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These DIY plant stands are the perfect finishing touch to bring the outside in. Add a bespoke biophilic element to your space with these inspiring ideas.

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As we spend more time in our homes, the need for DIY plant stands (quite literally) has grown. It may be our obsession with the outdoor-in biophilic trend, or perhaps because much of our time over the past few years has previously been spent stuck indoors.

Houseplants can last for years if fed and watered well with ample access to sunshine. But instead of housing your new BFFs in the plastic pot they came in, upgrade their accommodation with the best outdoor plant pots and a brand-new plant display made by you! What's more, these DIY plant stand ideas can suit your interior spaces. Maybe you want to compliment an industrial scheme or reinforce that relaxed farmhouse chic feel. These 'grassroots' designs have been crafted by DIY enthusiasts with a few spare hours.

The benefits of houseplants span much further than their aesthetic appeal. They can boost your mood, heal skin ailments and burns, and even purify your air. 

Intricate macramé work will look great both inside and outside your home, and it isn't as tricky as you might first think to make yourself. In this project, craft designer Sophie Tarrant shows you how to create an ombré effect macramé DIY plant stand using Rust-Oleum paints (opens in new tab) to really show off your best indoor plants.

Don't feel inclined to stick to Tarrant's choice of color scheme. Why not try teal and chrome, orange and bronze, or another combination that'll suit your interior scheme.

We've more on how to macrame if you are new to this technique, or just need a refresher course.

'Since good big plant pots are both hard to find and pretty expensive, I thought I'd have a crack at a DIY one based off one of my favorites from Ferm Living (opens in new tab) .' says Luke Arthur Wells (opens in new tab) , Interior stylist, blogger, and home DIYer.

'I managed to find terracotta pots at Homebase (opens in new tab) that have a good silhouette when stacked and literally just glued them together and painted them. There are a few extra steps to take, like blocking the hole so water doesn't come through.'

Metal wire is one of those materials that isn't going anywhere. From chrome or carbon-coated for industrial vibes to brass and copper for a more glam feel, it's a versatile material that can be used to create DIY plant stands. If you're not particularly artistic, this idea is so simple to recreate – as there's no wire bending required, just some baskets from Dollar Tree (opens in new tab) .

'The quickest DIY I’ve ever done,' says Rachelle, aka @plantnerdunplugged (opens in new tab) , a self-confessed plant nerd, e-commerce owner, and front-end developer.

'Two baskets. Attach the bottoms together. Done. I have to find the right pot for it but this works for now. I needed some height differentiation on my plants. Clean and simple.'

Swings are just for your garden or your backyard. Create a seventies-inspired macrame DIY plant stand and position this next to your window so your plants can soak up the sunlight.

'This is the best sunspot in the house, but it also happens to be my kitchen table,' says Laura aka @timshelcrafts (opens in new tab) .

'So now all my little babies have stadium seating and four adult humans can freely sit at the table once again. All for about $14.'

'I found the studs in the ceiling and measured the length I wanted for the boards and how far apart the holes should be to align with the studs. I cut the boards to length, drilled holes for the macrame ropes, sanded it all down, and painted with high-gloss paint (as it’s more water- and dirt- repellent.)'

'I drilled the hooks into the ceiling studs, hung the ropes on o-rings, tied in the first shelf using a square macrame knot, tied in the second one, adjusted the knots so the shelves were level, and that’s about it! Very basic macrame skills and pretty rudimentary drilling, sanding, cutting is all it took!'

Tomato cages aren't just for growing juicy red fruits you pop in your salads, sandwiches, and sauces – they also make thrifty DIY plant stands. Here, Courtney Lawrence aka @courtneylawrencestudio (opens in new tab) used one of these cylindrical metal structures to home her houseplant. We love the combination of brass and wicker basket.

This super cute DIY plant stand by Lily Ardor aka @lilyador (opens in new tab) is so easy to make! It costs around $7 and takes under 30 minutes.

She says: 'I tend to my plants more during the summertime and having them stand on random buckets and stumps has gotten kind of annoying! That’s why I finally decided to make some plant stands. I wanted something that would show off wood's natural textures and hoped it would look good enough to maybe mimic Anthropologie (opens in new tab) home decor.'

Terrazzo print has been at the top of the interior trend lists for a while now and is an easy way to add a pop of color to your décor. In this project, craft designer Sophie Tarrant shows us how to create this colorful effect at home using Rust-Oleum paints.

