While I love planning elaborate garden makeovers – particularly in the springtime – it's easy to forget that the most dramatic changes to awkward spots can all start with the simplest additions.
I have, for instance, been searching for ways to bring some personality into the neglected areas of my patio garden, and I've found a blissfully straightforward solution: square planters like Walmart's pine wood planter box and ALDI's Belavi wooden cube planter.
They might not seem like the most exciting investment, but geometric planter boxes can fit into and elevate any space. Whether you lean into the rustic look or add a pop of color with some paint, there's a reason why they are a budget-friendly staple of any container garden.
Crafted from Chinese fir wood, this compact planter is a brilliant addition to a patio, deck or balcony garden – it sits perfectly in the narrow nooks and crannies of your yard.
Why Cube Planters Are an Underrated Garden Addition
Whether you're keen to bring some charm to your small garden or you're honing in on one specific spot in your yard, planters like this one can be a real lifesaver.
It is, of course, temping to choose something more colorful – I've had my eye on Wayfair's wavy stripe planter set and Target's blue handled planter for months – but I've realized just how versatile wooden flower boxes can be.
They won't dominate a space, but they can easily transform those awkward crannies or tight corners that can be difficult to decorate.
Naturally, compact options are particularly ideal for city gardens: whether you have a balcony, deck or patio, boxes like these are a reliable way to experiment with planting if you don't have much square footage to work with.
I love that ALDI's cube planter features both a handsome footed design and a set of handles to help you move it around easily.
Not only does this make it much easier to rearrange the layout of your garden, but it also means that you can choose an ideal spot depending on the preferred growing conditions of your plants. (And you can even transfer them inside during bad weather, too.)
And although wooden planters are perfect for a timeless, rustic look, there's always the opportunity to customize them.
After treating myself to a pair of pistachio green ficonstone plant pots from Rejuvenation, for example, I'm eager to complete the look by painting my wooden planters a matching shade. ('Pistachio ice cream' by Benjamin Moore is my top choice right now.)
If you happen to have a larger garden, you might be more inclined to invest in more spacious options; perhaps you use a rectangular wooden planter (like this wood raised garden bed from Wayfair) as a vegetable patch, or you favor modular metal garden beds (like this one, which is also from Wayfair).
Take it from me, however: understated flower boxes like ALDI's can be the secret to reviving any space. Filled with vibrant blooms, trailing plants, or succulents, they bring a sense of elegance and intention to those spots that you might have overlooked.
What to Shop
Available in six colors from black to rich brown, this wood planter box is a failsafe garden investment. You can even show it off on a porch or staircase.
This flower box is particularly ideal for balconies and patio gardens: you can fix it to the wall, or it stack up with others to create a taller display.
I'll always be won over by a planter like this one: crafted from durable meranti wood, it's timeless, sophisticated, and impressively versatile.
In the spirit of small but show-stopping backyards, check out our top container garden tricks to make your small patio feel expensive – or read up on the best low-maintenance plants for pots.
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