Turn An Old Planter Into The Cutest Living Room Storage Solution

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Sometimes, the inevitable happens. You get a stunning plant, find the perfect planter for it, and then... kill it. If you're a self-proclaimed brown thumb who is wary of trying to keep a plant alive again, don't toss that planter just yet. With a little bit of imagination, you can turn it into a charming storage solution for your living room. And yes, we know it sounds a bit odd, but for real, it works.

The idea here is to use an empty and clean planter to store things in your living room, like newspapers, magazines, remotes, you name it. It's a perfect solution for a more organized living room, and by giving your planter a second life, you'll feel less bad about your poor plant-tending skills.

This DIY clutter-storing solution is perfect for unique and aesthetically pleasing pieces. For example, you can use a vintage planter that's stunning and valuable, or a more modern model that you purchased at your local home decor store or online. This DIY solution works particularly well with legged pots and planters, which helps bring the storage up to a coffee table and couch level. For example, something like Deco 79's metal planter with removable stand is perfect. However, it can work well with basic pots without legs, like Rioneta's metal plant pot. You'll just have to bend a bit lower to grab your magazine or remote.

The first step to turning a planter into living room storage is to clean it well. Depending on whether you had filled the pot with soil mix or if you had kept the plant contained in a nursery pot inside it, it might have varying levels of dirt. In any case, even if it looks clean, you should wash pots and planters thoroughly with water and vinegar. This will kill any bugs, eggs, algae, or fungus that might have made their way into the planter. If there's any tough residue, use a hard-bristle brush to loosen it before rinsing thoroughly with dish soap and water.

When it's squeaky clean, the planter is ready to use. Place it in your living room and fill it with whatever is in need of storage. It's perfect for magazines, which are flexible and can adapt to the curved edges of the pot. It's also a great spot to keep remote controls and gaming controllers out of sight. Another great way to use these is for slippers, leg warmers, and other cozy things you need nearby when watching television or hanging out on the couch. These uses will reduce visual clutter and make your home look more organized. 

Another approach to this is to use the pot as a dedicated spot for snacks and drinks during movie nights. For this, do not place food directly into the pot, but use another bowl inside of it instead, which you can easily wash after use. For example, use a mixing bowl that's the same diameter as the pot and fill it with popcorn. Alternatively, fill that mixing bowl with ice to keep cans of soda cool while watching a show. No matter what, you can always repurpose your pots for something more.