enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

DIYplantstand

One of the first projects my mom and I talked about when we saw the house on my birthday last month was how I needed something in front of the big picture windows. The windows are gorgeous and even though the backyard needs work, it's pretty and gets great light. I wanted something that didn't take away from the view at all, but still provided a bit more interest than a baseboard.

We decided on a low plant stand that spanned the width of the window. What it would look like and if I would make it or buy it was yet to be decided.

DIYplantstand6

When she came down the next week, we found the unfinished furniture leg section at Lowe's. The mid-century looking peg legs were perfect and about $3 each. The best part was the legs were short – 5.5" tall – so they would get the plant stand off the ground without infringing on the window.

I bought a piece of wood at Lowe's that was 9.25" wide and had it trimmed down to 5.5 feet which was about the length of the window. This past weekend, my dad screwed the legs into the bottom and stained it with Rust-oleum Dark Walnut wood stain.

DIYplantstand5

My plan would have been to stick the legs on the edges, but my dad pointed out that it would bow in the middle from the weight (this is why it's good to have help on DIYs sometimes) and so we stuck the legs towards the middle about 18 inches.

DIYplantstand3

We let it dry for a few hours then brought it inside and I filled it up with plants. I tried a variety of pots and a variety of plants but the best look came from a set of various sized terracotta pots and a mix of succulents, a small fern and a small snake plant.

DIYplantstand7

A few of these succulents I purchased because they were fun and different varieties, but two are just clippings from the backyard that may or may not root, we'll see. (And I will keep you posted on all my succulent re-rooting and propagating experiments.)

DIYplantstand4

The plant stand to the right was a recent craigslist find and the diamond rug is from Target (and currently on sale!). The little wooden plant stand that is on the plant stand for extra height was found at a used furniture store last week. I want to go back and buy more of them! This window area is going to become the best little sitting space, but I have a long way to go to get it right. For the moment, I am cherishing view and the good feeling that comes with having one of my projects off the list.

please note : I know this plant stand and many areas of my house are NOT baby proof. I recognize that this means we'll be doing the re-arrange and re-decorate shuffle when the baby girl becomes mobile. I also know that right now, this plant stand is making me happy and that in nine months I'll be excited for a change and something new that all three of us can love and enjoy. No worries! We'll deal (happily) when we get there. 🙂

Posted in , ,

52 responses to “DIY wooden plant stand.”

  1. Vera Avatar

    Oh yeah. That is such a happy space right there. 🙂

    Like

  2. Marsaille Avatar
    Marsaille

    I was just eyeballing a great plank in my fatherinlaws garage. He might just come home to it gone. LOVE this!
    And don’t worry about baby-proofing too much 🙂 Every child is different. I never had to put locks on my cabinets with my daughter. I emptied one, put in tupperware, ice cube trays, anything stackable and sortable, some small toys and called it hers. I just reinforced that the chemicals were bad for her, make her sick, etc… and redirected her toward her cabinet. Both of my kids never got into what I asked them not to after a short while. I did keep some around for company, or when I knew I couldn’t be as vigilant. I am just so excited for you! I am glad that you seem to be the kind of person who will go with “Mommy instincts” and will do what is right for your family instead of stressing over a plant stand! Who knows? It may just nurture a tiny horticulturist.

    Like

  3. Ffion Avatar

    Looks nice 🙂 We have a big panorama window in our living room and my mum keeps about a bazillion orchids on it ^^ They bloom for ages and are really pretty. They seem to thrive well by our window.

    Like

  4. Lexy Avatar
    Lexy

    Love it! When the baby girls gets on the move, just move it outside to use for outdoor pots in the garden!! Love seeing your new home 🙂

    Like

  5. Jody R. Avatar

    The only baby proofing we did for my niece was outlets and putting padding on the bar corners when she got tall enough she was going to hit them running around the kitchen.

    Like

  6. Ashleig | Love Stoned Avatar

    Love this idea…and those table legs! I’ve definitely never seen those at our Lowes before! Great project 🙂
    xx Ashleigh
    http://www.ashflynn.blogspot.com

    Like

  7. Carla Avatar
    Carla

    Love this! Might have to make one too!

    Like

  8. Ang Avatar
    Ang

    Very cool project. BUT I’m really here to say, I was checking out Becky’s March inspiration post and have you seen how many of the BH Creative Team are using Seafoam? Because it’s awesome!

    Like

  9. Allison Avatar

    Looks awesome Elise! Digging the mid-century vibe. I’m sure the succulents will love the light they’ll get from the window. I’d love to try a similar DIY with a coffee table. Thanks for the inspiration!
    xx Allison
    http://www.thrifted.ca

    Like

  10. Kim Avatar

    perfect! soothing even!

