Build a Beautiful Pallet Flower Planter + Blog Updates

Vertical pallet garden full of colorful flowers.

A Quiet Comeback + A Favorite DIY Revisited

There’s something comforting about returning to familiar places. Especially the creative kind and I’ve missed this space. After a little time away from blogging, I’m finding my rhythm again and thought I’d start by dusting off a simple, cheerful project from the archives: a DIY pallet flower planter. It’s a reminder that sometimes beauty blooms best when we revisit what we’ve already begun.

Materials I Used for a DIY Pallet Flower Planter

  • 1 kiln-dried pallet (in good condition)
  • Scrap wood. Here’s what I grabbed: (1) 1×4 board, (2) 2×4 boards, (1) 4×4 block
  • Exterior nails or wood screws
  • Wood stain (optional, for color and finish)
  • Clear protective topcoat (weather-resistant)
  • Heavy-duty staples or staple gun
  • Fabric weed barrier or landscape fabric
  • Potting soil (suitable for flowers)
  • Seasonal flowers of your choice
flower pallet garden

How to Make a DIY Pallet Flower Planter

Step 1: Choose and Prep Your Pallet
We had plenty of pallets on hand and selected a kiln-dried pallet marked “HT” (heat-treated), which indicates it’s safer for garden use compared to chemically treated wood. We gave it a thorough scrub with bleach and water to clean off any dirt or residue (important if you’re planting anything edible or placing it near your home).

Step 2: Remove Boards to Create Planting Space
Using a pry bar, we carefully removed three of the horizontal boards from one side of the pallet. This helped open up the structure, creating more vertical room for taller flowers to grow freely.

Step 3: Sand and Prep the Wood
Next, we sanded down all rough edges and splinters using medium-grit sandpaper. I also hammered in any protruding nails to ensure the surface was smooth and safe to work with, especially important for a garden piece that’s often handled.

Step 4: Add Stability and Feet
To give the pallet a flat base, we attached scrap 1×4 boards to the bottom edges of each side, creating a shelf-like structure. This gave us a place to attach “feet” made from more scrap wood. We experimented with adding a caster to one side for mobility, but when that didn’t work as well as we hoped, we opted to secure the pallet to the side of our patio swing instead. You could also anchor yours to a deck railing or set it securely into the ground.

pallet garden tutorial

Step 5: Stain and Seal the Wood
I stained the pallet using Rust-Oleum Wood Stain in Kona, applying it with a brush and wiping away the excess. Although the stain dries in about an hour, I let mine cure for a few days before sealing it. Once dry, I gave the entire pallet a quick coat of clear protective spray to help it stand up to the elements.

rust-oleum stain and pallet

Step 6: Cut Fabric for Planting Pockets
To create planting pockets, I used newspaper and junk mail to make a simple pattern. Be sure to account for folding the edges under and covering the sides of each pocket. Once the pattern was dialed in, I used it to cut my fabric weed barrier to size.

weed barrier planter pockets on pallet garden

Step 7: Staple the Fabric Weed Barrier
I folded under the raw fabric edges for a cleaner look and then stapled the fabric in place between the pallet boards, forming deep planting pockets. The corners were a little tricky—I used a trial-and-error folding technique and may have gotten a bit staple-happy. My final setup created 12 planting pockets in total.

Step 8: Set Up Your Planter
Once everything was secure, I moved the pallet into its final position. You can lean it, secure it to a railing, or anchor it in the ground depending on your space and preference.

DIY flower pallet garden tutorial

Step 9: Fill and Plant
Time to get planting! Fill each pocket with quality potting soil and your favorite flowers or herbs. The fabric allows for natural drainage, helping prevent overwatering.

watering flowers in vertical pallet garden

Finished and Flourishing

Ready to bloom! I love how this project gives new life to old materials and brings a pop of color to any outdoor space. If you give it a try, I’d love to see how yours turns out! Tag me on social media @DIYShowOff or leave a comment below!

vertical pallet flower garden

Let’s Show Off Your Creativity!

