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You are here: Home / DIY / DIY Flower Boxes – Power Tool Challenge

DIY Flower Boxes – Power Tool Challenge

October 27, 2016 By Karen Cooper 20 Comments

I’m so excited to reveal my first Power Tool Challenge project! The Power Tool Challenge is a monthly challenge in which a group of bloggers builds something with power tools; the theme changes each month. This month, the project had to cost less than $10. Challenge accepted: DIY flower boxes for under $10!

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

I have always loved these kinds of window boxes. They give such character to a home or building.

These DIY flower boxes are a great beginning builder project. Here’s how to make them:

Materials:

FYI: this post contains affiliate links. Please click here for my full disclosure policy.

1 or 2 6-foot cedar fence posts – $2.65 each. I used two per flower box, because I made the flower boxes the width of the bottom on the window, which was 23 1/4 inches. Obviously, if you make smaller ones, you could use less wood and get away with using one fence post.

(Note: If you don’t like cedar, you could make these using any kind of wood. I like cedar because I love the smell and the patina it gets as it ages outdoors.)

Miter saw – I use this RYOBI miter saw and love, love, love it!

Tape measure

Pencil

Wood glue

Stapler – I use this RYOBI ONE+ 18-volt crown stapler with one-inch staples

2-inch deck screws

Drill – my favorite tool is this drill

Liner for flower box – I used a coco natural liner, but you could use a plastic one or simply staple part of a trash bag inside the box. If the coco liner is too tall for the flower box, trim it with sharp scissors.

Potting soil

Plants

Instructions:

(1) Measure and cut the wood.

First, decide how big you want your flower boxes to be. For me, I wanted the flower boxes to be the same width as the glass in the windows.

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

The dreaded “before” pic. Doors need painting and the shed has zero personality.

That measurement was 23 1/4 inches. So, I was going to build a box with a front and back at 23 1/4 inches long. For the sides, I kind of eyeballed how wide I wanted the flower boxes to be, and settled on 6 inches. So, I cut two pieces at 23 1/4 inches and two pieces at 6 inches.

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

Note: the fence board was less than 6 inches wide (5 1/2 inches, to be exact), so 6-inch sides means that the bottom piece won’t fully cover the bottom of the flower box. There will be a small gap between the bottom and the back of the flower box. That’s fine with me, though, because it allows for drainage and it ended up as less than a half-inch wide gap. I wouldn’t have a gap bigger than that, though.

To calculate the measurement of the bottom piece, take the length of the front or back piece (here, 23 1/4 inches) and subtract twice the width of the fence post (5/8 inch), to account for the sides of the box. Make sense? It should eventually look like this:

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

So, to calculate the length of the bottom piece: 23 1/4 – (2 x 5/8) = 22 inches. That’s how long to cut the bottom piece.

(2) Assemble the flower box.

To assemble the flower box, first, glue one of the sides to the front piece. Then staple the pieces together, along the edge, with the crown stapler to secure in place. I used two staples per side. Do the same for the other side piece. Then, glue and staple the bottom piece to the side pieces.

I know it seems odd to attach the bottom piece before the back, but – trust me – it is much easier to do it this way.

After you have the three sides and bottom all glued and stapled, add the back with glue first, then staples, too. You should end up with a box that looks like this:

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

(3) Attach it to the window trim.

Once the glue is dry, time to attach the flower box to the window trim. I did this using my drill and three 2-inch deck screws.

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

I like using the deck screws because they go through the wood easily and they will stand up to the weather. (Hey – they’re made for decks!)

(4) Line the flower box and add plants.

Once the flower box is securely attached to the trim, add a liner that will allow for drainage. Then add potting soil and plants!

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

I used mums and purple aster for a fall feel.

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

I love how it gives some much needed “curb” appeal (in my yard!) to my shed! Just for comparison, here’s the before – even before the new siding was added:

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

For the post where I talk about the shed renovation, please click on the photo…

Then after siding, but before window boxes:

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

And now:

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

Big difference, right?!?

Want to see the finished shed? Please click HERE for the big reveal!

But, in the meantime, show me what you built! [Entries are closed]

I can’t wait to see what you built for under $10! Don’t forget that the Power Tool Challenge Team will vote on the best project and one winner will be selected! The winner will receive the RYOBI ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit with Miter Saw six-tool package!! How awesome is that?!?