    Like

  11. ashley Avatar
    ashley

    just wanted to give you a thumbs up because your site is so awesome. i can’t believe how much quality content you come up with on a daily basis. props to you, girl. thanks for giving me some ideas for my own life.
    xo
    ashley

    Like

  12. Brittany @ Kitchen::Candid Avatar

    I just adore that plant stand!! When the weather warms up in my neck of the woods I want to plant an indoor herb garden…we’ve got some low windows…this might have to happen!

    Like

  13. krugthethinker Avatar

    I am loving these posts! Elise tames the jungle! That plant stand is awesome, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the house takes shape 🙂

    Like

  14. JillT Avatar
    JillT

    that shelf can go in bgc’s bedroom; it will be a good size for her to set toys on when she is little and just getting mobile

    Like

  15. Alyssa Avatar

    I love this plant stand! Simple, low and really does get great light. Pinned to my gardening inspiration board!

    Like

  16. Norine Avatar

    This looks amazing 🙂 And, probably knowing the questions/advice you’d get, I love that you put the baby-proofing disclaimer at the end of the post. Like a previous poster, I didn’t have to babyproof much with my little guy either. Every kid is different.
    Love your site. love love love it.

    Like

  17. Jen Lara Avatar

    Elise – my daughter, Olive, never required we baby proof the house. She just intuitively knew what to touch and what not to. Our friends used to come over and say, “how does Olive not dig in the plants? Or touch light sockets? Or not unwrap her presents?” as their kids, who were the same age, did all those things. I would say, she hasn’t shown an interest or desire. The same was true about other things, like running in the street. She always just waited on the sidewalk. So, when you meet your sweet baby on the outside, you’ll see what needs to be baby proofed and moved around in your house and what doesn’t. Who knows, she might be an old soul like Olive and “just know.”

    Like

  18. Jessi Avatar

    “Who knows? It may just nurture a tiny horticulturist.”
    I love it!!

    Like

  19. elise blaha Avatar

    this is totally my hope for our little one. my parents said my brother and I never bothered our indoor plants, candles, sockets or anything at all. I know some kids require more proofing than others…we will just see what we get and what we are able to teach. 🙂

    Like

  20. elise blaha Avatar

    haha, thanks!! I would hate to get scolded or too many horror stories. 😉

    Like

  21. Melanie Routhier Avatar

    Oh Elise, I love this! It is so perfectly you! This is the plant stand I’ve been looking for without even realizing it. I will store the idea away for a year or two. And I LOVE your disclaimer. It’s true what other posters are saying… every baby is different. My son unfortunately has always been into everything (he likes to figure things out even at 15 months) so this plant stand would be destroyed pretty quickly. There are things I can train him not to touch and then there are things he will keep at and keep at.
    Hopefully your daughter is a hands off type of baby!

    Like

  22. elise blaha Avatar

    🙂 so glad you like it! And yes… each kid is SO different! Cannot wait to see her personality develop. 🙂

    Like

  23. yours truly, melissa Avatar

    This turned out great! And how perfect in front of your large window!
    Can’t wait to see how your decorate your nursery – we’re having a little girl too so I always enjoy looking at how bloggers plan out their new baby’s rooms.

    Like

  24. Debra Avatar

    Dad’s are brilliant!! I would never have thought about the middle taking too much weight. And for the baby proofing, we just moved things as and when it started to become an issue. You might be blessed with one of those toddlers that doesn’t touch anything.

    Like

  25. Johanna Avatar

    Was just scrolling down to the comment form to write exactly this 😉 Love the disclaimer. Oh the things you have to think of (or probably other people wisely point out to you, haha) when sharing snippets of life on the net! Love it.
    We lived with a loose piece of baseboard and a 0 to 14 month old in our last appartment. It still had nails in it that wouldn’t come out OR stay in the wall. We used duck tape to hold it in place and left it that way when we moved out. It did seem to make it even more interesting for the hands-on-mentality baby, but still did the job – the app. was renovated after we left anyway. End of story. 🙂

    Like

  26. Shelbie Avatar
    Shelbie

    I just have to tell you how much your disclaimer at the end made me smile today. 🙂 As I’m sure you already know, every baby is totally different and you just may get lucky with your little one and she won’t bother your plants at all. Or you may have a little person like my littlest guy who gets into absolutely everything! Kids are so much fun and they are always quite the adventure. I’m so excited to see all of your new adventures. Thanks for sharing your beautiful plant stand by the way. 🙂

    Like

  27. Briana Avatar
    Briana

    I LOVE YOUR BLOG. It makes my day EVERY DAY!

    Like

  28. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    Great inspiration! Love watching what you will do with your house.

    Like

  29. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    Wow, I love how this turned out! Good thinking on your Dad’s part mentioning it bowing in the middle… I wouldn’t have thought of it, even having a desk hutch that has a hint of a bow in the middle due to weight. The terracotta and choice of plants goes so well!

