Thursday, June 16, 2016

DIY Outdoor Water Fountain Made with Terra Cotta Pots

Outdoor Water Fountain


Adding an outdoor fountain is a great way to make your backyard or deck more relaxing. The sound of the trickling water will melt away stress and mask the sound of traffic or other intrusive noises. This terra cotta pot fountain will also add a lovely visual point in your outdoor space.


To build your own DIY outdoor water fountain, follow these step-by-step instructions.




How to Build the Outdoor Fountain


DIY Outdoor Water Fountain: Tools


Tools



DIY Outdoor Water Fountain: Materials


Materials





Step 1: Fill Large Planter Hole with Epoxy


Begin by sealing any holes in your largest planter with the epoxy putty. The bottom planter needs to be completely water tight for the proper operation of the fountain.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Apply Epoxy


Place the pump in the base of the large planter. Connect the flexible tube leaving yourself plenty of excess tubing for the moment.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Add Pump




Step 2: Glue Support Pot and Drill Lip Notch


Center the 10 in. support pot on the 12 in. saucer, center it and glue it into place using the construction adhesive. Once the adhesive has set, use the saw to cut a small notch into the lip of the pot. The notch should be big enough to allow the power cord of the pump to pass through.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Drill Notch


Outdoor Water Fountain: Check Fit of Hose




Step 3: Drill Holes for Tubing


Next, flip the support pot and saucer assembly upside down, and drill a hole in the center of the saucer just large enough to allow the flexible tube to pass through.


Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the next support pot and saucer. Drill through or increase the diameter of the center holes of the middle and top tier planters.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Drill Holes




Step 5: Insert Support Assembly


Route the flexible tube through the first support assembly. Place the support assembly into the large base planter taking care to make sure the power cord passes through the notch and drapes over the lip of the large planter.


Outdoor Water Fountain




Step 6: Complete Fountain Assembly


Thread the flexible tube through the middle tier planter and slide it into place.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Complete Assembly


If the tube fits snugly through the hole you drilled, then there's no need to seal around it. If the pass-through is loose, then seal around it with construction adhesive.


Thread the second support assembly, finishing with the top tier planter.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Complete Assembly II


Outdoor Water Fountain: Complete Assembly III




Step 7: Move the Fountain Outside and Check for Square


Move the fountain to your garden, deck or wherever you choose for its final home. To make sure the water cascades evenly out of the planters use a level to check for square, and adjust as necessary.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Check for Square




Step 9: Install Flow Control


Fill the bottom two planters with stones, then cut the flexible tube just short of the lip of the top planter. Install the flow control onto the tube. Make sure the flow control is turned to its lowest setting as it will be adjusted in a later step.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Cut Tubing




Step 8: Fill the Outdoor Fountain Completely with Stones


Cover the lower and middle saucers with the beach stones. For the best look, make sure the stones reache the lips of the terra cotta pots. Fill the top planter with stones till it stops just below the flow control.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Fill with Stones




Step 9: Fill the Fountain with Water and Enjoy


Fill the bottom planter completely full of water and plug in the pump. As the pump sends the water up, adjust the flow control knob to your preferred rate of flow. When that is complete, fill the remainder of the top planter with stones keeping the hose as centered as possible.


Add water as needed to make sure that the levels of each planter stay consistent.


Outdoor Water Fountain: Fill with Water


Now kick back, relax and enjoy your outdoor fountain.



Take a look at more DIY projects here on The Home Depot blog and follow our Outdoor Living board on Pinterest for more inspiration. This project can be made with a wide variety of materials, so browse The Home Depot's wide selection of pots and planters online to find the right style for your DIY water fountain.If you have questions about this or any other home improvement project, check out The Home Depot Community for quick answers and solutions. And check out a slightly different take on how to build a terra cotta pot fountain at homedepot.com.




The post DIY Outdoor Water Fountain Made with Terra Cotta Pots appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

DIY Planter Box Ladder

DIY Planter Box Ladder


Create this Planter Box Ladder with a few simple materials, and give your patio an easy makeover!


Just follow this step-by-step tutorial.


Materials for DIY Planter Box Ladder


Materials



Tools



You can rent these tools from The Home Depot.




Step 1: Planter Box Cuts


The side ends of the planter boxes are made out of treated 2 x 6 wood and are going to be cut at 15 degrees off square. I made my first 15 degree cut, then measured the bottom part to be 5¼ in., then made my next 15 degree cut the opposite way (NOTE: these cuts are NOT parallel).


Once I had this first end piece cut, I used it as a template for the rest of my 2 x 6 cuts. To make four planter boxes, you will need eight of these end pieces.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


DIY Planter Box Ladder


The front and back panels of the planter boxes are cut from cedar fence pickets. These are cut square, and will be 23½ in. each. Again, once I had my first cut made, I used this piece to mark my subsequent cuts. You will need eight of these cedar pieces.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


Your bottom pieces will be cut out of cedar as well; you will need to build the boxes first, then measure and cut the base to fit each box. I'll explain this again later (see Step 3).




