Rather than sending them straight to the tip, old picture frames can be far more useful than many planters you’ll find in the shops. With a handful of screws, a bit of creativity and perhaps a quick coat of paint, they can become sturdy shelves, compact mini greenhouses and bright garden features that look intentionally made-not like leftovers.
From forgotten picture frames to hard-working garden kit
Picture frames often end up in a frustrating limbo: too decent to throw away, yet not quite right for the wall indoors. Many gardeners are getting around that by taking them outdoors and repurposing them among containers, beds and climbers.
"Turn a dusty frame into a plant shelf or greenhouse and you solve two problems at once: less waste, more growing space."
Timber frames usually provide exactly what you want for quick garden DIY: straight runs, square corners and, in some cases, intact glass. With straightforward skills and no specialist equipment, they can be adapted into:
- Suspended shelves for small houseplants or herbs
- Box planters for flowers, salad leaves and succulents
- Living “picture” frames packed with plants
- Mini greenhouses for seedlings
- Propagation displays for cuttings
- Hanging herb-drying racks
- Rustic garden signs
- Colourful wall art for fences and sheds
These projects are particularly handy in smaller UK gardens, rented patios and balconies, where using vertical space matters and permanent fittings can be inconvenient.
Turn old picture frames into plant-ready shelves and boxes
1. The simplest win: hanging plant shelf
A fast, low-effort upgrade can be made from one sturdy frame plus two lengths of twine.
Leave the glass in, fit a slim backing board behind it to stiffen the frame, then secure twine to the top rear corners. Once the adhesive or screws have fully set, the frame will sit flush against a wall or fence, with the glass acting as a narrow ledge for a lightweight pot.
"A single frame, a coil of twine and a trailing plant are enough to fill an empty wall with life."
This works well with small ferns, spider plants or string-of-pearls, as they remain relatively light and look dramatic as they cascade over the frame.
2. Framed box planter for flowers or salad leaves
If you have four frames of similar size, you can screw or glue them into a surprisingly robust planter box. Gardeners commonly:
- Position the frames upright and connect them along their vertical edges
- Reinforce the inner corners using small timber blocks
- Fix a wooden base beneath the structure
- Replace any glass with solid panels or decorative inserts
- Seal and paint the exterior to cope with rain and damp
After lining and filling with compost, the planter suits low-growing flowers, salad leaves or compact herbs. A plastic liner-or spare pieces of pond liner-helps stop constant moisture from soaking into the wooden sides.
3. Living plant picture frame (succulents)
For anyone who enjoys a more theatrical look, the “living frame” has become a standout favourite, particularly when planted with succulents.
A deep, box-style frame is backed with landscaping fabric, packed with compost, and then faced with a layer of mesh. Small slits are cut in the mesh, and succulent cuttings are tucked into the openings. Kept flat for a few weeks, the cuttings root into the compost; once established, the frame can be hung upright so it reads like a richly textured artwork made entirely from plants.
"A living frame turns a bare fence into a focal point and fits where pots simply won’t."
Mini greenhouses, cutting stations and herb racks made from picture frames
4. Tiny greenhouse made from six frames
UK weather is famously changeable, and young plants often need shelter from gusts and cold evenings. With six matching frames, you can build a glassy mini greenhouse that fits neatly on a table or a raised bed.
Gardeners often:
- Wash the frames and strip off old fittings
- Connect them with small hinges to create a cube or house-like shape
- Seal gaps using wood filler or epoxy
- Paint the exterior for longer life outdoors
- Secure the glass with silicone sealant
Used as a cloche, it provides just enough warmth and protection to help tomatoes, chillies or tender annuals establish more reliably.
5. Propagation display for kitchen windowsills
Anyone who takes cuttings regularly can end up with jars dotted all over the house. One picture frame can tidy the whole setup while still looking decorative.
Remove the glass and attach a wooden back panel to create a firm base. Drill a couple of small holes through the backing so wire or string can support a jar in front of the frame. With water and a stem cutting inside, it becomes a compact rooting station that works equally well on a wall or windowsill.
"Propagation frames let you raise new plants while treating the cuttings as part of the decor, not clutter."
6. Hanging herb-drying rack
If your herb bed is thriving, it’s easy to end up with more rosemary, thyme or sage than you can use fresh. Two wooden frames plus a piece of mesh can be turned into a simple drying solution.
Staple mesh across the back of each frame to make two shallow trays. Hang the top frame using ribbons or twine, then suspend the second frame beneath it with shorter lengths. Herb bundles can be laid directly on the mesh, or tied and hung from the frame edges so air circulates while they stay away from damp worktops and surfaces.
Frames as colourful garden decor
7. Rustic garden sign for sheds and gates
Empty frames also work well for light-hearted messages or seasonal notes. With chalk paint, gentle sanding for a distressed look, and a few extras such as faux flowers or ribbon, a frame can display a simple banner reading “Herb corner”, “Kids’ garden” or even your family name.
Because you can hang it from a hook or nail rather than drilling into brickwork, it’s ideal for renters or anyone keen to avoid marking shed doors and masonry.
8. Bright wall art from mismatched frames
Odd frames that don’t look right indoors often come into their own outdoors. Once the glass is removed and the frames are sprayed in bold colours, they become lightweight shapes you can arrange across fences, pergolas or trellis panels.
"Clusters of painted frames cost very little but add the kind of bold colour usually seen in designer garden makeovers."
Some people thread fairy lights through the group, or encourage climbers such as clematis and ivy to wind around the outlines. Others turn it into a family task by letting children choose the colours and decide on the arrangement, transforming a plain fence into a shared art project.
Quick reference: which frame suits which project?
| Frame type | Best use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small sturdy wooden frame | Hanging shelf, propagation station | Keep glass for shelves, remove for jars |
| Deep box-style frame | Living succulent picture | Needs mesh and landscape fabric |
| Matching medium frames | Planter box, mini greenhouse | Similar size gives stronger joints |
| Lightweight mixed frames | Wall art, garden signs | Painted or sprayed for effect |
Safety, longevity and small-garden tips
Before placing any frame outdoors, many gardeners run through three essentials: the condition of the wood, the safety of the glass, and the state of the fixings. Soft or rotten timber can fail quickly once it gets wet. Glass that isn’t secure may break in strong winds. Corroded screws and hooks can stain nearby brick, render or timber.
A quick sand followed by exterior paint or a wood preserver will help most frames last significantly longer. In households with children or pets, swapping glass for clear plastic on low-level projects reduces the chance of injury if anything gets knocked.
Where space is tight-particularly in cities-these projects make use of height rather than floor area. Frames can be hung from balcony railings, perched on narrow window ledges or fixed to the side of a small shed, which suits renters who want more planting space without leaving costly fixtures behind.
Extra ideas and practical scenarios
Some gardeners work these frame builds into seasonal habits. A mini greenhouse made from frames might cover early sowings in March, then later in summer be reused to shelter cuttings. A hanging herb-drying rack can even share the same hook as a hanging basket, swapped over as the seasons change.
Upcycling sessions are also popular as weekend activities for families. Children can pick plants for a living frame, paint frames intended for wall art, or help set out a fence “gallery”. The outcome is more than just lower-cost garden decor-it’s a part of the outdoor space that reflects the people who put it together.
A wider shift sits behind these small-scale projects. As household budgets come under pressure and worries about landfill increase, reusing items like picture frames is an easy, visible step. Every upcycled frame avoids a new purchase, reduces waste and creates another spot where plants can thrive.
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