Turn A Few Basic Thrift Finds Into A Unique DIY Planter

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If you meet a gardener, it isn't unusual to find out that person is also a thrifter, and vice versa. The two characteristics often seem to go hand-in-hand, which is why it's such a perfect combination if you can turn a few basic thrift finds into a unique DIY planter. It also fits the personality of a lot of gardeners who might go shopping at a nursery and buy too many plants because they're all so enticing. Before long, there is nowhere to house the bounty of plants, and you have already cleaned out your cupboards in search of common household items you can turn into beautiful planters. It's time to hit the thrift store. A TikTok influencer created her own tall planter using basic thrift store finds: a bundt pan, tall spiral metal candlestick, and an industrial-looking metal top. Because she sourced the key materials at a thrift shop, she could control the height of the final project. Put them all together, give it some paint, and suddenly, you have the perfect DIY planter!

Thrifters might seek out actual planters, but if you want something unique and handmade, the thrift store gives you the opportunity to source items at a low cost. So, if something doesn't work out as you intended or hoped, you can try again without a big hit to your wallet. It also enables you to create something that works perfectly for your space, which can sometimes be difficult to find on an ordinary discount store shelf.

Start by drilling holes in the bundt pan for drainage. Sand off any visible rust or rough spots, and then clean everything so that it's ready for the transformation. You could stack the bundt pan on top of the candlestick, then add your metal piece for a finial, or you could devise your own creation depending on what you find in the thrift shop. You may be able to add a plate above the bundt pan using a dowel rod and rest a smaller planter on it, or leave the DIY as is with just the finial. Once you decide how you want it to look, you can paint everything or even use a stone-look paint like Rust-Oleum Stone Creations spray paint. 

You can stack the pieces, but if you want a little extra security that they won't move under the weight of the soil and plants (and possible curious birds or squirrels who may come to investigate your handiwork), connect them permanently. You can do this with a few drops of water-repellent glue like Loctite Super Glue Easy Squeeze Gel. And by the way, if you find a bunch of those tall candlesticks, get a few extra and glue a thrifted dish to the top to make a little birdbath for pollinators and hummingbirds.

Once you start down the path of making planters from thrifted items, just about anything might start to look like it could be a planter. Instead of a bundt pan, a stainless steel colander makes an excellent planter since it already has drainage holes. You could also skip the candlestick and use it as a hanging planter. If you want to match it to your outdoor look, paint it, but it will need some special treatment first. Liquid deglosser or white vinegar will do the trick to create a surface that will help paint adhere properly. Apply primer when it's thoroughly dry. When the primer is dry, you're ready to paint followed by a sealant. Once it's primed, painted, and sealed, just pop a few coffee filters, a piece of landscape fabric, or one of the other secrets to planting the perfect hanging basket in the bottom of the colander to hold the soil in. Then, you'll be ready to add flowers, herbs, or whatever your gardener's heart hungers for.

When it comes to finding items in thrift stores that you can upcycle into planters, don't stop your search in the kitchen section. If what you really want is a bigger planting area, you might score a traditional office staple and upcycle an old file cabinet into a DIY planter. A metal one that you spray with Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover spray paint (a matte finish is probably best for outdoors so that it isn't too reflective in sunshine, but there are glossy options if you prefer) could give you space for a lot of plants for many years.