Weekend DIY Home Project

There is nothing quite like plucking fresh basil, mint, or thyme right from your own home garden while cooking! If you are looking to maximize small spaces—like a sunny balcony, patio, or kitchen corner—this vertical herb planter ladder is the perfect weekend project. It’s light, stylish, and easily customizable.

Project Overview

• Estimated Time: 3–5 hours (plus finish/dry time)
• Skill Level: Beginner
• Estimated Cost: $40–$60

Materials & Tools

Materials

• Untreated Cedar or Redwood 1x4 Boards: 3 pieces (8 feet long each) — Cedar and redwood naturally resist rot and insects without toxic chemicals.
• 1x2 Cedar Board: 1 piece (8 feet long) — For planter box cleats/supports.
• 1-1/4 inch Exterior Wood Screws (Kreg or standard)
• 1-5/8 inch Exterior Trim Screws
• Landscape Fabric (1 roll)
• Potting Soil & Fresh Herb Starts
• Exterior Clear Sealer or Teak Oil (Optional, food-safe if finishing)

Tools

• Miter saw or hand saw
• Cordless drill with driver bits and drill bits
• Tape measure & pencil
• Carpenter's square
• Safety glasses and ear protection
• Staple gun with 3/8-inch staples
• Sandpaper (120-grit and 220-grit)

Safety First!

1. Eye & Ear Protection: Wear safety glasses and hearing protection whenever operating power tools.
2. Dust Mask: Wear a mask when sanding or cutting wood, especially outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
3. Pre-Drill Holes: Cedar can split easily; always pre-drill pilot holes before driving screws near board ends.

Cut List

A-Frame Ladder Sides:

• (2) 1x4 at 48 inches (Front Legs, angled at 15° on top and bottom)
• (2) 1x4 at 44 inches (Back Support Legs, angled at 15° on top)

Planter Boxes (3 Boxes Total):

• Front & Back Panels: (6) 1x4 at 18 inches
• Side Caps: (6) 1x4 at 5.5 inches
• Bottom Slats: (3) 1x4 at 16.5 inches
• Internal Support Cleats: (6) 1x2 at 4 inches

Step-by-Step Assembly

Step 1: Prep and Sand the Wood

Give all your cut pieces a thorough sanding with 120-grit sandpaper to remove sharp edges or splinters, then finish with 220-grit for a smooth tactile feel. Wipe away dust with a tack cloth.

Step 2: Build the Planter Boxes

1. Take two 18-inch front/back pieces and two 5.5-inch side caps.
2. Attach the side caps inside the front/back panels using pre-drilled holes and 1-5/8 inch exterior screws to form a rectangular frame.
3. Insert the 16.5-inch bottom slat into the bottom of the frame. Pre-drill and secure it from the outside bottom edges. Tip: Leave a tiny 1/8-inch gap on either side of the bottom slat for drainage.
4. Repeat this for all 3 planter boxes.

Step 3: Drill Drainage Holes & Line Boxes

1. Drill 4–5 small (1/4-inch) drainage holes in the bottom board of each box.
2. Cut pieces of landscape fabric to line the inside of each planter box. Staple the fabric along the top interior rim. This holds soil in place while letting excess water drain freely.

Step 4: Assemble the Ladder Sides

1. Lay two 48-inch front legs parallel on your workbench.
2. Measure and mark ladder shelf heights from the bottom up: 8 inches, 22 inches, and 36 inches.
3. Pre-drill and attach 1x2 support cleats horizontally at these marks using 1-1/4 inch screws.

Step 5: Attach Planter Boxes to Frame

1. Rest the three planter boxes onto the horizontal cleats.
2. Drive 1-5/8 inch screws from the outside of the ladder legs directly into the sides of the planter boxes. Use a carpenter's square to ensure everything stays plumb and level.

Step 6: Attach Back Support Legs

1. Attach the 44-inch back legs to the inside top of the front legs using a sturdy bolt or screw pivot point, creating an A-frame stance that leans back slightly for maximum light exposure.

Step 7: Finish & Plant!

1. Apply a coat of non-toxic exterior sealer or teak oil if desired to preserve the warm wood tones.
2. Once dry, fill the boxes with high-quality organic potting soil mix.
3. Plant your favorite herbs! Put taller herbs (like rosemary or basil) on the top tier, and trailing herbs (like mint or thyme) in the lower tiers.

Maintenance Tip

Position your planter ladder where it gets 6+ hours of sunlight daily. Cedar will naturally weather to a beautiful silver patina over time if left untreated. Enjoy your fresh home-grown harvests!

