10 upcycle ideas for garden planters

The old adage really is true. One man's trash is another man's treasure. Nothing exemplifies this truth more than the current trend of upcycling. Upcycling involves taking an item that you were going to toss and instead transforming it into something new and notable. 

When people think about upcycling, most think of taking distressed furniture and revamping it. But there are other ways to upcycle. You can take everyday items and transform them into beautiful things you never would have thought they could become, such as garden planters. 

Keep reading to see our list of 10 common things you can use to turn into unique garden planters. 

An old rusty bicycle makes for a rustic planter. Park the bike in front of a tree or something in your yard that will prop it up, attach planters to the bike and fill with flowers. It's so simple to do and so charming. 

If you've got an old tricycle, you can easily make this planter. Blogger and gardener Judy Sturman said she purchased this old trike from an estate sale for $10. Sturman slapped some pink paint all over the rusty trike and attached planters to the handlebars, seat area and back of the tricycle.

Old toys can also make lovely little planters. Take an old toy vehicle, preferably a pickup truck, and add stones for drainage, potting soil and a plant. 

If you've got a fountain on your property, but you're not using it, convert it into a planter. This planter contains a variety of succulents in different colors. 

Old dresser drawers as planters? Who knew? To get this look, take drawers from an old dresser and drill holes in the bottom. Then add your soil and drainage materials. Next, add your flowers or succulents and you're all done. 

The designers at Hometalk took an old dresser, painted it a vibrant yellow and stuck potted plants into the drawers and top to create a stunning outdoor accessory. 

An old tire can make a great planter as well. All you have to do is paint it, add drainage holes and soil along with some plants and you have an interesting conversation piece. The folks at DIY Show Off crafted this piece that looks stunning as an outdoor wall ornament.

Barbecue grills aren't usually used as planters, but when they are, they look amazing. If you have an old grill, paint it a bright color so that it pops and add soil and a plant to achieve this look. 

Garage Sale Gal has a house full of interesting plant curios. One of her coolest planters is made out of an antique bathtub. A board covers half of the bathtub to create a usable table. The exposed ends have potted plants tucked inside. 

Most people have luggage they aren't using anymore. Instead of tossing that lime green suitcase, fill it with dirt and plants and stick it outside in your garden.