I thought I’d share one of my favorite home updates that totally changed the look of our house this year. Window boxes!
Let’s start with a little before and after…
house exterior before window boxes installation, looking plain and flat house exterior after window boxes installation, with colorful flowers adding dimension and charm
And yes, it took us about a weekend to get these bad boys installed. We worked on this project over a Saturday and Sunday, mostly because my husband insisted on painting the boxes to match our shutters perfectly.
It was totally worth the effort though. Our neighbors keep stopping to chat about them when they walk by!
Why Window Boxes Work Wonders
Our house always felt a little flat from the street. We had some nice landscaping, but something was missing. It needed some dimension and color up higher.
Window boxes were the answer! They bring the eye up from ground level and create this amazing layered look. Plus, they’re way less permanent than major renovations but make almost as big an impact.
Studies show that homes with thoughtful landscaping and curb appeal can increase property values by 5-12%. But honestly, I didn’t do it for that. I did it because I wanted to smile every time I pulled into our driveway.
How to Choose the Right Window Boxes
When we started looking at window boxes, I got totally overwhelmed. There are so many options!
We ended up going with wood boxes because they matched our home’s traditional style. But you’ve got lots of choices:
Wood boxes have that classic charm but need more maintenance. We sealed ours really well and they’ve held up great for two seasons now.
Vinyl or PVC boxes are super practical. My sister has these and hasn’t had to do anything to them in years.
Metal boxes give that gorgeous cottage or farmhouse look. My neighbor has copper ones that have aged into this beautiful patina.
Fiberglass or composite boxes look like wood or stone but weigh way less. These are perfect if you have big windows.
When picking the boxes, I brought home paint swatches of our shutters and front door to make sure everything would coordinate. Trust me, this little step saved us from making a costly mistake!
I also used use window box liners to help protect the container and make cleanup and replanting easier.
Seasonal Themes to Keep Your Home Looking Fresh
One thing I absolutely love about our window boxes is how they change with the seasons. It’s like getting a new look for your house four times a year!
Go Fresh and Floral for Spring
window box filled with pink tulips, white daisies, and trailing ivy
Spring is all about fresh starts! After winter, I can’t wait to get my hands in some dirt.
For our spring boxes, I use lots of bulbs like tulips and daffodils that I plant in the fall. Then I add pansies because they can handle those surprise cold snaps we always seem to get in April.
Last spring I tried this combo that worked amazingly well:
- Purple and yellow pansies
- White alyssum for that gorgeous spilling effect
- Some early herbs like thyme and mint that smell amazing when the breeze hits them
The neighbors asked if I hired a gardener. Nope! Just me with about $30 worth of plants from the garden center.
Create Bold Impression on Summer
summer window box overflowing with red geraniums, blue lobelia, and white bacopa
Summer is when window boxes really shine! This is when you can go bold with colors.
Our front of the house gets pretty strong afternoon sun, so I stick with heat-lovers like:
- Red geraniums
- Purple wave petunias
- Sweet potato vine that grows like crazy and spills over the sides
I water these about every other day during hot spells, usually while sipping my morning coffee. It’s become a little ritual I actually look forward to.
Last summer, my husband rigged up a simple drip system when we went on vacation for two weeks. It was super easy and saved our plants during that July heat wave!
Give Warm and Rustic Touch of Fall
fall window box with ornamental kale, mums, and ornamental grasses
When summer flowers start looking tired, it’s time for a fall refresh!
I love using:
- Mums in burgundy and gold
- Ornamental cabbage and kale
- Pansies again, which actually perk back up in cooler weather
Last fall, I added some small pumpkins and gourds to the boxes. My daughter helped arrange them, and she was so proud every time someone complimented “her” decorations.
Opt for Evergreens for Winters
winter window box with evergreen branches, red berries, and pine cones
Winter window boxes might be my secret favorite. They look so classy with:
- Evergreen branches from our Christmas tree trimmings
- Red dogwood branches
- Fake berries and pine cones
Here’s a mom hack: I use fake berries because the birds kept stealing the real ones! The little thieves were cute to watch though.
During December, we add battery-operated mini lights. They’re on a timer and come on at dusk. It makes the house look so welcoming when we come home after dark.
Some Design Tips to Instantly Enhance Curb Appeal
Mix Texture and Height
close-up of window box showing different heights and textures of plants
The most interesting window boxes have plants of different heights and textures. I always try to include:
- “Thrillers” – tall attention-grabbers in the back
- “Fillers” – bushy plants in the middle
- “Spillers” – trailing plants that hang over the front
This formula hasn’t failed me yet! Even my first attempts looked pretty professional using this trick.
Select the Right Size and Placement
Our windows are pretty standard sized, so we went with boxes that are about 80% of the window width. This proportion looks really natural.
For depth, you want enough soil to keep plants happy. We went with 8-inch deep boxes, which has been perfect for most plants.
Height-wise, make sure you can still open your windows! We mounted ours about 2 inches below the window sill.
Create a Focal Point
Every good design needs a focal point. In my window boxes, I usually put something with bold color or unusual shape front and center.
Last summer, I splurged on these gorgeous dragon wing begonias as my focal points. They bloomed literally from May until October!
Select brackets that complement your home’s style
Don’t forget about the brackets! These are like the jewelry for your window boxes.
We chose simple black iron brackets that match our porch light fixtures. The hardware store had some really ornate ones that were tempting, but I’m glad we went with something classic.
custom-made wooden brackets matching the window box material
My dad actually made custom brackets for my sister’s house out of the same wood as her boxes. They were so pretty she didn’t even paint them!
Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Appeal
Okay, let’s be real. Window boxes do need some love to keep looking good. Here’s what works for me:
I use potting soil mixed with those water-storing crystals. This has been a game changer for reducing how often I need to water.
woman adding organic fertilizer to window box soil
During peak growing season, I add liquid fertilizer every two weeks. I just do it when I water, so it doesn’t feel like an extra chore.
close-up of deadheaded flowers in window box
Deadheading spent blooms keeps everything looking fresh. I keep small scissors in a drawer by the front door and snip faded flowers while waiting for my kids to get their shoes on. Multitasking for the win!
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to pull out plants that aren’t thriving. One struggling plant can make the whole box look sad. I used to try to nurse every plant back to health, but now I’m much quicker to replace something that’s not working.
Conclusion
window boxes on house at sunset, creating a warm, welcoming impression
Our window boxes have completely transformed how our house looks from the street. For a relatively small investment of about $200 total for three boxes and maybe an hour of maintenance per week during growing season, it’s been one of our best home improvements.
They’ve also connected us more with our neighbors, who stop to chat about the flowers when they walk by. And my kids love helping choose new plants each season.
If you’re on the fence about adding window boxes, I say go for it! Start with just one if you’re nervous. You can always add more later, which is exactly what we did. We started with just the front windows, and now we’re planning to add them to our side porch too.
What a difference a weekend project makes! Our house went from being “the gray one on the corner” to “the one with those gorgeous flowers.” I couldn’t be happier with the result!
Do you have window boxes? I’d love to hear what plants work well in your area!