Weekend DIY: Rustic Wooden Entryway Shelf with Key Hooks

Estimated Time: 4–6 hours (plus finish drying time)
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate Estimated Cost: $35–$55

An cluttered entryway sets a chaotic tone for the entire house. This weekend project helps you craft a sturdy, stylish wall-mounted organizer complete with a top mail/display shelf, a recessed ledge, and heavy-duty coat and key hooks.

Materials List

• Lumber:
  • 1x6 Common Board (Pine or Cedar), 6 feet long (Backing board and shelf top)
  • 1x4 Common Board, 6 feet long (Front ledge and shelf support)
• Hardware & Fasteners:
  • 1 ¼-inch pocket hole screws (or standard 1 ½-inch wood screws)
  • Wood glue (Titebond II or similar)
  • 4–5 Matte black coat/key hooks with matching screws
  • 2 Heavy-duty keyhole hangers or 3-inch drywall/stud screws for wall mounting
• Finishing Supplies:
  • 120-grit and 220-grit sandpaper
  • Wood stain (e.g., Early American, Dark Walnut, or Weathered Gray) or interior latex paint
  • Clear polyurethane or protective wax finish
  • Tack cloth or microfibre rag

Tools Needed

• Miter saw or circular saw (a hand saw and miter box works fine too)
• Cordless drill and driver bits
• Pocket hole jig (optional, but yields invisible joints)
• Clamps (at least two 12-inch bar clamps)
• Orbital sander (or sanding block)
• Tape measure and speed square
• Bubble level and stud finder (for installation)
• Safety glasses and dust mask

Safety First ⚠️

• Always wear eye protection when cutting or drilling.
• Use a dust mask when sanding lumber or applying oil-based stains in enclosed spaces.
• Work in a well-ventilated area, especially during the staining/drying phases.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make Your Cuts

Measure carefully and mark your cuts using a speed square to ensure straight lines:

• Back Panel: Cut one piece of 1x6 board to 28 inches.
• Top Shelf: Cut one piece of 1x6 board to 28 inches.
• Front Rail (Ledge): Cut one piece of 1x4 board to 28 inches.
• Side Caps: Cut two pieces of 1x4 board to 5.5 inches (matches the width of the top shelf).

Step 2: Sand the Individual Pieces

It is far easier to sand before assembly:

1. Run over all faces and edges with 120-grit sandpaper to remove rough spots or mill stamps.
2. Follow up with 220-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.
3. Wipe off all sawdust using a damp cloth or tack rag.

Step 3: Drill Pocket Holes & Pre-Assemble

1. Drill pocket holes along the top back edge of the main back panel, facing toward the rear so they will be hidden against the wall.
2. Apply a thin line of wood glue along the top edge of the back panel.
3. Clamp the top shelf piece flush against the back panel at a 90-degree angle.
4. Drive 1 ¼-inch screws through the pocket holes to join the top shelf firmly to the back panel.

(Note: If you don't have a pocket hole jig, pre-drill pilot holes from the top of the shelf down into the back panel and countersink standard wood screws).

Step 4: Attach the Ledge and Side Caps

1. Glue and clamp the front rail (1x4) to the front edge of the top shelf to create a shallow lip that keeps mail or picture frames from sliding off.
2. Secure with small finish nails or trim screws.
3. Attach side caps if you prefer a fully enclosed box design, or leave the profile open for a sleeker floating look.

Step 5: Stain or Paint

1. Apply wood filler to any exposed nail/screw heads if painting (skip if staining unless using stainable filler).
2. Apply your choice of stain using a clean rag or foam brush. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, then wipe away excess in the direction of the wood grain.
3. Allow stain to dry completely (4–6 hours).
4. Apply 1–2 coats of clear polyurethane or finishing wax to protect against moisture from wet coats and umbrellas.

Step 6: Install Hardware

1. Evenly space your hooks along the lower portion of the back panel. (For a 28-inch board, placing 4 hooks spaced approximately 6 inches apart yields a balanced look).
2. Mark screw pilot holes, pre-drill to avoid splitting the wood, and secure hooks with short wood screws.

Step 7: Mount to the Wall

1. Locate studs on your entry wall using a stud finder.
2. Pre-drill two countersunk holes through the back panel directly matching your stud locations.
3. Hold the organizer up, check for level with a bubble level, and drive 3-inch wood screws straight through into the wall studs for maximum weight support.
4. Alternatively, install heavy-duty keyhole brackets on the rear for completely concealed hanging (ensure heavy anchors are used if studs aren't aligned).

Customization Tips

• Mason Jar Planter Add-on: Attach a small hose clamp to one side to hold a glass jar for fresh flowers or pens.
• Chalkboard Section: Paint a 6-inch section of the backing board with chalkboard paint for daily quick notes or reminders.