Indoor planter boxes are a stylish and practical way to bring nature indoors. From lush foliage to vibrant blooms, these versatile containers offer a simple solution for transforming your home into a lively, rejuvenating oasis.
Aussies love our indoor plants – they bring the outdoors in, provide natural air purification, and come in a wide variety of colours and styles that can enhance any design aesthetic.
The same can be said for indoor planter boxes. From stark and architectural to retro or wooden country cottage charm, planter boxes can provide more than home for your indoor greenery, adding a design element that’s a little bit different.
Taelar and Ellie, the Dream Home sisters behind the brick planter boxes in Hannah and Jonny’s 1950s Coorparoo weatherboard home, were inspired by one of the most prominent design features on the couple had included on their wish-list – some featured brick.
“Their [Hannah and Jonny’s] inspiration images showed exposed brick in most photos as wall and floor finishes, but their home did not feature any. We chose to use our winnings for the week to deliver on their brief with a feature brick planter that was the perfect merge between mid-century modern and Palm Springs.
“We thought having an amazing architectural feature in the entry would really define the zone and give the entry the punch it needed.”
While entryways are a great spot for a planter, ensure the location for your planter has plenty of natural sunlight and that the floor can support the weight of the bricks and soil. And, consider hiring an expert – water damage can be an expensive mistake to fix.
Taelar and Ellie
Before getting started, knowing your space and desired style is crucial to a great result. 
With their planter box, the sisters said the entry was a tight space, and it was very clear it was going to be a tough space to make a big impact in and set the tone for the home.
“We chose a Palm Springs style brick to create the raised built-in planter and bench seat, and had it wrap under the stairs.”
Once you’ve landed on the design you want, picking the right bricks to bring the look to life is crucial. And if you’re inexperienced with bricklaying, this is the ideal stage to bring in a tradie – they can help you with brick selection before the build even begins.
For Taeler and Ellie, finding an experienced architectural bricklayer on hipages was integral to getting the details of the planter right.
“Our brickie was also very helpful when trying to source materials and was dedicated to getting the exact colour and finish we wanted.”
DIY-ing? Now is the time to decide on the dimensions of your planter box. If you’re struggling to visualise it, grab some cardboard boxes and stage them to scale in the space you’ve chosen – make sure you take accurate measurements once you’ve settled on your design.
From here, you’ll need to source:
Once you’ve cleaned the area, you’re ready to start applying mortar where the first layer of bricks will go, using a trowel to spread it evenly. Place the bricks on the mortar, pressing them firmly and use a level to ensure they are even.
Continue laying bricks, applying mortar generously and evenly between each brick and between each layer. Stagger the bricks in each row (like building a wall) to ensure stability, using your level frequently to keep the walls even. Hiptip: Ensure the mortar joints between the bricks are fully sealed and smooth as gaps or cracks can allow water to escape.
Taeler and Ellie say this was one of the most crucial stages where they relied most heavily on their tradie.
“On such a high-impact feature, it was so important to get the brick heights, layouts, and pattern perfect. Working with the bricklayer on placement, pattern, and brick set out was fundamental to the finished feature. For example, we had to consider the sides and top of the planter to make it look hand crafted.”
Once your mortar has had time to cure completely (typically 48-72 hours), line the bottom and sides of the planter with a waterproof liner, place a layer of gravel at the bottom of the planter to ensure proper drainage and fill with soil.
Now you are ready to plant your greenery.
Dreaming of your own home reno and have a question or two? Ask Sarah, your AI home improvement advisor. From interior design features, a full-scale overhaul to which top-notch tradies you need to get the job done right.
Yates recommends easy care, hardy plants that are happy to live indoors, including:
On average, bricklayers charge between $58 and $110 per hour. The cost will depend on the type of work involved in the project. A more challenging project will cost more per hour than a simpler project.
Some examples of projects that might cost more include:
The complexity of a project will also cost more. Some projects are fairly straightforward, but when curves and other more complex designs are added to the equation, the cost per hour will be higher.
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