DIY Plans to Make a Small House Planter with Matching Tray

Build Easy to Make House Shaped Planters with Tray

Hey there! I wanted to share my DIY plans for building adorable small house planters with a matching tray. I got inspired by a set I saw at a retail store (I can’t recall which one) but I decided to make mine out of 1/4″ plywood instead of ceramic like the original set. These planters are perfect for faux plants, and the tray is made of 3/4″ plywood. I used walnut plywood for the planters and regular birch plywood for the tray. Plus, I added a fun twist by using the center planter as a pen and pencil holder. Happy crafting!

Materials:

DAP® Weldwood Instant Adhesive (<– affiliate link!)
Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
Finishing Supplies

Lumber:

1 – 2′ x 2′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
1 – 2′ x 2′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

6 – 1/4″ plywood at 4″ x 5″ – Planter Front & Back x 3
6 – 1/4″ plywood at 2″ x 2-1/2″ – Planter Sides x 3
3 – 1/4″ plywood at 2″ x 2-5/8″ – Planter Bottom x 3
1 – 3/4″ plywood at 4-1/4″ x 14″ – Tray Bottom
2 – 3/4″ plywood at 2″ x 4-1/4″ – Tray Ends
2 – 3/4″ plywood at 4-1/4″ x 14″- Tray Sides

Notes About the Project:

The edges of the tray bottom piece, as well as the bottom edges of the tray ends and sides are beveled so that the only exposed edge of the plywood is along the top of the tray. In my example, the tray is painted white while the planters are sealed with a clear polyurethane so that the walnut veneer shows through.

Step One

Cut the pieces for the planter front and back. The angles to form the peak of the roof can be cut by stacking all six of the pieces, securing them together, then cutting with a jigsaw or a bandsaw.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the planter sides and bottom. Using the Rapid Fuse (or another quick-drying wood adhesive), glue the sides to the bottom making sure the edges are flush.

Glue the front and back pieces to the sides and bottom. All edges should align and be flush.

Finish the planters as desired.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the tray. Cut a bevel in all four edges of the bottom with a table saw, miter saw or if you are a super-ninja, a jigsaw.

Cut a bevel in the lower edge of the ends and sides, as well as at each corner where these pieces meet. Assemble the tray using the Rapid Fuse (or another quick-drying wood adhesive).