How to use large planters to enhance your outdoor (and indoor) spaces

Whether they’re creating a sophisticated entrance, demarcating a walkway or simply drawing attention to a focal point, large outdoor planters will always make a statement.

Large planters allow you to introduce colours, textures and styles into outdoor spaces like courtyards and gardens – as well as various indoor spaces. Thanks to their size, they can host a variety of plants, hedges and even trees while creating extra interest with their elevated status. Join Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty as we take a deep “dig” into how large planters can enhance your home’s exterior and value.

What are the different types of planters?

When choosing your planters, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of the various types available. Many people choose ceramic planters for their attractive look and natural aesthetic. Other advantages include their durability and the fact that they provide excellent breathability for roots.

Wooden planters blend naturally into your garden and provide good insulation and drainage. The main disadvantage of wooden planters is that they can decay over time and require more maintenance than other planters.

Although perhaps a more unusual choice, metal planters can add a touch of industrial chic to your garden or home. They are best suited for shady spots, because metal traps heat, which could potentially damage plant roots.

Fibreglass planters are becoming increasingly popular. They are well loved for their lightweight nature, sophisticated look and imperviousness to weather changes. On the downside, they are likely to be more expensive than other types of planters and are prone to chip or crack over time.

How to fill an outdoor planter

Here’s the first thing to consider when filling a large outdoor planter: do you want to fill the entire space with soil, or do you want to use filler materials? On the one hand, from a plant’s perspective, there’s no such thing as too much potting soil. On the other hand, using filler materials can save you money and also make the planter lighter and easier to move around. Wood chips and pinecones make great natural choices for those looking for lightweight pot fillers.

When it comes to choosing what to plant in your planters, your only limit is your imagination. If you’re looking for low-maintenance planters, succulents are a great choice as they need very little watering and care. Other low-maintenance options that can add an abundance of beauty to your large planter pots include lavender, hydrangeas, tomato plants and violas.

Whatever you choose to plant, from flowering annuals to herbs and vegetables, it’s imperative that your planter has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

Indoor and outdoor planters

Large planters can make a big impact not only in your garden but in carefully chosen areas of your home as well. Here are some examples of where large plant pots can be placed inside for maximum effect:

• A large planter on either side of a wall-mounted TV or projector creates eye-catching symmetry.
• Large planters can make a statement in your entrance hall or, if space allows, on either side of the base of a flight of stairs.
• If strategically placed in your living room, a large planter can become a focal point within a biophilic décor scheme.

Your home should inspire you

Large planters will add definition to your indoor and outdoor spaces. If you’re looking for a home that’s ready for a new decorative touch or a renovator’s eye, then get in touch with Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty today.