Who Loves a Beautiful Window Box?

Currently I am traveling in Connecticut and during my morning walk, I am surprised to see so many beautiful window boxes filled with colorful flowers. Naturally this got me thinking about window boxes and how I do not have a one. Nada. No where on either of our properties is there a single window box! Today’s post is everything you need to know about window boxes and planters.

Plants of all kinds can spruce up your home’s exterior instantly, but you don’t need a gigantic yard to accommodate flowers, herbs, or even vegetables. If you’re looking to scale back from planting large flower gardens or if you are short on outdoor space, consider adding window boxes to your home. 

Styles of Window Boxes/Planters

There are numerous styles of window boxes from which to choose. Depending on the look or the architectural features of your home, selecting a style is important. You can purchase window boxes pre-made or have them custom made or, design and build one yourself.

Look at how unique and appropriate these nautical window boxes are for this beach cottage on the ocean?

Correct Size and Material

The ideal length, width, and height of a window box depends on the location you will be putting it. After doing a bit of research on this, the recommendation is for the best visual effect, a window box should be at least as wide as the window and should not extend more than 3 inches beyond the trim on each side.

Window boxes come in a variety of materials~molded plastic, wood, metal, resin, resin and stone, wire with coco liners….and in a variety of prices.

If you are interested in building your own, Country Living has 20 Best DIY Window Box Ideas here.

Where to Buy?

Great resources for window boxes include:

• Amazon has a wide selection at reasonable prices here
• Walmart, too has a good selection from metal to resin and self-watering too here
• Gardener’s Supply carries everything from the brackets, to the liners to the boxes here
• Both Home Depot and Lowe’s carries window boxes and you will have a greater selection ordering online
• Wayfair has a good selection including this 22 inch wide verdegris metal one for $45.99.
• Want something unique? Try Etsy for custom made boxes.

Not Sure What to Plant?

Here is an informative article from HGTV with 14 Simply Stunning Summer Window Box Recipes. They provide planting recommendations and show you what plants go where. You can see it here.

While plants need to be watered, they also need to not be overwatered, so window boxes that can drain will take any excess water away. So in our hunt for the best window boxes, we provided options that have holes or self-watering capabilities.

Faux Flower Option

Want a window box but cannot provide water? Or your green thumb is not so green? Great looking silk flowers might be an option. There are many realistic version of faux flowers available now. You may want to consider spraying them with a floral protectant spray to prevent fading from UV rays.

I may consider this option at our cabin because we are not there full-time.

How to Affix

When mounting a window box, take into account the weight of the planter. Naturally, plastic or resin will be lighter than solid wood. Here is a detailed article from Better Homes & Gardens on affixing your window box(es). Also, make sure you note how your windows open. Do they slide up or crank out? Or are they fixed?

Will you get self-watering window boxes or will you hand water? Perhaps you have a watering system for your yard and will you be able to run a small water line to your planter? All these details will impact how you affix the window box.

Railing Window Boxes

At our cabin, I would like to add flower boxes on the top railing of our outside deck. There are many options with containers sitting on top of the rail, to those with brackets hanging from the railing.

Window boxes bring a touch of charm and vibrancy to any home, seamlessly blending nature with architecture. These small, elevated gardens provide a burst of color that can transform a plain façade into a picturesque scene, reminiscent of quaint European streets.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, window boxes are a haven for creativity, allowing homeowners to experiment with a variety of plants and flowers, from cascading ivy to vibrant geraniums.

They also offer a practical solution for urban gardeners with limited space, enabling the cultivation of herbs and small vegetables right outside their windows. The presence of window boxes can brighten the view from inside as well, creating a living frame that changes with the seasons.

In essence, window boxes are a simple yet impactful way to enhance the beauty and ambiance of a home, making it feel more inviting and alive.

I am inspired after writing this post to see what window box options I have at our mountain cabin! Thanks for joining me today.

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