    Like

  30. Erica Avatar
    Erica

    As much as I enjoy your everyday posts, I must admit that the unexpected from you is always my favorite. I love that you immediately addressed the baby proofing issue and put it to rest. In the futured it will be fun to watch and see what the space becomes as your needs change. Keep up the great work. Best.

    Like

  31. katie Avatar

    such a gorgeous plant stand!! i read your blog everyday and i am never disappointed. so many great projects and such honest and refreshing writing 🙂

    Like

  32. Pidgen Avatar
    Pidgen

    “tiny horticulturist” is the sweetest thing i’ve heard in days!!
    those how know you, know that you’d never do anything to harm your baby, but how crazy that some people do dumb things and then make the smart people have to leave “notes” to clarify! lol.

    Like

  33. KateW Avatar
    KateW

    I totally agree with what other people have written here, your blog never fails to make me feel inspired, your writing is so refreshingly honest and practical and every post you write is so thorough and interesting- thank you. This plant stand is beautiful and I’ll hopefully be making something similar when we move in a couple of months.

    Like

  34. Kimberly Kalil Avatar

    I just had to comment … love the plant stand. Totally cool idea. BUT, that’s not why I wanted to comment. I feel bad you even have to post a disclaimer about baby proofing.
    I never “seriously” baby proofed with either one of my children. I know every child is different, but I wanted to make sure I taught my child how to live in any environment they might be in. I worried if I over baby proofed my home, then when we went to Grandma’s house or Auntie’s house they’d terrorize those spaces and hurt themselves. Instead, I taught them what was okay to touch and what wasn’t. They learned very early and I never had an issues or accidents. It has made them respectful of every space they enter.
    I like to give every mother the benefit of the doubt: that she is looking out for what’s best for her child. If that means you changed the stand, great. And if you don’t, also fine. You’re the mama in your house and I’m the mama in mine … so we all get to do (and should do) what works.
    Thank you for sharing your creative talents. You inspire me.

    Like

  35. Amanda Avatar

    This looks great! I have a ledge in front of my bedroom and living room windows – almost a window-seat type thing, and this makes me want to fill it with plants! Here in Beijing we have a great plant market where you can get so many different varieties. The catch is, to get a good price, you have to know how to barter in Chinese 🙂

    Like

  36. Judith Avatar
    Judith

    I love this idea but I have to say my cat is much more likely to get into this than any toddler! She would probably try and sleep in one of the pots once she had dug out the plants 🙂

    Like

  37. Lindsey Soulsby Avatar

    Just gorgeous! That stain makes it look very rustic which I love. As for the succulents I gave my friend one and a leaf fell off, she just put it into the soil and it’s looking better than the rest of the plant!

    Like

  38. Debie Avatar

    That’s very nice, Elise! 😀

    Like

  39. Amanda McGregor Avatar
    Amanda McGregor

    Very cool. I can see a lovely collection of wooden / nature / recycled type toys on there for when but is on the move. Especially toys with mirrors, reflective surfaces, translucent surfaces, that will react with the light. Wooden frame blocks with semi translucent colored plastic in them …. There are some commercially available ones, search online for educational toys …would look awesome!

    Like

  40. Kathy Martin Avatar

    Fantastic! Looks beautiful! You’re so creative! 🙂

    Like

  41. Alinor Avatar

    this is super pretty Elise! Awesome idea

    Like

  42. cinback Avatar

    This is a fantastic plant stand idea! I love everything about it.

    Like

  43. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    I love it. I think the best thing about your DIYs is that they can be done on a budget. I imagine the wood is fairly inexpensive and with a coupon from JoAnn’s the stain could also be had for a low price and cover a few different things.

    Like

  44. bridgi Skor Avatar

    That is so cute! Thank you for sharing. I am loving the springtime in Texas right now and looking into some succulents of my own. Such a cute stand too! Good luck with the house, I am loving the developments you’ve shared thus far!
    Bridgi
    yodgi.com

    Like

  45. Amy Avatar

    I love that the plants look like they’re looking out the window, surveying the scene.

    Like

  46. Chrystina Avatar

    I love how you come into a space and just fill it with these great ideas and pieces. It feels like that’s what was meant to be there. I need to get that kind of inspiration for the place I’m living in now.

    Like

  47. Melissa C Avatar
    Melissa C

    To be perfectly honest, it is a perfect height for a kiddo to sit and play. She will love it 🙂

    Like

  48. Kylie Avatar
    Kylie

    Oh I am loving seeing all you developments in your new home and can’t wait to see more. Love you style 🙂 Enjoy this AMAZING time in your life.

    Like

  49. kristen Avatar

    Have been meaning to say – this plant stand turned out AWESOME!! It looks great, and those are some seriously happy plants 🙂

    Like

Leave a reply to Brianna Cancel reply