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Using egg cartons to create an affordable, high-end-looking planter may not seem achievable, but the end result is a stunning, unique flower pot. For this project, you'll need a five-gallon bucket, cement, river sand, a bit of wire, a PVC pipe, a metal ring, and, of course, a few egg cartons. While you could use any egg cartons, opting for four 60-count cartons could save you time and space for this particular DIY project. This project also uses river sand for shaping cement. River sand is used because the cement doesn't fully adhere to it, allowing you to scoop out the sand after the cement has hardened, revealing intact cavities. In total, the cost of materials could be less than $50 since cement, sand, and a bucket will be your main expenses.
The entire project was demonstrated by @woodcraftkk on TikTok. By using egg cartons, the creator filled the niches with cement to create rounded studs to decorate the planter. Cement is the main material used for this DIY, resulting in a durable pot that could be used both indoors and outdoors. If you want to save a bit more money, you could use leftover quick-setting cement for this cute and easy DIY planter. One thing to consider, however, is that this planter will become a bit heavy once completed, making it difficult to move.
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How to make a one-of-a-kind planter with egg cartons
Start by pouring cement into the bottoms of the four egg cartons. Next, grab a five-gallon plastic bucket from the hardware store and a large metal ring. The metal ring should measure roughly nine or ten inches in diameter, or at least two inches smaller in diameter than the bucket. Place your bucket on the ground with the metal ring inside. Then, fill the ring with wet river sand. Once full, remove the metal ring. And just like a sand castle at the beach, the river sand cylinder should remain intact. Next, you'll pour cement into the gap between the bucket and the sand until the cement is level with the top of the sand cylinder. Add a layer of cement on top, then place a wire down to reinforce the structure of your pot. You can add an additional layer of cement on top of this before moving on.
Next, place a PVC pipe on top of this cement layer to become the stem of your planter. It can be thick or thin, long or short, but make sure it isn't so thin that it wouldn't support the weight of the pot. Fill the bucket around the pipe with river sand and then remove the pipe. In the cylindrical hole left behind, bend two wires into "L" shapes before placing them into the hole for support. Fill the hole with cement. Then, fill the rest with cement to create a base.
Completing the project
Once your cement has dried, you can remove the egg carton shapes and use hot water to lift the plastic bucket. Dig out and clear away the river sand to reveal the planter. Also, be sure to give it a rinse to clear away any additional sand or debris. Next, use fresh cement to paste your egg carton molds onto the planter to create a bumpy texture. Continue placing the smaller cement pieces in neat rows on your planter and use a knife to scrape away any extra cement paste that is left over. Once done, the planter is ready for potting.
A few minor adjustments to this DIY, affordable planter can make it look high-end. You could use colorful cement to create a planter that isn't gray. Additionally, when creating the egg carton cement pieces, you could make fewer pieces and arrange them in a different pattern rather than covering the entire piece. Also, you do not have to have the thin cylindrical stand in the middle of the planter. If you prefer, you could stop after adding the cement layers over the first wire reinforcements to make a simpler pot. Another thing to consider is potentially adding a drainage hole to the bottom by using a smaller pipe about an inch or two in diameter and filling it with river sand, or drilling holes in the base once the cement is cured.
If you love this project and are looking for additional DIY concrete planter inspiration, consider this edgy concrete planter using five easy-to-find items. And if you're looking for ideas for what to plant in your new planter, you can't go wrong with these 10 plants to grow in containers.
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