A flower bed is a sure-fire way to brighten up your outdoor living spaces.
If you don’t have a flower bed (or several of them) or you think that perhaps you just don’t have the yard space, we have a great collection of DIY flower beds that you can try.
Jump to:
- Suspended Flower Beds
- Raised Flower Beds
- Vertical Flower Beds
- Towering Flower Beds
- Rock Flower Bed
- Vertical Pallet Bed
- Hanging Flower Bed
- Flower Beds From Old Chairs
- Kiddie Pool Flower Bed
- Whiskey Barrel Flower Bed
- A Real Flower “Bed”
- Tool Box Flower Gardens
- Old Log Flower Gardens
- Boot Planter Garden
- Old Tire Flower Bed
- Rock Gardens
- Hill Raised Flower Bed
- Vertical Pyramid Flower Bed
- Flower Chests
- Mason Jar Gardening
- Cinderblock Flower Beds
- River Rock Borders
- Wine Bottle Border
- Raised Brick Flower Bed
- Steel Pipe Border
- Flower Bed Pond
- Woven Flower Beds
- Window Flower Beds
- Hanging Tin Flower Beds
- Pillar Beds
- Upside Down Planters
- Spiral Brick Beds
- Marble Chip Flower Bed
- Poured Concrete Border
- Birdbath Flower Beds
- Boat Planter
- Wall Flower Garden
- Hanging Gardens
- DIY Flower Tower
- Boxwood Bed Border
Suspended Flower Beds
Utilizing air space is a wonderful way to have more than enough room for all of your favorite flowers.
This suspended flower bed is made from pieces of old guttering. If you have recently had your gutters replaced, this is a great way to recycle those old pieces.
Or, you can pick up gutters for just a little of nothing (since you really don’t need that much).
You just have to attach them together and then choose a spot for hanging. This is a great flower bed idea for smaller yards or apartment balconies.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Good Home Design
Raised Flower Beds
Raised beds are perfect for smaller spaces and for yards where things don’t grow very well. Instead of relying on the soil that you have, you can use potting soil that is rich in nutrients to make your flowers grow beautifully.
You can do any number of different designs for a raised flower bed and if you really want to avoid having to weed around the edges and keep people from trampling your flowers, raised beds are the perfect solution.
When creating your raised bed, think outside the box and make something that is completely unique.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Ayearwithmomanddad
Vertical Flower Beds
Flower beds don’t necessarily have to lay on the ground. In fact, if you have little space available in the yard or you have a fence or wall that you want to decorate a bit, you can add a vertical flower bed.
A piece of lattice and a few old boards will give you what you need to really decorate those hard to decorate places.
Put a vertical flower bed up against the fence behind your other flowers or hang them wherever you need just a splash of color.
They are just as easy to care for as traditional beds and are much more unique.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Theidearoom
Towering Flower Beds
Your flower beds don’t have to stop at the front porch.
In fact, you can build a beautiful topsy-turvy towering flower bed with just a few terra cotta pots and a few other supplies.
These are perfect for continuing your beautiful flowers up onto the porch or deck or if you don’t really have room for a larger bed, you can just use the flower tower in place of a traditional bed. However you choose to use it, it’s really easy to make and you can add as many pots as you want.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Weheartthis
Rock Flower Bed
Having a flower bed is great but making it really stand out is even better. Instead of just planting those flowers, think about how you want to separate them from the rest of your lawn and make them a point of interest.
You can create this beautiful rock flower bed with rocks that you probably have right outside your house. You will need a bag of concrete to hold them all together and how high you make it depends on what you want. If you are building a raised bed, this is a great way to cover it or you could do several of these around your yard and really show off those flowers.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Instructables
Vertical Pallet Bed
If you want a vertical bed, there is no easier way to create one than with an old pallet. These beds are great for those who don’t have a lot of yard space for traditional flower beds or you could use them to dress up your deck or fence and extend your flower garden just a bit.
