Introduction
Farmhouse-style planters are the perfect way to bring charm and personality to your home or garden. With their rustic materials, neutral tones, and vintage-inspired designs, these planters add character while showcasing your favorite greenery. Whether placed on your front porch, hung from a pergola, or displayed in your kitchen, farmhouse-style planters make it easy to infuse your space with natural beauty and timeless style.
I first fell in love with farmhouse planters while sprucing up my back patio. I found a set of galvanized metal buckets at a flea market and repurposed them as planters for lavender and succulents. The contrast between the weathered metal and the lush greenery created a simple yet stunning display. Since then, I’ve added wooden crates filled with herbs, terracotta pots for flowers, and even an old milk can repurposed as a planter. Each piece tells a story and brings warmth to my home.
If you’re ready to add farmhouse charm to your indoor or outdoor spaces, this guide will inspire you with 10 farmhouse-style planters that combine functionality, beauty, and character. Let’s explore the possibilities!
The Perfect Design for You
Farmhouse planters are ideal for anyone who loves the cozy, rustic vibe of farmhouse decor and wants to bring a touch of nature into their home. These planters pair perfectly with all types of greenery, from delicate flowers to hearty herbs and lush indoor plants.
The key to a farmhouse-style planter is its blend of natural materials, vintage details, and timeless design. Imagine a wooden crate overflowing with ivy, a galvanized metal trough filled with wildflowers, or a terracotta pot perched on a weathered stool. Farmhouse planters add charm to every corner, making them a versatile addition to any space.
Picture Gallery
Why These Key Elements Work So Well Together
Farmhouse-style planters succeed because they combine rustic textures with a simple yet elegant aesthetic. Here’s why these elements create such a cohesive look:
- Natural Materials: Wood, metal, and terracotta bring authenticity and warmth to your decor.
- Neutral Tones: Classic farmhouse colors like white, grey, and earth tones ensure the planters complement any greenery.
- Vintage Appeal: Distressed finishes, antique details, and weathered textures evoke a timeless charm.
- Versatile Designs: From tabletop pots to oversized troughs, farmhouse planters work indoors and out.
- Functional Beauty: These planters don’t just hold plants—they enhance the overall decor with their character and style.
10 Farmhouse-Style Planters That Add Character
1. Galvanized Metal Buckets
- Design: Weathered metal buckets with rope handles or metal rings.
- Why It Works: Galvanized metal adds an industrial touch while maintaining the rustic charm of farmhouse decor.
- Styling Tips: Fill with lavender, succulents, or herbs and group them together on a porch or windowsill.
- Bonus Idea: Paint the buckets with chalk paint for a pop of color or label them with stenciled names.
2. Wooden Crate Planters
- Design: Rectangular or square wooden crates with distressed finishes.
- Why It Works: Wooden crates provide a versatile, rustic base for flowers, vegetables, or greenery.
- Styling Tips: Line the crate with burlap and plant colorful blooms or create a small herb garden for your kitchen.
- Bonus Idea: Stack multiple crates for a tiered planter display.
3. Terracotta Pots
- Design: Classic orange or whitewashed terracotta pots in various sizes.
- Why It Works: Terracotta is a timeless choice for farmhouse planters, offering natural warmth and texture.
- Styling Tips: Group different-sized pots together for a layered effect or place a single large pot as a focal point.
- Bonus Idea: Wrap the pots in twine or paint simple patterns for a personal touch.
4. Repurposed Milk Cans
- Design: Vintage metal milk cans with a distressed finish.
- Why It Works: Milk cans add height and a nostalgic farmhouse feel, perfect for porches or entryways.
- Styling Tips: Use them to display tall grasses, ferns, or wildflowers. Add a small wreath around the top for extra charm.
- Bonus Idea: Stencil the milk can with your family name or a favorite quote.
5. Galvanized Trough Planters
- Design: Long, rectangular troughs made of galvanized metal.
- Why It Works: These planters are perfect for large displays of flowers or vegetables, creating a stunning farmhouse centerpiece.
- Styling Tips: Place on a patio table, fill with bright flowers, and surround with fairy lights for a magical look.
- Bonus Idea: Use troughs as centerpieces for outdoor dining or garden parties.
6. Hanging Wire Baskets
- Design: Metal wire baskets with chains or hooks for hanging.
- Why It Works: Hanging baskets save space while adding vertical interest to your outdoor decor.
- Styling Tips: Line the baskets with coco liners and fill with trailing plants like ivy or petunias.
- Bonus Idea: Hang multiple baskets at varying heights for a cascading display.
7. Distressed Ceramic Planters
- Design: Ceramic pots with chipped paint or crackled finishes.
- Why It Works: These planters add a touch of elegance while maintaining the rustic charm of farmhouse style.