'For this plant stand I wanted something modern and simple,' explains Ardor.

'I had so many ideas like maybe giving it handles or having an 'X' on the bottom. Those were all crossed off the list and I decided to keep it simple by just making a framed box with a marble top.'

Watch Lily's full video tutorial on YouTube (opens in new tab) .

'This is, for sure, one of my favorite projects!' admits Paula, aka @hilagep (opens in new tab) 'So easy, beginner-friendly woodworking, no fancy tools needed and the result is just beautiful.'

'I used scrap 1x4s and glued them together, and turned wood pieces from Michael's. For the quick and easy version, just buy the precut wooden tops/plaques you can find at Home Depot, Michael's, or Hobby Lobby,' says Lauren Jamison aka @laurenajamison (opens in new tab) .

'Those premade pieces come in rectangle and round pieces with nice edging. I used the turned wood pieces as the legs. I then measured to my corners in the top to determine where I want to place my legs on the underside (about an inch and a quarter in). I turned the wood over, measure, and mark the leg spots.'

'I used Gorilla glue because I want it to dry fast and I don't have any way to clamp the legs down. I'm going to supplement this with my nail gun, just to help hold those legs in place.'

'I applied the glue, held the top in place a shot a nail from the top. At this stage, it's pretty wobbly but once the glue dries, it'll be good to go. Let it dry for a couple of hours, then apply stain.'

'I used a newer to me staining technique that involves mixing your stain into Polycrylic. I love how this technique helps to create an even, uniform finish. It’s great when you have blotchy wood, or you are applying it to a piece that has multiple kinds of woods that vary in color. The mixed stain floats the color on top of the piece rather than allowing the stain to soak in. It’s buildable and it seals as you stain so it helps to cut down the finishing process time.'

'I used a combination of Dark Walnut by Minwax and Briarsmoke by Varathane, which together create a rich smokey brown and not weathered, but dustier appearance. When you're using this technique you need to find the ratio of stain to poly that you like. This Briarsmoke stain is almost a solid color so I used a 2:1 ratio of Dark Walnut to Briarsmoke.'

'We love to reuse, so I found this scrapboard in the garage. It's a 1x10, so we made three 1x3s,'

'We cut some plywood into two different pieces at the length of 24 inches and then we cut the width of the plant stand separately because we wanted them to be two different sizes (30 inches and 16 inches) to make a tier, they'll be two different levels and will also be framed up.'

'But before I framed them up, I wanted to make sure there are no rough edges on any of them so that when we put it together, it'll be perfect. When you're using a palm sander, or sanding at all, is that I always sand with the grain – even if it's plywood, you get a better finish when you do it that way.'

'Use the 1x3s that you cut out of the 1x10 to make a frame. We're going to make a standard box frame because this is going to get painted, so you won't see any fancy corner cuts anyway. Start with the shorter side and then do the front and back long sides. That gives it a really nice clean look at the front.'

'I always use Gorilla glue, it's the best I've used and I'm just going to add it all on the bottom of the wood I'm using to make the frame. You definitely want to put wood glue in, because sometimes the plant and the soil and adding water to it, it can get a little heavy, so you want that extra durability, especially if it's going to be out in the temperature elements, you want it to last.'

'Secure the frame in place by using a nail gun – this will reinforce the structure. Because I want to have a second tier, I made the second box frame just a little bit smaller and I'm going to do the exact thing and replicate the steps to create that tier.'

'If you want more than two tiers, you just want to make sure that each of your tiers are at least a couple of inches longer than the ones from the top. So I did 13 inches and 16 inches, you might want to do 12, 16, and 20 if you want to do three, but I think  just the smaller one for my porch will be perfect.'

'I used a combination of a small foam roller and a paintbrush and use my Beautitone paint, it's called High Hide White – and I'm going to be using some neutral posts to hold up the stand, so it'll really help that white be a pop of color against my plants.'

'Now that our trays are ready we're going to make the stand that's going to hold these trays that our plants are gonna go in. I want to leave these as a neutral wood, so we're going to use the pine 2x2s, they don't have to be heavy-duty. I'm going to do a little shelf inlay on both of the widths of the trays. I already know the bigger tray is 17.5 on both sides, and the smaller 14.75, so I need to make two for each. And then I'm also going to cut a 2x2 that is the width that we already know is 24 inches plus our frame, so 26 inches, then do a few pre-cuts, and then we're going to make our actual A-frame.'

