How to make easy temporary DIY String Light Pole / Post Planters for your outdoor living space! Welcome to SWEETHAUTE, I'm sharing with you our new patio's DIY String Light Pole/ Post Planters that we made with amazing Jim Beam Whiskey Wine Barrels. Believe it or not...these wine barrels actually smelled amazingly earthy; just like the strong, rich, aged whiskey spirits which were stored in these beauties. These outdoor DIY string light pole planters can be done in 1 weekend or 1 day. They were easy to put together yet they make a huge impact on an outdoor living space!
We actually were working with a concrete slab that was already in place at our new house. The home that we are currently living in came with an outdoor patio cement slab that is adjacent to a main living area of my house that 'NEEDS' all the natural light it can get. I didn't build this house or else I would've added a few more windows, transoms, french doors etc, moved some elements around. This was an inventory home on a great side of town with amazing schools so we jumped on it when we saw the price point square footage ratio. We got an incredible deal but there are many things we'd like to change to make it fit our needs and make it our home. I didn't want to add a patio cover or a pergola because of the natural light factor. I need as much light as I can get there.
I also really, really wanted string lights in my back patio area for gatherings, and ambiance during parties + bbqs. I like this option because it's temporary, not attached to the house, and no digging {permits} or calling utility company to mark required. Fast because no building permits for a patio cover or attached pergola. I already had landscape lights back there and the patio came with 1 backdoor porch light but that was it for lighting. We had a shed, grill, and trampoline out there that we wanted to make more user friendly and change the vibe into more our style. Before that it was a stark patio with no seating and little to no landscaping. We used 10 foot poles to keep them the same height as our 1st floor roof line!
You will need 2-3 people to help, definitely is {at least} a 2 people project to be safe. Do NOT attempt alone unless you are an engineering + construction expert.
Supplies:
Outdoor String Lights
- 3 -4 Strands
Wood Wine Barrels | Whiskey Bourbon Barrel or {other} Planter Base
- Resin Barrels
Wood Posts- 10ft 4x4
Cement Concrete- quick set
- (3) Bags per planter
Corner Brackets/fasteners (for posts)
- per wood post
Deck Screws
Hooks/fasteners (for string lights)
Pavers 24 x 24inch
Potting Soil Mix
Flowers
Plants
Cordless Drill
Electrical Tape
Level
Ladder
Optional:
Bottle Opens, bottle cap collection
Post Caps
Paint
Step 1:
Level and place on a paver, concrete patio, or the area you've prepped for this space. We didn't want to use the space on the existing cement patio concrete slab to accommodate the area needed for each wine barrel planter. On the outer border of patio we added a huge concrete paver under each on after leveling the ground underneath. It made a big difference in the usable living space available...
Step 2:
Move the barrel and make sure it is where you intend on leaving it. It will be very difficult to move and maneuver after the next few steps. Move it now so there are no regrets later.
My whiskey wine barrels were already really, really, difficult to move while empty. Even buying them was a feat; rolling to register, loading them, and bringing to the backyard. I had to have another person help me carry them and I could hardly imagine moving them while they had a wooden post attached, cement, and potting soil in them.
Step 3:
Optional- Secure the hooks/ fastener now which will hold the lights up to avoid using a ladder later. This step can be done later but you'll need a ladder, yet you may need it later to install the string lights anyway. But instead of both the drill, screws, hooks hardware and later string lights you can take care of this step now while it's still on the ground.
Step 4:
SAFETY FIRST- For this step complete each WOOD barrel, one at a time! This method is for heavy duty wood barrels, not resin. {Resin will need a wooden support under each barrel to attach screws and posts to barrel.}
Attach the wood posts to the bottom of each planter wine barrels with sturdy corner brackets using the drill. DO NOT move on to next planter until you are done with {next step} the cement in each.
We did brackets, then cement, and dry. Then made the next planter. If you are DIY-ing 'doing it yourself' do not move on until the planter is safe to stand alone. We chose a thick wood post for our planters to withstand the wind {hurricane season} and so it wouldn't snap at the heavy base. These {so far} don't even move when there high winds.
Step 5:
SAFETY FIRST- Pour and mix concrete to set, 1 barrel planter at a time. Tie to stabilize it while drying. DO NOT move on until each barrel it 'safe.'
Step 6:
After cement is dry, drill hole about the concrete line to allow for drainage for the plants.
Step 7:
Planters are ready for 'potting' soil and plants. In each planter I opted for my most FAVORITE perennial plant in the world- 'Delosperma Cooperi.' It is a famous and very popular purple ice plant succulent that is commonly seen off the coast of my home state of California. I plant it at any home I live in and it is stunningly gorgeous, easy to care for and it spreads as beautiful ground cover or plant. It will eventually spill over each barrel like a vibrant waterfall.
DONE.
Side Notes: We made 3 barrel DIY planters yet we could've gotten away with only making two. You can only make 1 and do a 'v' shape light string situation. So price may vary depending on your needs. My supplies are from Home Depot if you want the exact materials. The whiskey barrels online are about $64-70 each, when I purchased 'in-person' they were $45 each + pro discounts. Most of the materials can be easily found online, order ahead + pick up curbside/ shipped directly to your door.
The entire project for me was about $170-200 dollars which is way less expensive and less permanent than a pergola etc. to achieve the same look without taking away my natural light into the home. The trees on our property are also new so we couldn't hang from mature trees either. This was the perfect solution!
SO Delighted.
Now you're ready for sparkling light nights and cozy backyard living dreams! I hope you enjoyed this project, please let me know down in the comments that you've visited, what you think, if you try this project out, and if you have any questions. Have a wonderful DIY Spring and Summer!!
My helper next to me for the night time photos :)!
Sources:
Fire Pit -
Home Depot-
Fire Pit cover - Hampton Bay
Home Depot
Landscape Lights
Beach Adirondack Chairs - Costco $79 each
Beach Adirondack Tables- $20 set of two
Patio Furniture Set - Better Homes and Garden $1000
Accent Pillows - Target, Better Homes and Garden Walmart $9
Planters/ Pots - Target
Nesting Tables - Walmart
Outdoor String Lights Target
$16
Wine Barrels | or {other} Planter Base - Home Depot $49
Wood Posts 10ft 4x4 - Home Depot
Post Caps - Home Depot
Umbrella Base- Costco $45
Ibiza Black and White Stripe Rug- Better Homes and Gardens $49.88