For complete rules, please see this post.

The winner of the Power Tool Challenge Reader Contest is: # 25 Scrap Wood headboard by Shawna Salter Harrington!!

After you link up your project, head on over to the other Power Tool Challenge bloggers’ sites and check out their projects!

Double Pedestal Scrap Wood Table by My Repurposed Life

Hexagon and Triangle Shelves by My Love 2 Create

Blanket Ladder by Domestically Speaking

DIY Wood Centerpiece Box by Virginia Sweet Pea

Easy DIY Shelves by Create and Babble

Vintage Peg Blanket Ladder by H2OBungalow

Computer Monitor Stand by Interior Frugalista

Wood Slice Plant Stand by Designed Decor

DIY Video Game Organization Station Holder by Kim Six Fix

Power Tool Challenge Team $10 and Under Power Tool DIY Projects - thediybungalow.com

Pin for later!

DIY Flower Boxes - Power Tool Challenge - thediybungalow.com

You might also like:

  • Power Tool Challenge AnnouncementPower Tool Challenge Announcement
  • Workshop and Storage ShedWorkshop and Storage Shed
  • Your Yard Is Your Canvas: Adding Color to Your YardYour Yard Is Your Canvas: Adding Color to Your Yard

Filed Under: DIY, Gardening 20 Comments

About Karen Cooper

Hi! I'm Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer” - I traded in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY adventures. Join me for DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organizing projects and tips as I transform a 1929 Tudor bungalow into our home. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.

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Comments

  1. Mindi says

    October 27, 2016 at 9:26 am

    Karen these were the perfect finishing touch to your shed! I have always wanted window flower boxes too, this just reaffirms that desire…great job!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      October 27, 2016 at 9:27 am

      Thank you, Mindi!!

      Reply
  2. gail says

    October 27, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Karen,

    awww, your shed looks beautiful! I love the addition of the flower boxes to the windows. I want a new shed. 🙂

    super job!

    gail

    ps pinning!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      October 27, 2016 at 9:27 am

      Thank you, Gail! This shed has been a labor of love, for sure, and I’m glad it’s almost finished!!

      Reply
  3. Jeanie says

    October 27, 2016 at 9:30 am

    I love window boxes! Your shed looks so pretty now – what a difference!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      October 27, 2016 at 9:56 am

      Thank you! I love how it looks like a little cottage – my own space to create.

      Reply
  4. Marie from The Interior Frugalista says

    October 27, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Hey Karen, welcome to the group! I love the charm your window boxes added to your cute shed. Even better, can’t beat that price! Pinning and sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      October 27, 2016 at 9:56 am

      Thank you, Marie! This is right up my alley – I love building and creating, especially on a budget! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  5. Paula says

    October 27, 2016 at 11:35 am

    Your window boxes add so much curb appeal to your shed and you are going to have so much fun changing out the plantings with the season. I wish my shed had windows so that I could add window boxes to it.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      October 27, 2016 at 3:46 pm

      Thanks, Paula! Even Dear Husband said that it looks like a little cottage now, rather than a shed! I love it.

      Reply
  6. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says

    October 27, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    So cute!!! I always love flower boxes… yours turned out adorably!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      October 27, 2016 at 3:46 pm

      Thank you, Maryann! I have always loved them, too!

      Reply
  7. DeDe Designed Decor says

    October 27, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Karen, your shed looks so much better. I added flower boxes to my shed this year too, it makes such a big difference. I like the idea of using a smaller bottom for drainage! Glad to have you join us!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      October 28, 2016 at 7:47 am

      Thank you, DeDe! I love how the shed and flower boxes turned out! I’m so happy to be part of the Power Tool Challenge Team, and this was a fun first project!!

      Reply
  8. Robin @ Redo It Yourself Inspirations says

    November 4, 2016 at 7:18 am

    LOVE window boxes. They dress up the outdoors like drapes indoors. Your shed looks fantastic and the boxes are perfect for it.

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      November 4, 2016 at 3:00 pm

      Thank you, Robin! I love that analogy – so true!! Thank you!!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer,” because I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. This blog is all about DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organization. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.




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About Karen

A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home. Read More…

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