Instructions on Making a Chair Planter

Repurpose old chairs into whimsical planters.

When an old chair seat finally gives way, don't toss it. With a few household supplies, that old chair can become an original and whimsical planter. Grow herbs, colorful flowers and even vining plants in your chair planter. The back of the chair can act as a trellis. These vintage-style planters make complementary accents to porch landscapes, backyards and even unused kitchen corners. Wooden chairs with worn-through rattan seats work best.

Things You'll Need

• Old chair
• Sandpaper
• Soft cloth
• Paint
• Varnish
• Chicken wire
• Wire nips
• Staple gun
• Burlap sacking
• Sphagnum moss
• Rich potting soil
• Seedlings: herbs, flowers
• Water

Instructions

1. Remove any remaining seat weaving from your chair and discard it. Sand the entire chair to remove burrs and splinters. Don't worry about scuffing the paint or stain. The more distressed the chair, the more vintage the look.

2. Wipe the chair down with a soft cloth to remove the sawdust. If you want a more finished look, you may paint the chair the color of your choice. If not, simply varnish the chair to protect it from the elements. Allow the paint or varnish to dry overnight.

3. Cut a piece of chicken wire about 2 inches larger than the hole in your chair's seat. Flip the chair upside-down and staple the chicken wire to the bottom of the seat area. The planter will be somewhat shallow unless the seat is very thick, but small plants should still thrive. You may also use a piece of chicken wire up to 6 inches larger than the seat on all sides. It will hang down in a bowl-shape and you can plant larger plants.

4. Turn the chair upright and spread some burlap sacking over the chicken wire, followed by a thin layer of sphagnum moss. Fill the seat the rest of the way with rich potting soil.

5. Dig a shallow hole for each seedling, gently covering the roots of each plant. Plant them about 4 inches apart, placing taller plants toward the chair back. Water the plants with about a cup of water per plant.

Tips & Warnings

• If your seat is 1 inch or shallower, place a previously planted terra-cotta planter on top of the chicken wire instead of planting in the chair itself. You may also cluster several small pots on top of the wire.

• Create an entire "tea party" garden by planting four chairs. Place them around a table planted in the center. Set the table with planted teacups on saucer flood trays and a teapot filled with water for the plants.

References

• Thrifty Fun: Recycled Chair Planters
• Exploring Womanhood: Make a Pretty Chair Planter
• The T-Cozy: A Chair of Flowers