Charm Up Your House With Windowboxes
Plant Some Living Color Right Outside Your Window
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Adding a windowbox is hands-down the easiest way to add curb appeal to your home; in fact, you could hang a windowbox on a lean-to and it would be instantly transformed into a charming structure. I have a theory that somewhere in our souls we associate them with fairy tales and enchanted cottages in the forest. Whatever the reason, these boxes add a mini garden, an architectural element, and a big dose of welcoming friendliness to a home. Let's have a look.
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| A bright contrast in plant colors, such as these lime-green sweet potato vines next to burgundy blooms, can completely transform the color scheme of your exterior. |
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| In fact, this designer included pictures of the same windowbox a with different plant palette, which completely tranformed the look of this home's facade. |
| The cheerful flowers in the windowboxes and European style shutters on this home adds loads of style. |
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| I can't do a windowbox ideabook without including this shot from my aunt and uncle's house in the Berkshires. The builder cleverly built three of them into the deck railings. |
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| Look at the detailing on this windowbox. It makes it appear as if it is part of the window trim. The glossy paint choice is a nice one; there's a balance between the box and the flowers inside. |
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| Red and white cafe chairs pick up on the burst of color provided by the geraniums. Think about coordinating your outdoor furniture with your blooms. |
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| Speaking of coordinating colors, the choice of blooms here appears to have been inspired by the trim. |
Another Connecticut charmer on the same street. The bright green paint color on the boxes and screen door, as well as the flowers, lend miles of charm to this home. There is no rule that says you need to coordinate your boxes with the rest of the paint trim; you may choose to have them stand out on their own.
Depending on your climate and the plants you choose, windowboxes can be changed out seasonally. In New England, pansies can survive in the springtime, a wide range of perennials and annuals work in the summer, and by fall you can add cabbages and mums. By the way, do you think the cut-outs on the shutters are trees or some sort of broccoli? Let me know what you think they are in the comments section.
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| I would wager that Oak Bluffs, MA has more windowboxes and hanging plants per square foot than anywhere else on earth. |
Another Oak Bluffs cottage has floral cutouts on the railings,and floral carvings on the windowboxes themselves. While you can use a windowbox to add ornamentation to a simple facade, here they are ornament on top of ornament on top of ornament!
| Adding windowboxes can give new construction a few years in age. Add a few more hanging plants and rocking chairs, and people will start to wonder if this is a new build or a turn of the century home. |
The cascading blooms in this windowbox make this one very friendly garage. That's another great thing to keep in mind; that windowboxes are a great way to make your home more welcoming.
If you want to keep your home to a color palette that doesn't include bright floral hues, you don't have to miss out. You can use evergreens and other plants without flowers in your boxes.
Next photo: Three readymade window boxes you can try at home.
Next photo: Three readymade window boxes you can try at home.
by Grandin Road
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This box adds the gorgeous metallic shine of copper. Its patina will change over time.
If you aren't quite ready to emulate my aunt by re-doing your railings, you can get a similar effect with this planter, which attaches to the top.
by Williams-Sonoma
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If you have a wide window ledge or railing you can simply put this box on top of it, and it will add those nice molding details to your exterior.
Also, herbs are another good choice for windowboxes; if you have a box planted like this right outside your kitchen window, you'll always have a fresh sprig of rosemary or a basil leaf within an arm's reach.
Have you tried windowbox gardening? What are some of your favorite plants to use?
More:
DIY Project: Mobile Container Garden
Container Garden Inspiration
Also, herbs are another good choice for windowboxes; if you have a box planted like this right outside your kitchen window, you'll always have a fresh sprig of rosemary or a basil leaf within an arm's reach.
Have you tried windowbox gardening? What are some of your favorite plants to use?
More:
DIY Project: Mobile Container Garden
Container Garden Inspiration
Ideabook updated on May 2, 2011.
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I agree with you Becky, there is something fairy tale/cottage-like that we all love about window boxes!
http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/04/beautiful-window-boxes.html
Next tips involve maintaing your window box. No one wants to have to climb a ladder or hang out a window to water. Simply attach a splitter to your outdoor spigot and then add a faucet timer and drip lines. I order in my drip lines because I want the color to match my house trim/body color so the lines "disappear". Add slow release fertilizer in with the soil as your planting in order to support growth and flowers all season. If you are in dry climate you can also add water absorbing crystals (also found in diapers) to your soil.
Last tip, remember to plant material that is best suited to your area, sun exposure and that best matches the architecture of your home.