Have a DIY project you’re proud of? Whether it’s a craft, home improvement idea, seasonal decor, or something uniquely creative, I’d love to feature it here on the blog or on social media! Sharing inspiring ideas is what this space is all about and your creativity could spark someone else’s next project. Fill out the form below to submit your tutorial, photos, or story. Let’s inspire each other!

DIY Halloween Floral Skeleton

DIY Halloween Floral Skeleton tutorial

I am so in love this decadent and decay theme for adding a touch of Halloween class to the front porch! It’s a skeleton with beauty and style and solar fairy lights!

What I gathered:

Supplies:

  • artificial fall florals
  • 36″ skeleton
  • clip on butterflies
  • hot glue
  • solar fairy lights

Tools: hot glue gun, wire cutters

What I did:

Using wire cutters, I separated some of the florals and removed stems if needed. Then simply secured fall floral pieces and arrangements and accents onto my skeleton using hot glue. A flower crown, some florals over the rib cage and a few tucked within, a wrist and ankle corsage. I added a few butterflies too.

Once that was complete and all of my florals were securely in place, I started at the bottom of one leg and worked my way up the skeleton (there is a LOT of wire so be generous with wrapping and even going back over an area) then back down to the other leg with the string of solar fairy lights.

I used a shepherd’s hook to display in a planter where I could also easily tuck in the solar panel.

Decadence and decay!

Do you decorate for Halloween? Spooky? Creepy? Fun and cute?

Source List:

JoAnn Fabrics: florals and skeleton (after the fact, I also saw the same size skeleton at Family Dollar)

Amazon (affiliate links) ~ make your own kit with everything you need:

Easy DIY halloween floral skeleton decor tutorial

DIY Decorative Juju Hat Inspired Wall Decor Tutorial

African/Cameroon Juju hats have been around as home decor for a few years. They’re so beautiful, artisanal/handmade (symbolize prosperity, worn by ceremonial dancers). DIY decorative Juju hat inspired tutorial:

DIYShowOff Juju hat wall decor tutorial

juju hat wall decor diy

When a friend of mine had to part ways with her African Juju hat wall decor (you don’t want to know), she was in the market for a replacement. It’s been a while since I’ve been crafty and what better time than the new year for a fresh start?! Perfect timing. A perfect opportunity to focus on the positive and to send some good juju to a friend. 

What’s your first DIY project of the new year? Looking for and easy, fun and “GOOD” DIY to jumpstart 2022? This is the perfect little project for you to try! I felt empowered and inspired so I opened up my Amazon app and ordered these supplies: 

diy materials for juju hat wall decor

Materials I used (referral links):

cardboard circle (could easily make one from recycled cardboard too, especially if you’ve been procrastinating the holiday clean up!)

• feather trim ( purchased 2 of this feather trim and 1 of this feather fringe trim)

• aluminum pop top (removed from can) to hang (could also use string or hang with push pins)

Tools:

hot glue gun/sticks, scissors

What I did:

I found the center of my cardboard circle. From there, I drew a straight line to the outer edge. 

tape measure

Using scissors, I cut along the line. 

scissors

Next, using hot glue along one side of the cut, I glued the other side slightly on top to create a little bit of a ‘bowl’-shape. It’s very slight…just enough to give it a 3D look.

Gorilla Glue gun cardboard circle

Then, protect your fingers ‘cuz that hot glue is HOT! Be careful! (I used a capped pen to hold down the ribbon as needed.) Determine placement and start attaching the bottom of the feather trip to the cardboard circle. I worked my way around the outer edge. 

hot glue feather trim feather crafts feather circle

Repeat in circles for complete coverage. Based on your supplies, determine how close together to cover the cardboard. I alternated the 2 different feather trims. 

gluing feather trim feather ribbon juju hat craft project making a juju hat decoration gray feathers placing feathers circle of feathers juju hat inspired wall decor circle of gray feather trim cutting feather trim hot gluing feathers diy juju hat wall decor making a juju hat DIY juju hat tutorial easy diy feather project juju hat DIY

For the center, add a coordinating or same color silk flower. Or, like me, take a bit of leftover trim and roll to create a “center” piece. Attach with hot glue. 

glue gun and feather trim feather trim craft flower feather boa craft craft project with feathers

Fill in with individual feathers as needed.

scissors and gray feathers gray feather and glue gun gray feather craft idea

Attach hanging mechanism of choice to the back with hot glue. 

hanging wall decor with a pop top

Easy peasy! Much lighter and not as detailed or heavy as the real thing but beautiful none-the-less and special because you made it yourself!

