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15 Easy & Inexpensive DIY Planters for Your Dorm

Spring has arrived! While you’re avoiding your spring cleaning, why not do something a little more fun and lighten up your home with some greenery? One of the best things about adding plants to your living space is putting them in adorable planters, but those tend to add up. That’s where we come in—we’ve rounded up the cutest (and easiest to make) planters so you can give your new plant babies their own stylish homes.

1. Clothespin Planters


You can make this planter entirely from items you already have lying around. Now, you can give them new purpose and get a minimalist planter in return.

2. Handmade Clay Pots


The possibilities for these planters are endless. Luckily, they’re easy enough to make that you can try every single variation! Plus, buy clay in different colors to further personalize your creations.

3. Milk Carton Hanging Planter


This planter nails the shabby-chic look without breaking the bank, and there’s room for personalization, too. The hanging aspect allows your plants to grow out of the planter, making your room feel like the canopy of a forest.

4. Tea Tin Herb Planters


If you’re secretly a grandma who can’t get enough tea, why not give the cute tins a fresh function once they’re empty? They certainly look like something you would buy at Urban Outfitters but without the steep price tag; your friends will be totally fooled!

5. Mini Wine Cork Planters


For your baby plants, like smaller succulents and cacti, try these adorable miniature planters. You can even add magnets to the back and display them on your fridge!

6. Instant Herb Garden


Turn your tabletop into a rustic herb garden (or a desert full of cacti—whichever you prefer!) with a DIY that’s incredibly easy to tackle. This is definitely a craft that Lauren Conrad would approve of.

7. Plastic Animal Planters


Liven up any bookshelf or desk by dressing up a few of your favorite animals with some flora. These also make for a great gift.

8. Floppy Disk Planters


This one’s for the lover of all things retro! How cool is it to make a home for your plants out of the ghosts of past technology? Guess you’ll have to find out.

9. Tea Cup Planter


Here’s one more DIY for the tea addicts out there. These are just too adorable to pass up. Use your favorite chipped teacup or buy some from antique shops for a bargain!

Related: 15 Ways to Customize Your Spring Break Bottle

10. Bike Planter


While this technically isn’t a DIY, you can definitely use this product as inspiration to deck out your bike with a cute plant buddy—one that can join you while you run errands or ride around campus!

11. Book Planters


The next time you see a pile of old, dusty books, grab them and make these super unique planters. 

12. Ice Cream Dish Planters


These will make your plants look like royalty. You can only fit one plant in each, but this definitely works as an accent piece, especially when you spray paint the dishes.

13. Shell-Potted Succulents


This is like making your own mini terrarium without the hassle or massive amount of supplies. The next time you take a beach trip look out for this type of shell. It’s the perfect souvenir—you’ll remember your trip while giving your plants a cute place to thrive.

14. Spray Paint Succulent Pots


If you’re more of a painter, grab your spray paints and some plain planters and go crazy! This geometric style will fit in just about anywhere.

15. Marbleized Planter


This DIY screams springtime, and it’s surprisingly easy to make with just spray paint and water!

Emma is a freshman at Pennsylvania State University working towards a BS in Art Education and a BA in Drawing & Painting. Along with her love of art, she has always had a passion for writing and hopes to continue to write during and after college. Emma is an avid tea drinker, and enjoys taking pictures of nice sunsets, talking too loud, and getting too into TV shows like Gossip Girl, Friends, and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt! Follow her on Twitter- @emmakarpinskiii