Step 2: Assemble Planter Boxes


Using wood glue, apply a thin beading of glue to the side of the 2 x 6 piece. I like this Titebond wood glue because it works for both interior and exterior projects. Place the cedar plank onto the side piece, making sure that it is flush to the top edge. Firmly press down until the glue is set. Using your brad nailer and 2 in. brad nails, nail the plank to the end piece so that it is secure. You can always opt to use screws, regular nails, or galvanized staples if preferred.


Repeat for the other side of the planter box, and for the remaining three boxes.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


DIY Planter Box Ladder




Step 3: Cut and Assemble Planter Box Base


The base of the planter box is going to be made from the cedar fence pickets. Measure the bottom opening of each planter box, and make your cuts specific to the size of each box. Each box might vary slightly, in case your side panel cuts were off, which is why I suggest cutting to box size.


Drop the bottom piece into the planter box, then secure with nails or staples to keep them in place.


DIY Planter Box Ladder




Step 4: Cut Side Frame and Shelf


The side frames and shelf are made out of 2 x 6 treated wood. The side frame pieces are going to be 68 inches long, and each end is cut at 15 degrees. Unlike the side of the planter boxes, these 15 degree cuts will be parallel.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


From the front side of the frame, measure and mark the 3 inch point. You are going to make a 90 degree cut at this point, so that the frame can rest against your wall. Use a straight edge to mark your cut. Use a circular saw or jig saw to cut against this line.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


DIY Planter Box Ladder


Repeat this step for the second side.


I actually used the first completed side as a template to speed up the process, and also to make sure that I didn't make a mistake with my cut.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


The shelf is going to be 23½ in. wide; measure and cut using straight cuts (90 degrees) with your miter saw.




Step 5: Sand


Using an orbital sander, sand each planter box, the shelf, and the frame pieces. I did not bother to sand the inside of the planter boxes since they were just going to be filled with soil and plants.


DIY Planter Box Ladder




Step 6: Assemble


I started by laying out my boxes and shelf to see how everything was going to fit. As you are determining your box and shelf layout, make sure that everything is flush to the back side of the panels before you assemble.


I knew that I wanted my first box at the very top, so once I got it into position, I immediately pre-drilled with my 3/16 in. drill bit and then screwed in my 3 in. deck screws, from the inside of the box.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


DIY Planter Box Ladder


I was not sure how far down my shelf should go, so I then started assembling from the bottom. I placed my next planter box a few inches from the base of the ladder. Use a scrap piece of wood in between your boxes so that you can space each box equally apart.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


I placed my shelf in between my top box and second box. Mark the location of your shelf by using a pen or pencil and tracing the shelf. Pre-drill one spot through the board. The final assembly of the shelf will happen once you have your other side panel attached to the planter boxes.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


Place the other leg on top of the planter boxes you have just assembled. Measure the distance from the bottom of the assembled box, and adjust your top leg to ensure that your boxes will be level. Pre-drill and screw your desk screws into this top side.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


Remember that spot that you pre-drilled for your shelf? It's time to assemble your shelf now!


Screw your shelf to the frame from the outside of the planter box. Stand your planter box ladder upright, and then use a level to make sure that your shelf is level front to back and left to right. Pre-drill and screw in to fully secure.


DIY Planter Box Ladder




Step 7: Paint


Now that you are done with assembly, you can start painting! Behr has a great interior/exterior paint that I love. I went with their Moroccan Ruby color with a satin sheen because I wanted a pop of color to brighten up my neutral siding. Apply 1-2 coats of paint, depending on how deep you want the color to look. I love these paint brushes. They give a nice, smooth application of paint.


DIY Planter Box Ladder




Step 8: Add Hooks


Once your Planter Box Ladder is dry, stand it up against a wall. Determine where you would like your hooks to be positioned. Once you have an idea on placement, mark the screw holes with a pen or pencil. Pre-drill the holes using a 3/16 in. drill bit. Use a drill or a screw driver to attach your hooks.


I added two Ruavista hooks to each side of my plant ladder, but you can add as many or as few as you would like, depending on what you plan to hang.


DIY Planter Box Ladder


DIY Planter Box Ladder


DIY Planter Box Ladder




Step 9: Style!


Now that your new Planter Box Ladder is finished, it's time to add some soil and fresh herbs or flowers!


Your local Home Depot store has a great selection of plants to choose from. Make sure to take your yard's sunlight (or lack thereof) into consideration when picking out your plants.


To round out my new patio, I found this great patio bistro set from Home Decorator's Collection that fit my smaller sized patio perfectly! I added some fun outdoor pillows and a new door mat to add some more color and tie everything together.


I also decided to put in a few pavers to set my grill on, rather than taking up valuable patio space. It really helped to make the area feel a lot bigger!


Cute patio with a DIY Planter Box Ladder


DIY Planter Box Ladder


Decorative Hook on DIY Planter Box Ladder


DIY Planter Box Ladder



Browse our selection of cabinet hardware from Liberty. Follow our Easy DIY Projects board on Pinterest, for more DIY project ideas.


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