Gardener Transforms A Filing Cabinet And Doormat Into An Easy Planter That Looks Expensive

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With the growing popularity of biophilic decor motifs, plants and planters are having a moment. While much of the interest in this trend concerns itself with your home's interior, there's an argument for extending it onto your front porch, where it can amp up your abode's curb appeal. And, as a gardener from Home Talk's YouTube channel demonstrated, it doesn't have to cost much nor do you need to use real plants to create a statement piece. Instead, if you have some unlikely materials — an old metal filing cabinet and an ornate door mat — you've got yourself a planter that truly captures the tranquility and beauty of biophilic design at its best.

This project is a perfect way to repurpose an old filing cabinet. It doesn't matter if the drawers don't work; those get removed straight away. Just as long as the piece remains structurally sound and isn't bent up, you should be good to go. The rubber mat gives the cabinet its decorative appeal, so look for one that's a standout, visually speaking. Something like a Calloway Mills Gatsby Rubber Doormat would be a great option. You'll also need scraps of wood board, cardboard, potting soil, and silk plants to round out the list. On the tools and supplies side, you'll need a tape measure, scissors or a utility knife, and a saw to cut the board. Finally, a durable spray paint like Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Spray Paint makes everything look visually unified, while a construction adhesive holds everything together.

To start, give the cabinet a once-over to rid it of any grime and cobwebs, and then, remove its drawers. Once that's done, measure, mark, and cut the wood board so that it fits the bottom of the cabinet. Then glue it onto the bottom, using something like Gorilla Heavy-Duty Construction Adhesive to ensure it stays in place.

Next, glue the floor mat to the front of the cabinet. Trim it if necessary so that it fits all the way across one of the long sides of the piece. Going with a doormat that boasts a more unusual shape, like a semi-circle, creates additional visual interest for the piece. This is thanks to the juxtaposition of the round border next to the rectangle lines. Or, choose a mat with a greeting on it to welcome your guests. Spray paint the entire cabinet once the glue on the mat dries.

Finally, follow our inspiring gardener's lead by filling the bottom of the cabinet first with cardboard and then with potting soil and your artificial plants. Plants of different heights and textures will give the eye lots of elements to look at. You could also create more height on the planter by inserting a piece like the Goooxim Metal Trellis for Climbing Plants in the back. Then, hang crawling vines on the trellis to draw the eye upward. Finally, place the decorative planter near the entrance to make your front door more inviting with a biophilic design piece that'll spark beauty and happiness.