How to Make an Enchanting Chair Planter an Easy DIY

Written byStephanie Hofer Updated

Learn how to make a chair planter with this easy, budget-friendly DIY! Repurpose an old chair into a charming garden accent.

My mom’s been on a mission this summer to add cozy cottage charm to her flower garden and patio, and she’s been on the lookout for budget-friendly ways to do it.

During a neighborhood yard sale, she scored big—four old, mismatched farmhouse chairs for just $5!

Naturally, we saw the potential right away.

The plan?

Vintage ladderback chair before the makeover in the garden.

Turn one of those perfectly chippy chairs into a simple yet enchanting garden planter.

This quick and easy DIY came together in no time and added so much character to her garden.

Scroll on down for our tips on how to create your own charming chair planter!

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DIY Chair Planter Supplies

To make your own charming chair planter, you’ll only need a few simple supplies.

We started by preserving the beautiful, chippy paint on our vintage chair using a clear matte spray sealer—this helps lock in the character while protecting the wood from outdoor weather.

Since our chair was a little wobbly, we used wood glue, a rubber mallet, and some straps to hold the frame together while the glue dried and made it sturdy enough to support the planter.

For the planter portion, we used a thrifted wire basket that fit nicely into the seat opening, secured it with zip ties, and lined it with a coir liner.

All that was left was to add potting soil and our favorite flowers to bring this sweet little garden accent to life!

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Remove Chair Seat

The first step in creating a chair planter is to remove the seat—and let’s just say, it turned out to be trickier than we expected.

We started with a drill fitted with a straight bit and were able to remove a couple of the screws without much trouble.

But the rest?

Woman's removes the screws from the seat of a vintage ladderback chair.

They were so old and rusted that the grooves had completely worn away, making them impossible to unscrew.

So, we rolled up our sleeves and used a little elbow grease to pull the seat off by hand.

Once the wood was out, we used pliers to twist out the stubborn screws still stuck in the frame.

Not the easiest part of the project, but definitely worth the effort!

Seal the Chippy Finish

To preserve the character of the old chippy paint while preventing any further flaking, we gave the entire chair a good coat of clear matte spray sealer.

This step is key to locking in that beautiful vintage finish while also helping to protect the wood frame from the elements.

Woman applies an outdoor sealer to a vintage ladderback chair.

We love that it kept all the charm without adding any unwanted shine.

Plus, the sealer dries in just about 20 minutes, so we didn’t have to wait long before moving on to the fun part—turning our chair into a planter!

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Sturdy Up the Chair Frame

Before turning your chair into a planter, it’s important to make sure the frame is sturdy enough to handle outdoor conditions.

Start by checking for wobbly joints or loose cross bars—on our chair, nearly half of the cross bars had come loose over time.

We carefully pulled out each loose piece and kept them sorted by the location they came from.

Woman removes loose chair rails.

Then we filled the holes with wood glue, and used a rubber mallet to tap everything back into place, ensuring a snug fit.

Once the chair was reassembled, we wrapped it with two ratcheting straps to hold everything tightly together and let the glue cure overnight.

Woman applies wood glue to chair leg to repair the rails.
Woman repairs vintage chair gluing and securing the chair rails.
Woman removes excess glue after repairing the vintage chair.

While it might look a little intimidating, this step is actually pretty simple with two sets of hands it only took about 15 minutes to complete.

The result is a solid, weather-ready frame that’s perfect for your new planter!

Attach the Wire Basket

Next, it’s time to attach the wire basket that will hold your plants.

Start by choosing a basket that fits nicely within the seat opening of your chair.

We got lucky and found a set of three wire baskets while out thrifting—and it happens to be the perfect size for our chair frame (12″).

The other two baskets we used to create some fun garden lighting!

To secure the basket, we used four zip ties—one on each of the top cross bars of the chair frame.

Woman attached a wire basket to the chair with black zip ties.

It was a quick and easy process, but be sure to check that your basket is level and securely attached so it can safely support the weight of the soil and plants.

Lastly, line the basket with a coir liner to help contain the soil and support healthy drainage for your plants.

a coir liner is placed in the repaired chair planter.

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Add Plants

Now for the fun part—adding plants!

Start by filling the lined basket with potting soil, then add your favorite flowers, herbs, or trailing plants.

Plants are added to the chair planter.

For a bold statement, consider using colorful blooms like petunias, geraniums, or calibrachoa that spill over the edges for a lush, cascading effect.

If you prefer something low-maintenance, a mix of succulents can create a beautiful and drought-tolerant chair planter.

Choose plants that suit your climate and sun exposure, and don’t be afraid to get creative with your combinations!

Enjoy Your Chair Planter in the Garden

Now that your chair planter is complete, it’s time to find the perfect spot for it to shine!

Place it in your flower garden, on the patio, or by the front porch—anywhere that could use a little extra charm.

DIY chair planter nestled in the garden amount the flowers.

This simple DIY makes a beautiful focal point in cottage-style gardens and adds personality to even the smallest outdoor spaces.

DIY chair planter nestled in the garden amount the flowers.

No matter where you display it, your repurposed chair planter is sure to bring instant character and a whimsical touch to your garden!

DIY chair planter nestled in the garden amount the flowers.

Shop Chair Planters

More Ideas for Your Backyard

This easy DIY chair planter is such a rewarding project that adds instant charm without breaking the bank.

It’s amazing how a simple, repurposed chair can become a unique garden centerpiece with just a few supplies and a little effort.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just looking for a fun weekend project, this planter is a perfect way to personalize your outdoor space and showcase your creativity.

Plus, knowing it only cost us $6 makes it even sweeter!

Here’s the breakdown of what we spent:

  • $1.25 chair
  • $2.98 coir liner
  • $2.00 wire basket

All of the other items used we had on hand.

We can’t wait to see how this little chair planter inspires your own garden makeover.

Please share a photo of your garden chair creation and tag us on Instagram.

Did you find some inspiration for your garden today?

Please share your tips and ideas with us.

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PInterest image, vintage chair transformed into a garden chair planter.

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Stephanie Hofer

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What New . . .

I’m a DIY enthusiast at heart—after all it’s in my DNA, thanks to my parents and grandparents who are avid DIYers. I’m also a devoted wife and mother of three amazing kids who keep me on my toes. My DIY journey began after my husband, Dan and I bought our first home. With high-end taste and a tight budget, I was determined to transform our builder-grade space with creativity and minimal cost. There’s nothing more satisfying than taking something unwanted and making it into a cherished piece, whether I’m restoring a vintage dresser or upcycling everyday finds.

I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned along the way and helping others create beautiful spaces without breaking the bank! When I’m not hunting for new DIY projects, I love spending time outdoors with my family, hiking, snowshoeing, and traveling.

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