Last year we featured a quick how-to idea on turning a filing cabinet into a planter. Although many readers were on the fence about the idea, I wasn't the only one who thought they were the bee's knees. The filing cabinets pictured above were made two years ago and are still going strong.
The family at Boopy Projects has added some wheels and a coat of color, and their front porch show stoppers have been going strong for two solid years. The key to longevity is good drainage in the form of holes, rocks, or other store bought products intended for such uses. If you're nervous about rust, you can always seal them or take them to be powder coated.
I'm sticking to my guns and calling this idea awesome, inexpensive and totally doable for those looking to make a chic space on a not so chic budget. Make sure to check out how to make your own at the links below.
Read More: DIY Filing Cabinet Planters from Boopy Projects
MORE FILING CABINET PLANTERS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Turn a Filing Cabinet Into a Modern Metal Planter
(Images: Boopy Projects)
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Big *new* filing cabinets are not cheap. Especially four-drawer office cabinets. To beat the price of making planters out of wood from Home Depot, you would have to get some used cabinets and repaint. That is a great upcycle!
Yeah, filing cabinets can be expensive.
My husband just told me he has a dozen of these that I can have! This is an awesome idea!
you can get filing cabinets for free on craigslist and freecycle ALL THE TIME. No need to buy new!
How do these work in a hot, dry climate? If they were in the sun during the summer, would they get hot enough to endanger the plants?
The point is to not buy a "new" filing cabinet. There are plenty for free or cheap out there as @WOLFANDFINCH stated.
We wanted to make one of these, but I ended up using the filing cabinet to store all my fabrics and materials in my art space. :)
If I had some acreage I would make a maze of these!
Great article!
Could you tell me the name of the plant of the main photo (yellow cabinet)
Thanks a lot!
@LABOTA looks like Purple Indian grass to me, or purple fountain grass