You can often get pallets from lumber yards for free (or a very small fee) and then just paint them whatever color you want or leave them in their natural color. This is an excellent way to get a lot of flowers spread throughout your yard without actually using the lawn space that you have available.
Hanging Flower Bed
This DIY succulent chandelier is an excellent idea for a flower bed.
Whether you want to plant succulents or you want colorful blooms hanging overhead, you can use the chandelier project to provide you with a hanging bed that utilizes the space above you which is normally neglected for obvious reasons when it comes to planting a flower garden. These are beautiful hanging on the front porch or the back deck.
You can have as many as you want and put them just about anywhere you want to have extra flowers “hanging around.”
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Apartmenttherapy
Flower Beds From Old Chairs
Instead of throwing out furniture that isn’t fit for using any longer, consider turning it into a flower bed. The chair in this one for instance, may not be suitable for sitting but it makes a beautiful flower display.
You can create this easily by simply adding a flower pot to the seat of an old chair. You could also sit the chair in a traditional flower bed and then let your other flowers flow around it or if you have vines, allow them to climb up the chair. The possibilities are endless and the chair itself is a wonderful way to make your flower bed a focal point in the yard.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Fourgenerationsoneroof
Kiddie Pool Flower Bed
If you have kids (or grandkids or nieces and nephews, etc.) and you have an old swimming pool that you aren’t using any longer, turn it into a great little flower bed. This Little Tikes kiddie pool is the perfect size for adding flowers and it’s a really easy way to begin a great container flower garden that is whimsical and unique.
You can get round kiddie pools at the Dollar Store for under $10 each or if you have an old one that maybe has a leak, use it instead. Whatever the shape or size, it’s going to make a great starter flower bed.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Themomstandard
Whiskey Barrel Flower Bed
An old whiskey barrel is great for a flower bed. Not only does it do the job nicely, it’s really unique and gives your entire outdoor décor a rustic look.
You only need a whiskey barrel half so if you actually have a large complete barrel, you can make two planters out of it.
You just fill the bottom with rocks or gravel and then add soil and your flowers. These are great for smaller yards or you can sit them by the front steps to extend your flower garden just a bit and make it part of your front porch.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Foodfamilyfinds
A Real Flower “Bed”
Imagine having a real flower “bed” in your yard made from an actual bed. There are so many ways that you can use an old headboard and baseboard to create a stunning display for your flowers.
Beds are the perfect shape for traditional flower gardens and this one is so whimsical and fun. You can paint the bed beforehand if you want and either build a box for planting the flowers or actually use the inside of the rails on the bed and create your garden from that. Did we say that the possibilities are endless?
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Myrepurposedlife
Tool Box Flower Gardens
Old tool boxes are great for planting flowers. Not only do they add that rustic look but they are perfectly mobile so if you need to move your flower bed from one location to another, you can do so easily.
This is a little twist on traditional container gardens and a great one at that. You can sit the tool box on the deck rail if you don’t really have enough room in the yard for a flower bed or even attach it to the rail or a fence.
The metal adds a great touch to the garden and if you don’t have an old rusted tool box, you can pick them up at yard sales or flea markets for practically nothing.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Diynetwork
Old Log Flower Gardens
You can make flower beds out of just about anything. Take this old log for instance. If you want something really unique (and beautiful) and you have a few old logs around the yard, simply hollow out the inside and plant your flowers. These are also great for use as a border for your flower bed. Just choose smaller logs and plant something that doesn’t grow very high. Place the logs around your flower bed and you’ll have a border that also works as planters for different types of blooms.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Hallmarkchannel
Boot Planter Garden
You really do not need a lot of yard space in order to have a gorgeous flower garden. If you don’t have any place in your yard that you can build a flower bed, consider using other areas instead.
Old rubber rain boots are perfect for adding a little color and you can create a beautiful flower garden right on the side of a fence. You just plant in the boots and then hang them wherever you want. These are great for hanging on trees that are inside your flower bed or on decks as well.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Rosinahuber
Old Tire Flower Bed
Instead of hauling old tires off to the dump, recycle them into a great flower bed. You just have to paint the tires (this step is optional) and then arrange them however you want.
