I Turned a Secondhand Filing Cabinet Into My Dream Outdoor Planter — So Easy!
In this DIY upcycle, Melanie Gnau converts a secondhand [[filing cabinet]] from a [[Habitat for Humanity ReStore]] into a modern outdoor planter. She cleans, sands, and experiments with finishes—switching from glossy enamel to a [[hammered matte spray paint]]—then adds a painted [[scrap wood]] side when she discovers the cabinet lacks a bottom. After drilling drainage holes, she layers the interior with sticks, organic material, and container soil using a mini [[hugelkultur]] method to save on soil and improve moisture retention. Placed near her [[rain barrel]], the tall planter reduces bending and simplifies care. Melanie suggests choosing a cabinet with an intact bottom to skip the wood add-on, and notes the matte finish hides metal flaws. The project is customizable—try bold color, wheels, or allowing natural rust for an affordable, sustainable planter.