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D.I.Y. concrete vase

Getting on board the industrial concrete trend by making these concrete vases over the weekend. Surprisingly very easy, using quick set concrete meant each one only took 15mins to make. Might spray paint the bottom with some metallic paints - what do you think?

Community manager's note: As Hannah's project has been so popular, our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert Mitch has created an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide How to make cement planter pots with a full list of tools and materials.

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Comments

Jason

They look fantastic! Well done @hannah. Many thanks for sharing.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. Looking forward to seeing what else you come up with.

Jason

maryanne

Wow! I'd love to try this myself!

Do you have any instructions you could share?

hannah

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/385#Comment_385

It's so easy @maryanne!

Materials:

Quick set cement

Plastic Milk bottle (we used a Paul's Farm House bottle to get this shape, cut the top off to your desired height)

Plastic Cup

WD-40

Rocks / Metal Fittings - something heavy to weigh the cup down

Directions:

Mix the cement in a bucket (follow instructions on the tub)

Lubricate the plastic milk bottle and plastic cup with the WD-40

Pour cement into the milk bottle, tap it down a few times to get some of the air out

Place the cup in the centre, place rocks or metal fittings in to weigh the cup down

Give it another couple of taps to settle the concrete and use a ruler to smooth the rim

Leave for about 15mins. Once dry simply twist the cup out from the middle and remove the plastic from the outside.

maryanne

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62512#Comment_62512

Thanks @hannah! I'm definitely going to give it a go!

ro-novation

Wow - these are awesome! I might give this project a crack myself. Thanks for the insructions!

I would try painting with a metallic finish. It would complement the industrial feel quite nicely. Maybe a small stripe down the base? I've just done a qick Google and it looks like someone has just done that - and it looks great!

ProjectPete

They look great. Now wait for the addiction to kick in 😉

_Marley_

These look great. Would love to try to make some.

snichols

These look fantastic. I would like to give it a try. Sounds very easy!

Many thanks for sharing.

Sarah

Kellie

Saw these triangular concrete vases on etsy. I think they are beautiful. Not sure what I could use for a triangular mould though...

joshrowe1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1088#Comment_1088

You could make the mould out of timber. I made a few things out of concrete using timber as the mould or inserts. Depending on how smooth the timber is and how you have created the mould, sometimes you don't even a release agent.

micsul

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1088#Comment_1088

Hi
Well done
One question for you
If you had these outside, would you not need a drainage hole at the bottom so you don't flood your plant?

Vickilee1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1088#Comment_1088

Hi just wondering where you got the pots from?

Brad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64109#Comment_64109

For an outdoor planter you would want a bottom drainage hole or for a water well style pot a side one.

Formply is what the pro's use for concreting and it can be screwed together so releasing is easy. You could carve into it or add on to make patterns but it would make releasing the mould more challenging.

To remove air bubbles you can use a concrete vibrator, for me I have to then have walls over 35mm thick to take the probe.

You can add oxides for colour typically red, black, white and browns and at home a floor was done in green.

Render is another option if you need to cover over sins in casting or for a different look.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64109#Comment_64109

@Vickilee1,

Welcome to Workshop and thanks for joining in the discussion. I trust you will find lots of inspiration and helpful information from our community members on the site.

Can you please clarify your question for us? I'm sorry but I wasn't sure which pots you were referring to.

Thanks again,

Jason

TradyEd48

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/385#Comment_385

Hi Jason,

living in Sydney here actual gardening space comes at a premium, yet having seen this ingenious idea with the milk bottles, I would assume that one could make deep concrete planters to replace those white grubby brocoli boxes to plant fruit and veges in?

I know one could actually make them from treated timber which can be a bit expensive and also flat back planters may be purchased also but this appears to be rather a more duarble and cheaper alternative?

Thanks Edward

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64114#Comment_64114

Welcome to Workshop Edward (@TradyEd48). It's great to have you join us. I'm looking forward to reading more about your projects and plans. I'm sure you'll receive plenty of inspiration and helpful advice from our community members along the way.