The result:

diy juju hat wall art diy gray juju hat wall art

Texture! Softness. Beauty!

poofy feather wall art sitting room wall art diy DIYShowOff Juju hat wall decor tutorialgray juju hat wall decor diy gray feather juju hat decor

I’m hooked and plan to create several more! More feather trim as been ordered! I need a fluffier one! A feather boa would work as well (although a little messier)! Maybe some rattan coasters for the center or a coordinating silk peony would be beautiful too. I’ll come back and post more pictures. Interested in adding yours to the feature? Submit your juju hat photo to thediyshowoff at gmail. 

How about you? Ready to get crafty, creative and inspired in 2022?

 

Project Diary #19 Bathroom Before & After Makeover Reveal

The bathroom before and after is the biggest transformation of the #helloredreno series. A lot of hard work, sweat, (thanks, Steve!), tears and love went into this space. Ready for the bathroom before and after makeover reveal? Check it out! 

The before: A caving ceiling was the first project to receive some attention. There were paneled walls, boxed in pedestal sink and clawfoot tub (didn’t know that until we started the demo), blue industrial carpeting…the best plan of action was to gut it. 

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

After:airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme

The floor – nothing is square or level but I insisted on installing tile. So, the floor was completely removed and a new level subfloor installed. You can see more about the gorgeous Shaw Floors tile I chose and installation here –> Bathroom Flooring

And the walls? That paneling. Gone! Down to the studs and very dirty ‘shiplap’. I just couldn’t cover up the beautiful back wall (Sealing a Wood Plank Wall) and the rest of the walls and ceiling was covered with drywall. I decided to leave the brick chimney exposed and sealed it (more on that with this post: Sealing Brick). I love that kind of original charm!

The tub. Oh man. I can’t believe it was boxed in! I did hire out refinishing the inside (David Gunn). Russ sanded the outside for me and I applied a couple of coats of primer and paint and gave those beautiful feet a fresh new look. Can you believe it was all originally hidden? it’s gorgeous!  

Before: 

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff bathroom makeoverblue bathroom vanity bathroom towel wall storage airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme Before:DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff bathroom demoBefore:DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff  airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme Before:DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff Demo time: bathroom makeover in progress A work in progress: bathroom renovation bathroom makeover bathroom makeoverPretty original wood plank wall becomes a feature:Sealing a wood plank shiplap wall with shellac #helloredreno @diyshowoff #ad Sealing a wood plank shiplap wall with shellac #helloredreno @diyshowoff #ad Sealing a wood plank shiplap wall with shellac #helloredreno @diyshowoff #ad Sealing a wood plank shiplap wall with shellac #helloredreno @diyshowoff #ad Sealing a wood plank shiplap wall with shellac #helloredreno @diyshowoff #ad Time for new tile floor!!!bathroom floor prep for tile San Francisco hexagon tile floor wood plank wall grouting tile floor hexagon bathroom tile and wood plank wallairbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme

Before:DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme bathroom makeover bathroom decorBefore:DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoffbathroomcloset Demo time: bathroom makeover vintage bathroom charm bathroom makeover A work in progress:bathroom renovationbathroom renovation bathroom makeoverKeeping the brick exposed and sealed…vintage brick exposed brickBeautiful new tile floor and vanity…hexagon floor tile blue vanity hexagon tile floor with shiplap wall airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme

Before:DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoffTime for demo:clawfoot tub DIY bathroom renovation bathroom makeoverCleaning up:bathroom renovationbathroom renosub floorNew hexagon tile flooring spills into the hardwood from bathroom to bedroom. LOVE the creative freedom to do something different so much! hexagon bathroom tile and wood plank wall hexagon tile to hardwood transition hexagon tiles meet hardwood Shaw San Francisco tile Monterrey Grandview hardwoodairbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme anthropologie boho rise shower curtain clawfoot tubVintage clawfoot before:bathroom makeover bathroom makeoverclawfoot tub makeover airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme airbnb apartment bathroom makeover suite thyme anthropologie rissa shower curtain clawfoot tub

Whew! What a LONG hard job! But what a beautiful transformation! I have yet to soak in that tub but it’s on my list of things to do this weekend! 