You can use all different types and sizes of tires to give your flower bed a great and unique look and use different colors for each tire to really make this a focal point in your yard. Tire planters are so easy to do and they can be used on ground that is not really right for planting. You just add some potting soil to the center and plant your blooms in that.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Birdsandblooms
Rock Gardens
A rock garden is the perfect way to really show off those flowers and they are much easier to create than you may think.
If you have a little space available, use rocks that you can find near your home and incorporate a few succulents into the mix as well. Succulents offer beautiful foliage colors which will really help your blooming flowers to stand out and the rocks look really elegant. Just choose rocks that are indigenous to your area or you could buy stones at a home improvement store if you prefer.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Landscaping
Hill Raised Flower Bed
Depending on the makeup of your lawn, you may have trouble with a traditional flower bed. Take heart.
There are always ways around any obstacle that prevents the planting of flowers. If your lawn is not quite level, you can create raised beds on those hilly areas that will not only help to cover this little imperfection but give you beautiful blooms as well. You can section off the areas where you want to cover and then just border them with whatever you please.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Arthub
Vertical Pyramid Flower Bed
Not all vertical flower beds are the same just like not everyone’s yard is large enough for a traditional bed. This vertical pyramid bed is perfect for smaller yards and balconies because it gives you loads of places to plant those blooms without actually taking up much space.
The flowers grow upward so you are utilizing the air space above, which is perfect for those with no yard. You can build this pyramid easily and then choose your plants. Add larger plants (that grow higher) on bottom and finish the top with smaller ones.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Removeandreplace
Flower Chests
Did we mention that furniture can be great for use as a flower bed? This chest of drawers has been recycled to create a stunning flower bed and one that doesn’t really need a lot of space to grow.
The drawers are perfect for planting rows of flowers and you can add containers on top with other blooms in them. Or, you could use containers all the way around, whatever you prefer. Paint or stain your chest or dresser beforehand or just give it a little sanding to make it look older and more rustic.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Hometalk
Mason Jar Gardening
We love gardens that are great for small spaces. This Mason jar garden can actually be used in large or small areas. You can either add the jars to a fence or decking or create your own hanger with an old strip of wood.
The jars are held into place with clamps, which are really inexpensive at the Dollar Store and then you just add the flowers that you want to grow. This is great for apartments where you may not have a yard at all. You can add this to a balcony or even up on the roof to have a place to relax and look at your lovely flowers.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Inhabitat
Cinderblock Flower Beds
Sometimes the most unattractive things can be used to create the most beauty. Cinderblocks are not normally what you may consider beautiful but when you use them to create a flower bed, they become just that.
You can stack the blocks however you want and then use the insides to plant your flowers. Or, you could use them to create a border around an existing flower bed and then add new flowers to the holes in the blocks. Either way, those boring old blocks become things of beauty when you use them to show off your blooms.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Pottedstore
River Rock Borders
Depending on where you live, you may have tons of river rock available. If so, you can use those rocks to create a gorgeous flower bed and one that won’t cost you anything. Instead of outlining your bed with landscaping timber or other materials, put those lovely rocks to work for you.
You can also use them to create a nice little path to your flower bed or use them inside the bed for added decoration in between your plants. When you lay them right, they will also help you to keep the weeds away from your blooms.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Garden-dream
Wine Bottle Border
Have a few old wine bottles that you don’t need any longer? Actually, you can use any type of glass bottle for this and create a beautiful border for that flower garden. You just turn the bottles upside down and then stick them in the dirt alongside the outer edge of your flower garden.
This is a great way to recycle those old bottles and create a gorgeous flower bed at the same time. Be careful not to break the glass when you are “planting” the bottles and you can use bottles of all different colors to make your flower bed really beautiful.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Econesting
Raised Brick Flower Bed
If you are planning to build a raised flower bed and you want something a bit different (particularly if your home’s exterior is brick) then build a brick bed. This is relatively easy and you can complete it in just a weekend.