- Styling Tips: Choose soft pastel hues or neutral tones and fill with delicate flowers like daisies or pansies.
- Bonus Idea: Group ceramic planters with wood and metal accents for a layered farmhouse vignette.
8. Repurposed Wooden Barrels
- Design: Half-barrels or smaller barrel-style planters with a distressed wood finish.
- Why It Works: Wooden barrels add depth and texture, making them ideal for large plants or flowers.
- Styling Tips: Use as a standalone planter or group several barrels together for a rustic garden display.
- Bonus Idea: Turn a barrel into a tiered fountain for a unique farmhouse garden feature.
9. Upcycled Tin Cans
- Design: Cleaned and painted tin cans with added distressing for a vintage look.
- Why It Works: Tin cans are an affordable, eco-friendly option that adds farmhouse charm with minimal effort.
- Styling Tips: Use as mini herb planters in your kitchen or hang them along a garden fence.
- Bonus Idea: Punch holes in the cans to create lantern-style planters for added lighting.
10. Antique Toolbox Planters
- Design: Old metal or wooden toolboxes repurposed as planters.
- Why It Works: Toolboxes offer a unique and charming way to display greenery while adding a vintage touch.
- Styling Tips: Plant succulents, small flowers, or herbs in the compartments for a quirky, functional display.
- Bonus Idea: Add a handle or wheels for easy mobility around your garden.
How to Style Farmhouse Planters
- Group Varied Textures: Mix materials like wood, metal, and ceramic planters for a balanced and dynamic look.
- Play with Height: Use stools, crates, or tiered stands to add height and dimension to your planter arrangements.
- Incorporate Greenery: Pair farmhouse planters with lush greenery like ferns, ivy, or eucalyptus for a natural and vibrant effect.
- Seasonal Updates: Swap out plants and accents seasonally—add pumpkins in the fall, poinsettias in the winter, or bright blooms in the spring.
- Layer Lighting: Enhance planters with string lights or lanterns for an inviting glow during evening hours.
FAQ Section
1. Can I use farmhouse planters indoors?
- Yes! Farmhouse planters work beautifully indoors. Use them for potted plants, succulents, or even as decorative storage containers.
2. Are galvanized metal planters safe for plants?
- Yes, but be sure to add drainage holes if they don’t already have them to prevent waterlogging.
3. How do I protect wooden planters from water damage?
- Line wooden planters with plastic or a waterproof liner to prevent moisture from seeping into the wood.
4. What plants work best in farmhouse planters?
- Herbs, succulents, trailing vines, and flowers like daisies, lavender, or hydrangeas complement farmhouse-style planters perfectly.
5. Can I create a DIY farmhouse planter?
- Absolutely! Repurpose items like crates, buckets, or even old furniture to create your own unique farmhouse-style planters.
Variations
- Rustic Farmhouse Planters: Focus on weathered wood, galvanized metal, and burlap accents.
- Modern Farmhouse Planters: Use clean lines, neutral colors, and minimalistic designs.
- Coastal Farmhouse Planters: Incorporate whitewashed wood, rope handles, and soft blues.
- Industrial Farmhouse Planters: Pair metal elements with reclaimed wood for an edgier look.
- Boho Farmhouse Planters: Add macramé hangers, colorful pots, and eclectic patterns for a whimsical vibe.
How to Showcase It
- Before-and-After Photos: Highlight the transformation of your outdoor or indoor space with farmhouse planters.
- Seasonal Displays: Share photos of your planters styled for spring blooms, summer herbs, fall foliage, or winter greenery.
- Creative DIYs: Showcase unique repurposed items turned into farmhouse-style planters.
Occasions to Feature It
- Garden Parties: Use farmhouse planters as table centerpieces or decorative accents for an outdoor gathering.
- Seasonal Decorating: Style your planters with holiday-themed accents for festive charm.
- Everyday Elegance: Enjoy the beauty and functionality of farmhouse planters in your daily spaces, indoors or out.
Conclusion
Farmhouse-style planters are more than just vessels for greenery—they’re charming decor pieces that add character and personality to your home or garden. Whether you prefer galvanized buckets, wooden crates, or antique toolboxes, there’s a planter to suit every space and style.
With endless options for materials, designs, and plants, farmhouse planters make it easy to bring natural beauty and rustic charm to any setting. Start exploring the ideas above and create a planter display that reflects your love for all things farmhouse. Your plants—and your home—will thank you!
About the Author
M.Arch. Julio Arco is an architect, interior designer, and urban planner with degrees from ITESM, McGill University, and a certificate in Architecture in Urban Context from LDM. Julio has designed interiors for over 1,200 clients and also teaches architecture at ITESM.
His go-to sites for inspiration include Houzz, Apartment Therapy, HGTV, Architectural Digest, and The Spruce.