes is a perfect weekend project for the crafty homeowner. Learn what’s needed, how to make your window box and what plants you can add below.
Getting Started: Tools and Materials Needed
To create your window box from scratch, you’ll need to gather a few tools as well as the materials needed for the box itself. You likely have most if not all of the tools in your toolbox, but you may need to visit your local home improvement store for the materials.
Tools Needed
- Saw
- Drill
- Measuring tape
- Screwdriver
- Sandpaper
Window Box Materials
- Wood (we recommend cedar or redwood)
- Screws
- Wood glue
- Paint or wood stain (optional)
- Plastic or metal liner
- Gravel or small stones
5 Steps to Make Your Window Box
Once you’ve gathered everything you need and have a decent window of time for your craft project, it’s time to get started.
Step One: Measure and Cut the Wood
Your window box should be custom-fitted to match the window you’ll place it under. This does not have to be an exact match to the length of your window—your box can be wider or narrower. Use your best judgment and decide what looks best with your home and window style.
Once your measurements are made, mark the wood and use your saw to cut the pieces into appropriate sizes. You’ll need two pieces for the front and back, two for the endpieces, and one for the bottom of your box. Be careful and precise when cutting, and use safety tools like goggles and gloves.
Step Two: Assemble the Box
Apply wood glue to the edges of each cut piece where needed. Attach your front, back and endpieces to the bottom of the box. Once in place, use screws to securely fasten each piece to the bottom. Use the order that makes the most sense to you when building your window box, but we’d recommend starting with the front and back pieces and placing the endpieces last.
Step Three: Sand and Finish
Once the glue is dry, it’s time to sand down your window box, removing rough spots. This will keep you from getting splinters whenever you’re tending the plants inside! Use smooth, even motions and be patient, sanding down every part of the box you’re likely to touch. You should sand down the entirety of the external portions of your window box, but if you want to be extra careful, sand down the inside as well.
Once the window box is smooth, feel free to paint or stain the wood according to your personal style preferences. You can always repaint the window box again later if you change exterior elements of your home like your windows or siding. Repainting is simple—that’s the real advantage of do-it-yourself projects.
Step Four: Add Drainage Points
There’s only a few steps remaining before placing your window box, but they’re crucial to ensuring you’ll get years’ worth of use out of your DIY creation. Once you’ve painted or stained, drill a few holes in the bottom of the box. This assists with water draining, so water damage won’t warp the boards from watering your plants or rain. As an additional measure, add a layer of gravel or small stones at the bottom to make water drainage that much easier.
Step Five: Insert a Liner
A liner keeps your potting soil securely inside your window box, so those nutrients won’t seep out through cracks. You can choose a plastic or metal liner, depending on what works best with your box and location—if your window box will receive a lot of rain, we’d opt for a plastic liner over metal for longevity. Make sure it has drainage holes so your work drilling holes into the wood doesn’t go to waste.
From here, your window box is set! Now, let’s examine what you can place in your window box.
All About Planter Window Boxes
You have many options for what to plant in your window box—Illinois’s climate is perfect for nurturing all sorts of plant life. Whether you want an easy plant or something that requires more care is up to you. Let’s get your window box set up.
Choosing Your Plants
Your plant choice or choices will come down to whether your home receives sun or shade wherever you’re placing the window box. From there, you can choose one or more plants that mix together for a beautiful miniature garden, visible right out your own window. Mixing flowers with trailing plants or practical herbs also adds visual interest.
Some sun-loving plants you can mix and match are:
- Lavender
- Marigolds
- Rosemary
- Geraniums
- Petunias
- Thyme
For shaded areas, you can plant:
- Pansies
- Snapdragons
- Parsley
- Lemon balm
- Impatiens
- Hostas
Preparing Soil
Pick a high-quality potting mix for your window box that complements your chosen blooms. Check and make sure it’s ideal for drainage as well—you don’t want soil that has trouble draining, as that can cause problems with your window box over time. You may also wish to mix in slow-release fertilizer when planting to sustain your plants over time, especially if you’re planting from seeds.
Placing Your Plants
Before potting, try to arrange the plants how you’d like to showcase them. This will make it easier when doing the actual planting. You might even want to draw a diagram to help if you’ve got a particular layout in mind. Once you’ve carefully planted your blooms, fill in any gaps with extra potting mix. Your plants should be securely rooted in the window box to hold up to wind.
Watering & Maintaining
Once your window box is in place and filled with plants, water them thoroughly. Each type of plant will have its own ideal watering schedule, so don’t over or underwater. Rather, be consistent. Up your watering cadence during dryer periods—your plants will thank you!
Finally, trim your plants regularly, removing any dead blooms or stems as needed. Not only does this instantly beautify your display, it keeps your plants healthy and thriving, letting you enjoy the view out your window that much longer.
Home Updates You’ll Love—At Affordable Prices
Wish your windows matched up to the beauty of your new window boxes? Time to freshen up your entry door? We’re ready to help, with high-quality exterior home renovations at budget-friendly prices. Get in touch for a free estimate on upgrades that will make your Joliet home the envy of your neighborhood!