The brick is much easier to lay than you may think and it is an excellent choice for a flower bed border, again particularly if your home’s exterior is also brick. Your flower bed will perfectly match your home, making your entire yard look elegant and organized.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Bhg
Steel Pipe Border
If you want something truly unique to use as a border for your flower bed, consider steel pipe. If you have old pipes somewhere around the house, this is a great project and it looks really neat.
You just stick the pipes in the ground, making sure that you get them all the same height or you could toggle the height to make it look more interesting. The best part is you can add rocks to the inside of the pipe or fill them with soil and use them to plant smaller flowers or succulents.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Welchwrite
Flower Bed Pond
You can build a raised flower bed and turn it into a pond or add a small pond that is perfect for bringing the relaxing sound of water to your flower garden area. This is a really easy project and great for those who want a small pond in the yard but don’t want to buy one of those premade forms to build it. You can also use small inner tubes that have a wooden base inserted at the bottom to grow flowers.
Just fill in the inner tube with soil and then add your blooms. They will float around your pond, making it really unique and beautiful.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Empressofdirt
Woven Flower Beds
If you are planning to incorporate raised flower beds in your landscaping and you don’t really want a square bed, you can weave your own round beds that will look lovely all around the yard.
You can use willow, dogwood or any number of other flexible rods for the weaving and when they are finished, these raised beds are absolutely gorgeous. They are perfect for beside the steps or just anywhere you want to have a flower bed but you prefer the raised beds as opposed to traditional ones.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Instructables
Window Flower Beds
So, if you don’t really have room for a large flower bed or if you already have beds in the yard and you want something a little closer to the house, think about creating window beds for your smaller flowers.
You can build these beds really easily and then you just have to add planters with your flowers in them. Think of them as window boxes except they have holes where you can put your terra cotta planters so you can change the flowers that you are growing in them at any time.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Apartmenttherapy
Hanging Tin Flower Beds
Hanging flower beds are the perfect way to add a little extra beauty to areas where you really can’t plant. These great tin flower beds are made from recycled tin cans so if you tend to use a lot of canned goods, save those cans.
You can cover an entire fence with your flowers or just hang them wherever you want a little splash of color from your blooms. Clean the cans well before you plant your flowers and if you want to paint them, do that prior to planting as well.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Stuffstephdoes
Pillar Beds
Whether you need ideas for flower beds for smaller spaces or you want something unique to border your existing beds, pillars are a great choice. You can create these pillars from PVC pipe which is relatively inexpensive if you don’t have some just laying around the house. Just “plant” your pillars wherever you want them, fill with potting soil and then add your flowers.
You could also add vining plants around them to cover up the pipes if you wanted or stick them in the ground a little farther if you want to use them as a flower bed border.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Curbly
Upside Down Planters
Creating a raised flower bed doesn’t necessarily mean nailing and cutting. You can take an old wooden crate and place it atop upturned terra cotta planters for a raised bed that not only gives you the perfect place for your flowers, it gives you a really unique bed as well.
These raised beds are completely mobile so you can move them about as needed and they are great for areas that are otherwise barren or boring. You can add splashes of blooms wherever you want and this is a good project for planters that are chipped or cracked.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Diynetwork
Spiral Brick Beds
If you prefer the look of brick but you don’t really like the square look of a traditional raised bed, you can create a bit of a spiral bed instead. These take very little work and very little time but they look amazing and give you a wonderful place to showcase your favorite flowers.
They are a bit raised so they work well with vining flowers or you can plant anything you want in them. They would look great at the entrance to a larger flower garden or just build them by the steps to have flowers to enjoy as you come and go.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Samsveggies
Marble Chip Flower Bed
If you want something really unique and something that costs very little (less than $30 for the entire project, that is) this marble chip bed is perfect. Not only does it help to make your entire patio look more elegant, it is the perfect place for adding those colorful blooms.