There's plenty of space-saving vertical garden products available at Bunnings, and Workshop members have shared planters in all shapes and sizes. Here's a few ideas to get you started:

Vertical garden by @kel

Vertical herb garden by @KingStreetReno

Reo metal vertical garden

How I built my vertical garden by @Darren

Quick and cheap vertical garden by @Bizebod

Repurposed metal tool box by @wannabebulda

Vertical garden from a broken gate by @JP_Finlay

Make your own concrete planter

And finally @Kellie has some large concrete planters on this discussion that are similar to what you are thinking about.

You might like to start a new discussion with some pictures of your space once you have a firmer idea of what you'd like to build. I'm sure our members would be more than happy to help.

Jason

Isobel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64114#Comment_64114

I think the problem you will have with large concrete planters @TradyEd48 is their weight. What kind of an area do you have? A patio or balcony?

Jason

Hi @hannah,

Your concrete vases have been incredibly popular on Workshop. Thanks again for sharing the project and including step-by-step instructions. Your project has now had over 12,000 views and today we're featuring it on Instagram.

Hope to see more great projects from you soon. Let us know if you need a hand with anything.

Jason

SarahE

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62512#Comment_62512

Thanks so much for sharing!

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95963#Comment_95963

Welcome to the Workshop community @SarahE.

It's fantastic to have you join us and trust you'll find the community full of inspirational projects just like this one. Please remember to hit that "Start a discussion" button anytime you have something to share or when you need assistance with your projects.

Mitchell

Mandilee

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1088#Comment_1088

Hi, I know that Wish sell the exact same silicon mould. Unsure of sizing though.

Mandilee

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64109#Comment_64109

Made them herself

Mandilee

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94629#Comment_94629

Hi, why would weight be an issue?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114779#Comment_114779

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Mandilee. It's fantastic to have you join us and many thanks for jumping into the discussion.

Were you looking to create some concrete vases or pots like these?

We look forward to hearing about the projects you have going on around your own house and garden and would encourage you to let us know if you need any assistance or would like to share them with the community. I trust you'll find loads of inspiration within the community as our creative members are sharing their ideas here all the time.

Mitchell

james64

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1088#Comment_1088

You could try to make your own, by using any wood you might have lying around, for me, it always is wood pallets, I get them for free at hardware shops or look at Gumtree or E-bay for free.

Cut to the shape you like, and a same smaller shape one that will complete the desired shape.

Lline the outer one with a plastic bin liner or something like that, spray WD-40 to stop the sticking, something that you find works.

Add cement, line smaller shape with plastic and weight it down with stones water to get desired shape.

Wait to set, fingers crossed, it all works? If not, try, try again, and have fun doing it. As for some people, during this lock down we have plenty of free time on our hands.

Kind regards James

CarlosMancilla

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62512#Comment_62512

Hello !!

sorry, what Quick-set cement do you use?, I mean, brand or presentation !!

I bought Dingo Mortar, but is too sandy !!

Thank you

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @CarlosMancilla. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for your question.

From @hannah's description, I would presume they have used something similar to Australian Builders 20kg Quick Set Concrete. You might be interested in reading through these discussions: DIY cement pots by @JI and Which cement to use and what ratio to mix for making pots by @ppp.

We look forward to hearing more about your concrete vase project and we'd encourage you to let us know if you need any assistance or would like to share your results. I trust you'll find loads of inspiration for your projects from within the community as our creative members are sharing their creations here every day.

Mitchell

CarlosMancilla

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/10808#Comment_10808

Thank you Mitchell , I bought Grey cement, With a 1:1 mix Dingo Mortar and Dingo Grey Cement it worked perfect for silicone pot molds !!

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/67779#Comment_67779

@CarlosMancilla,

That pot looks fantastic! What are you going to plant in them?

The quick-set concrete has small stones in it so I'm not sure how well it will work in such small silicone molds.

Mitchell

CarlosMancilla

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/96737#Comment_96737

Little succulents !!

everything here, bought at Bunnings !!

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