'To create an A-frame, cut the 2x2 pieces into 4 3ft pieces. You'll need to double them up on each side. You'll also use the 3 26-inch pre-cuts to create a center bar to "shelve" the box frames, and one at the top of the frame. Again, use a nail gun to secure these at your preferred height.'

 Two words: Concrete jungle. If you like mixing the organic with the industrial, this aggregate and cement DIY plant stand by Lindsey aka @_distresseddaisy will give you an on-trend aesthetic. The black dip-dyed legs are so simple to execute, but give it that extra je-ne-sais-quoi.

Macrame has far more potential than wall hangings and retro decor. Create a chic DIY plant stand using scrap wood, carpentry, and textile skill with tapestry needles. If you want to jazz it up, tie-dye or dip-dye your macrame cord in pastel colors before you begin for a contemporary update on seventies style.

'This was a free project for me because I already had everything, but the materials are not expensive at all,' explains Paula Lage aka @hilagep (opens in new tab) . 

'You can get pre-cut wood discs from craft stores for $5 to $10 (depending on the size). The wood sticks I’m pretty sure you can find in dollar stores and Amazon has very affordable options for macrame cords.'

'The wood to make the legs doesn’t need to be a new slat from the lumber store. I suggest looking for free pallets, for those who have the tools and can cut it themselves, or ask a local workshop nearby if you can have some scrap wood (small pieces are thrown away most of the time).'

'A plant stand is such a simple idea and a great way to display your best indoor plants or garden plants on the patio,' says Amelia Smith, acting style editor, Real Homes.

'And it's an easy thing to DIY if you’ve got a wooden ladder shelf that’s looking a little worse for wear or have bought a cheap ladder shelf to customize. Why not transform plain or tired storage into a statement display for your finest herbs and plants this weekend?'

'Simply choose a selection of stand-out colors to paint the shelves and some plant pots, creating a vibrant focal point that gives your plants the attention they deserve. Whether you’ve got a large patio, small balcony, bland kitchen, plain bathroom it’s the perfect way to maximize your space (and the beauty of your plants) on a budget.'

You really can use anything! From teacups to food tins, discover our DIY alternative planter ideas which are uber-quirky!

'Whether this will be a herb station for your kitchen, a green display for your bathroom, or a statement feature on your patio, select your plants accordingly,' says Smith.

'Basil, parsley, coriander, mint, rosemary, and thyme are great to have within grab-able distance to your cooking area. Trailing ivy, string of hearts, and string of pearls are pretty trailing plants which will grow down from your higher shelves, creating an elegant feel.'

Our indoor gardening guide is blooming with tips to help your houseplants grow.

Honestly, it can be as large or little as your space can accommodate! For example, if you've got a small apartment, you won't want a DIY plant stand that you have to wade through. Be sure to be savvy with your space, and make use of your walls with do-it-yourself wall planters and indoor plant walls, and vertical garden ideas.

Whether you choose uniform pots for a consistent feel or go chintzy with mismatched planters, there's no right or wrong way to style a DIY plant stand. It's all about injecting your personality into it. If you have the time and creativity and know how to decorate a plant pot, this can also be a bespoke route you can go down.

'Think about round bottoms or light curves,' says Tycho Schafraad, CEO, Pottery Pots USA (opens in new tab) .

'Low, round bowls for plants and flowers score really good as well, according to the latest garden trends. Organic shapes give a garden a playful and cozy character.'

A DIY plant stand looks good as a feature in any room in the home. But, for your houseplants to thrive, they will need optimal light and water conditions. Placing it near a window with natural sunlight will allow your greenery to photosynthesize (hello biology class!) to its full potential, but if you're thinking of having this piece of furniture in your washroom, then it's best to look at the best bathroom plants that enjoy humid conditions and survive with low or little light.

Christina joined the Real Homes team as a digital writer in June 2021. Prior to this, she worked for Good Homes magazine and home interest events including the Ideal Home Show and Grand Designs Live. She lives close to Epping Forest and is spoiled for choice with lush green spaces, but loves her own English garden that adjoins her ground-floor maisonette, complete with a floral melange of roses, lavender, jasmine, and an apple tree.

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