You can do this with any raised bed or use the project idea for your container planters if you want. It’s a great look and one that is really easy to create, not to mention really inexpensive.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Chloemoorephotography
Poured Concrete Border
If you plan to have a flower bed next to the sidewalk, a poured concrete border will look beautiful.
This is an excellent border idea for beds that are inside circular drives as well. You can actually pour your own concrete and save a small fortune over having it done professionally and it takes very little time.
You can do this around existing flower beds or pour the concrete first so that you know exactly where to plant those flowers when you are finished.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Tancamjenksfam
Birdbath Flower Beds
You can create a flowerbed out of just about anything. This birdbath garden is case and point. If you have an old birdbath that is cracked or you just don’t use it any longer, instead of throwing it out you can make a lovely flower bed from it.
This would be great for the center of an existing flower bed if you have smaller plants that you want to showcase or if you have a smaller yard this is a great way to incorporate a flower bed without needing too much space.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Midwestliving
Boat Planter
When it comes to building a flower bed, you might just want to work with what you have available.
This boat planter is a great idea, particularly for lake or beachside homes. If you want a raised flower bed and you happen to have an old boat that you really can’t trust on the water any longer, use it to make your flower garden.
You just have to fill it with potting soil and then add whatever flowers you want. This would be beautiful with tropical flowers or you can do it with any flowers that grow well where you are.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Motherearthnews
Wall Flower Garden
We’ve said it several times. You really don’t have to have a lot of outdoor space to create a stunning flower garden. If you have a wall available, take old pallets or whatever you have on hand and create an entire wall of flowers. If you truly want a flower bed but you just can’t put one in the yard, this is the perfect solution.
You can paint the pallets or wood in different colors and showcase contrasting blooms in them. This works on fences, decks or even on the side of your house.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Huffingtonpost
Hanging Gardens
Hanging planters are great for adding flowers to different places. This wicker basket planter is great because it gives you the space to grow several different flowers at once and you don’t have to have the yard space available.
You can hang this on the deck, balcony or just anywhere you need to grow those favorite blooms. You can make this from rectangular baskets or you could use different shapes and sizes if you want or even a combination of them, whatever you prefer.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Abeautifulmess
DIY Flower Tower
You can dress up your porch, front steps, deck or anywhere with this great flower tower that you can build yourself. This is perfect if you want a flower garden filled with vining plants or you could plant shorter flowers in it as well.
You can create a towering flower bed easily and if you have room, make a couple of them to really show off those blooms. Add them to decks, the front porch or even in the yard next to your other flower beds.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Simplydesigning
Boxwood Bed Border
Boxwood is beautiful, easy to plant, and makes the perfect border for your flower beds. You can really make those beds look elegant and sophisticated when you use boxwood for the border.
You can do this with another shrubbery as well but boxwood just has such a nice look to it. Just choose where your flower bed is going to be and then plant the shrubs around it. You can also use it to the border raised beds if you want.
DIY Instructions and Project Credit - Motherearthliving
Niamh brennan
Hi any more good itea the ones you have are good
Patriciapleckaitis
I was really excited to see the fire pit surrounded by a circular frame that that swings suspended around,
Facing each other there was gravel used as the ground cover. But there was no directions for this. I find that a tease. It is frustrated to go into these sites only to never be able to find the directions. After 1/2 hr. You just become upset with the site. Disappointed
Vanessa Beaty
Hi Pat We've posted about swings around a campfire here https://www.diyncrafts.com/2122/homemade/fantastic-summer-diy-project-build-swings-around-a-campfire with links to instructions, I'm confused why you post here about not being able to find it.
Vanessa
Falin
Great ideas! I never thought to use old chairs as a flower bed option. I was also thinking you could add a pop of color to the old chairs by doing a bit of diy and painting them an accent color. The flowerbed would really pop then!