Share your thoughts! 

What do you think? Quite a difference from before to after, right? Ready for a relaxing get-away?

Next up:

Things left to do: build a shed door for out back (I did create a beautiful small seating area … I’ll share a few pictures of that next). I also need to build a door for a sliding barn style door between the bedroom and kitchen/dining/livingroom area. But other than that, it’s pretty much done! All decorated and furnished from dishes to bed linens, great amenities and attention to detail. I’m so proud of how my vision came together and look forward to hosting LOTS of guests! Let the bookings begin! 

More about #helloredreno

You can book Suite Thyme if you’re traveling to the western PA area! I’d love to meet you! The building has so much historical charm. It’s about one block from our town’s Main Street. The bus stop is literally steps away. There’s an antique shop nearby. There are breweries, the YMCA, shops, restaurants, salons, florists, candy/coffee shop, holiday parades and festivals within walking distance. So fun! If renovation from blah to ahhhhh is your thing, come and check it out in person!

Ready to book a stay away at a home-suite-home for a Suite Thyme? Book Suite Thyme! Mention DIYShowOff and we’ll include a special gift with your stay. 

So subscribe and be reminded of updates as the renovations progress! I’ll share before and after photos, projects underway and updates, plans and design boards, sources and links as they relate as well as fun events going on in and around the downtown area. I’ll be using a specific hashtag on social media to keep things all neat and tidy and organized.

#helloredreno and #suitethyme

I welcome your thoughts and ideas! And as always, thanks for your encouragement and support and for sharing in my joy and vision! 

The #helloredreno project diary:

Project Diary Entry #1 – Hello Red Reno!

Project Diary Entry #2 – Efficiency Apartment

Project Diary Entry #3 Color Passive Paint

Project Diary Entry #4 – Full Bathroom Demo Day

Project Diary Entry #5 – Sealing A Wood Plank / Shiplap Wall

Project Diary Entry #6: Bathroom Flooring

Project Diary Entry #7: Sealing Brick

Project Diary #8: Hardwood Floors

Project Diary #9: Carpeted Stairs

Project Diary #10 Vinyl Floor Tiles

Project Diary #11 – Living Room Before & After

Project Diary #12 – Christmas at the Studio

Project Diary #13 – Wallpaper Mural

Project Diary #14 – Entryway, Stairs & Landing Before & After

Project Diary #15 – Apartment Living Room Before & After Reveal

Project Diary #16 – Dining Nook & Coffee Bar

Project Diary #17 – Apartment Kitchen Reveal

Project Diary #18 – Boho AirBnB Bedroom

Project Diary #19 – Bathroom Before & After Makeover

3 Favorite Fall DIYShowOff Projects

Fall is in the air! Mornings are crisp and chilly (back to school weather), days bright and sunny, and evenings cool and perfect for a cozy night’s sleep! 

Fall vignette

I decided to gather up and feature three favorite fall projects from the DIYShowOff archives. So here we go!

Fall Favorites:

Fall dream catcher wreath tutorial: my all time favorite! Isn’t it beautiful? It’s large and in charge and a statement that doesn’t go un-noticed! 

DIY fall dreamcatcher wreath door decor tutorial @diyshowoffDIY fall autumn dreamcatcher door decor wreath @diyshowoff

Wooden candy corn decorative accents. Cute and whimsical and so much better than there real thing! Well, at least in my opinion. What do you think? Are you addicted? I remember mom filling the candy dish. And I’m pretty sure they were purely decorative until they formed one hard mass at the end of the season. lol 

DIY Halloween/Fall craft: decorative wooden candy corn pieces

 

Decorating with non-traditional autumn colors can be a challenge but I can’t wait to tackle our dining room fall decorating again this year! The DIYShowOff 2017 fall home tour has lots of inspiration!

