DIY A Fun Planter Using This Unexpected Vintage Find

For those who love the aesthetic of vintage decor and have a home filled with plants, this DIY is the perfect fun project. With a vintage radio, you can create a planter box for succulents or small houseplants. This is a great way to add a unique look to your space, while also providing a safe home for your plants.

Depending on the style and size of vintage radio you're looking for, they can range in price from under $10 to about $50, though many varieties are between $20 and $30. EBay and Goodwill have wide selections of vintage radios online, but it would likely be beneficial to check your local thrift stores or Facebook Marketplace. No matter what type of radio you choose, you will need to remove the electrical components inside to make space for your plants, so it doesn't matter if the radio is functional. From there, you could simply line the inside with plastic, craft a box for your plant to sit in, or place an already potted plant inside the radio.

When selecting your vintage radio, it's a good idea to keep in mind the size of the plants you want to house in it. Since most radios aren't very big, they work well for miniature succulent gardens, but other plants may require you to find a larger model. Now, you will need to disassemble the radio, which will be different for each vintage model. Start by unscrewing whatever you can or taking off the back or top of the radio. Once inside, use a box cutter, scissors, wire cutters, or an X-acto knife to remove everything inside. If you're working with a larger radio, you may only need to remove most of the components, as one side might have enough room for your plants. You may also need to take the dials off some radios to empty the insides, but you can glue them back on at the end.

To allow your plants to blossom from the top of the radio, it might need to be removed or have a hole cut in it with a jigsaw. You could choose to leave this space open or make a wooden top with an open space just big enough for your plant.

While you could use a simple plastic container to protect the inside of your vintage radio from the soil and water your plants will need, you might consider making a wooden insert to better match the aesthetic — especially if you're working with a flatter rectangular radio. Measure the area inside the radio where you want your plants to sit and cut plywood to the same dimensions with a miter saw. If you don't have a saw, you may be able to have the wood cut at your local hardware store. With wood glue, attach all sides to each other, then to the bottom of your box. You can also use caulk for a better seal around the edges if you'd like. Now, add your soil and plants and place the box inside the radio. Placing rocks in the bottom underneath the soil could also aid in drainage.

If your radio is tall and thin, try removing the top and replacing it with a piece of scrap or plywood, which could be stained to match the radio. Cut a hole in the wood large enough for a potted plant to sit in. Another simpler option is to lay a plastic liner inside the radio, though this may be more susceptible to leaking. This project works great as a planter, but you could also place flowers with water inside if you're using a plastic or glass container.