Don't Throw Out An Old Filing Cabinet: DIY A Gorgeous Planter

Larger planters and container gardens add charm to your yard and allow you to grow flowers and vegetables even on a patio or small balcony. However, they can be surprisingly expensive, with many costing hundreds of dollars, if not more. Luckily, you may already have everything you need to DIY your own gorgeous planter sitting in the back of your basement. Unused filing cabinets can be turned into garden planters surprisingly easily. And even if you don't have an old one of your own to use, you can likely find a cabinet second-hand for a fraction of the cost of a planter.

Once you've acquired your new old filing cabinet, you'll need to gather your tools. Luckily, this DIY only requires a power drill or another tool for adding holes to the bottom, a palm sander or sandpaper, the rust-resistant outdoor paint of your choice, and a piece of metal or wood to fill in the gap at what was originally the bottom of the cabinet. The most expensive part of the whole project will likely be the potting mix you use to fill your planter at the end. While you could use a single filing cabinet for this project, you could also use two and put them against each other to make an extra-large planter. It just depends on the size of your outdoor space, how many filing cabinets you have, and how much you want to spend on potting mix.

Begin by taking the drawers out of your cabinet. You may be able to find a different project to use these for, but you won't need them for your planter. Then gently sand the entire cabinet so your paint will adhere correctly. Next, you're ready to paint your cabinet. You can use a primer first if necessary. If you're planning to grow food in your planter, make sure to use a food-safe paint or only paint the outside. After your paint has dried, you can either fit in or, if necessary, screw in a piece of wood or metal to what was the bottom of your cabinet but is now the side of your planter. Then use your drill to create drainage holes in what will be the bottom of your planter. Now you're finally ready to move the planter into its position in your yard and fill it with potting mix. 

At this point, you just have to decide what to grow in your new container garden. You can never go wrong following the gardening rule that so many, including Joanna Gaines, live by of combining filler, thriller, and spiller plants. But you can grow almost anything in your new planter. If you're a fan of classics, you could grow geraniums and some of their best companion plants, like nasturtiums or blanket flowers. You could even plant shrubs or small trees like the 'Emerald Green' arborvitae if you use a large enough filing cabinet.