Fall Home Tour Shaw Floors diyshowoff Fall Home Tour Shaw Floors diyshowoff

Those are DIYShowOff’s most popular fall blog posts and my favorite too! Are you ready for fall? Are you an all things pumpkin spice loving, mum planting, autumn leaf raking, sweater and boots, warm fuzzy throws and mulled cider fanatic? What’s your favorite thing about this time of year? 

 

Project Diary Entry #7: Sealing Brick

Project Diary Entry #7: The bathroom makeover continues! We’re sealing an old original ‘decorative’ vintage brick chimney today!

The full bathroom at the studio property I’m working on was completely covered in paneling or what my husband refers to painted cardboard. For real. What is that stuff?! Even the claw foot tub and pedestal sink was boxed in with the same material! Why?! 

Follow the before and after makeover journey —> #helloredreno

RockSolid Concrete Sealer

Before: 

Yikes! (And no worries, we did repair the roof. It was top priority and the very first project.) But seriously. That paneling. What the….?!

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

Recap: 

We tore it all away! Oh my! You guys…I know it’s dirty but do you see the potential?

rustic bathroom makeover

Included was this bump out beside a built in cabinet (another feature I love!)…

DIY craft studio // workshop - before room makeover @diyshowoff

which revealed an original brick chimney…

vintage bathroom charm

Rustic! Texture! A buried treasure! And just like making one of the gorgeous wood plank walls a feature of the bathroom by leaving it exposed…

shiplap wall with hexagon tile floor

I couldn’t bear to cover up all that gorgeous old brick. Know what I mean? It’s completely decorative and not functional but the texture and pretty color variations! Oh man! The old gas register is staying as well.  

decorative brick chimney

But it did have a dirty dull finish. Blah!

brick before

What I did:

  • We gave it a good scrubbing with a wire brush to remove all of the filth and crumbles. 
  • And after talking with the professionals at Rust-Oleum, I used the RockSolid Natural Look Concrete Sealer (low gloss clear).RustOleum Rock Solid Concrete Sealantj
  • I simply applied it with a brush, making sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies. And watching for drips. I gave it one thorough coat and plan to do another. It’ll have dried several days by the time I get around to the second coat. Rust-Oleum Rock Solid Concrete SealerIt goes on white but dries clear.   sealing brick with brush
  • This product sealed it all in and provided a beautiful low gloss finish (nothing TOO shiny, not a high gloss or lacquered finish) that brought out the various vibrant colors and gave it a clean surface. It reminds me of an eggshell or satin finish. 

Conclusion:

So, this 114 square foot bathroom has a lot going on but I am in LOVE with all of the original charm. 

vintage brick

That floor though too! ::drool:: ::heart eyes:: 

exposed brick

More on that here—> Shaw SanFrancisco Hexagon Tile Flooring

What are your thoughts?

Do you embrace and work with the original old character or prefer removing or covering it for a clean slate? 

Next up on the bathroom remodel:

Paint, baseboards, {possible} vintage cast iron tub re-finishing, installing the toilet, vanity, sconce lights and my favorite part…decorating and the reveal! Oh. And probably cutting down 6 doors since re-doing the floors raised them. Not looking forward to that part but things are moving along. Stay tuned!

The building has so much historical charm. It’s about one block from our town’s Main Street. The bus stop is literally steps away. There are breweries, the YMCA, shops, restaurants, salons, florists, candy/coffee shop, holiday parades and festivals within walking distance. So fun! If renovation from blah to ahhhhh is your thing, stay tuned!

So subscribe and be reminded of updates as the renovations progress! I’ll share before and after photos, projects underway and updates, plans and design boards, sources and links as they relate as well as fun events going on in and around the downtown area. I’ll be using a specific hashtag on social media to keep things all neat and tidy and organized.

#helloredreno

I welcome your thoughts and ideas! And as always, thanks for your encouragement and support and for sharing in my joy and vision! Watch for #helloredreno!