Adding window boxes to the outside of your home is one of the easiest most affordable ways to add color to your house. I personally love window boxes because you can add different flower colors every season. That way you don't have to repaint your house to change the color scheme. If you're new to landscaping, you might be intimidated by the thought of designing a garden for your entire yard. It's much easier to look at a window box and select three flowers for a small space. New gardeners can always turn to the local garden center for help. I've been known to put one of the window boxes in the back of our truck and drive on over. They garden center owner and employees can quickly show you several plants that will look great.
The Best Window Box Designs for Your House
by Digby_Adams
Window Boxes filled and overflowing with cascades of colorful flowers are the easiest way to create a warm and friendly house appearance.
Low-Maintenance Window Box Design
Let's start with some inspiration and see just how you can create a fabulous display with only three flowers. P. Allen Smith met with the staff at Stoneybrook Gardens in New Jersey. They recommend vibrant red geranium for a pop of upright color. A cascading torenia to fill in the bottom nicely. Tiny white bacopa plants add visual interest and texture. You should check with your own local garden center to see what they recommend for your climate.
Measure Your Windows
This might seem like an obvious place to start, but you should measure your window to find out the proper window box size that you need. If you live in a new house, you shouldn't have a problem. The builders probably used standard window frames. If you're like me and live in a 200-year-old house, this could be more of an adventure! My windows are non-standard sizes and vary depending on the century that particular part of the house was built or renovated.
Dynamic Design Medallion Delux Poly Window Box
Dynamic Design MB3612SD Medallion Deluxe 36-Inch Poly Window Box wi... |
The Dynamic Design Medallion Deluxe Poly Window Box shown above is a great window box to consider. The first feature is that it comes in 3 sizes 24-inch, 30-inch, and 36-inch. You can also choose from 4 colors - Sand, Terra Cotta, White, and Fern. It's also made from a very durable material, which is one of the main reasons that it's received such high praise from Amazon reviewers. These window boxes are also very light. Important if you need to get up on a ladder to install.
Decide on a Color for Your Window Box
Do you want your window box to blend in with your house color or do you want it to be another accent - like your window shutters? Personally my window boxes match my shutters and they are sized to run under both the shutters and window. I think that this creates a cohesive linear unit that can support the abundant numbers of flowers (lots of different textures and colors) that I like to plant in them.
Dynamic Design Hampton Snap-Fit Poly Rim Window Box
Dynamic Design HX2412DT Hampton 24-Inch Snap-Fit Poly Rim Window Bo... Only $20.23 |
The Dyanamic Design Hampton window box is on the smaller side. There are only two sizes available 20-inch and 24-inch. There are 3 options Dark Terra, Fern Green, and Oxford Tan. Of course, you're always free to paint these, which is what I do!
Do You Prefer a Formal or Casual Exterior Home Style?
Window boxes can really change the vibe of your home's exterior. So choose the style as carefully as you would your sofa or dining room table. The first two window box designs I showed you were pretty casual. The Mayne Fairfield Window Box to the right is definitely more formal. See the details that remind you of crown molding in your home? This also a much larger window box design, that is produced in 3-foot, 4-foot and 5-foot lengths. It comes in three basic colors black, tan and white. It also has a special irrigation system that will help your plants take root and keep them watered for an extended period of time. Mounting brackets are also included in the price.
Mayne Fairfield Window Box Planter
Mayne Fairfield 5824B Window Box Planter, 5-Foot, Black Only $117.98 |
Window boxes aren't just for summer flowers. I love to plant Autumn hues in September and by mid-October I'm using window boxes as Halloween props. In November I take out the spooky accessories and prepare for Thanksgiving. Once the cold weather of December has arrived my window boxes are filled with evergreens and sparkling garlands.
The Mayne Yorkshire Window Box is both formal and modern. It only comes in white, but does have a large variety of sizes available. You can choose from 2-foot, 3-foot, 4-foot, 5-foot, and even 6-foot. The last size is big enough to put under several windows, if you have a grouping similar to what you see in the picture to the right. These window box panels can even be cut to the precise size that you need them. Wall brackets with the screws are also included. As with many other Mayne window boxes, there is a special irrigation system that helps keep your plants moist.
Some folks take their window boxes down for the winter and turn them on their side or storing them in a shed. This prevents water from accumulating in them, freezing, and damaging them. I agree that this is very practical. I just think my house looks so barren with no window boxes.
Mayne Yorkshire Window Box Planter, White
Mayne Yorkshire 4826W Window Box Planter, 6-Foot, White Only $151.8 |
More Window Box Options
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Achla Designs VFB-06 Galvanized Tin W... Only $56.79 | Panacea Products Flat Iron Series 30-... | Achla Designs C-82C Galvanized Tin Fl... |
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