How to Turn a Filing Cabinet into a Modern Garden Planter

I have an enormous kitchen garden: 13 raised beds that evolved over the years to create a loved, but not well-planned veggie patch. While it’s my happy place, it boasts an aesthetic (a messy, casual look) that I no longer enjoy. With kids having left for college and a restaurant that I sold years ago, the need for so much produce has also diminished a bit. I decided to downsize and relocate the garden to a different portion of the yard, eliminating  the old space. Alas, the manufactured metal beds I love range from $300-595 each. And I need 12. Woof.

I’ve been researching and considering lots of options, but the idea of repurposing really appeals to me as well. Follow along to learn how to turn a filing cabinet into a modern garden planter.

Source Old Filing Cabinets:

First, I set about finding one to try one before I committed to the entire project. I posted in my community’s “Buy Nothing” page on “Wishful Wednesday” requesting an old cabinet. Within two days I was gifted one. Some other ways to find them for free or, on the cheap include: yard sales, thrift shops, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, classified ads, swap meets, Craig’s List and Facebook Marketplace. What I discovered is that they are everywhere. With most of the world having transitioned to digital storage, these behemoths are rarely needed by businesses any longer.

Pro Tip: Try to find cabinets that have a bottom panel. You can see this easily by extending the bottom drawer. If you see the floor underneath, your cabinet doesn’t have a bottom, which will be a pain.

Prep Your Cabinets:

Remove the drawers. You will not need them for this project, though lots of folks repurpose the for additional growing space. Remove any sliding pieces. I prefer to keep the crossbars in place as it ads to the modern look and stabilises the geometric form of the planter. Next, clean your planter to remove any dust or loose pieces. Once it’s thoroughly dried, use a drill fitted with a 3/8′ drill bit to create 20 evenly-spaced drainage holes. The holes will be made into the back of the cabinet (which will become the bottom of your planter).

Painting & Weatherizing:

The fun part of how to turn a filing cabinet into a modern garden planter is creating a custom look. You can lightly sand all sides of your cabinet if you wish to increase adhesion of paint, but I chose a three-in-one paint from Krylon that has primer, texture and rust-proof colour combined. You will want to paint your cabinet inside (I chose plain black, anti-rust for the inside) and out and I suggest 2-3 coats. When it’s dried, you can set it in your desired location. Try to keep them on a flat surface.

Fill and Plant

I like to add a layer of gravel to the very bottom of the planter, but this is optional. I know some folks who add some yard debris like sticks and grass clippings to bolster the volume. This works, but as it decomposes you will have to continue adding soil. Fill the planter with a 50/50 blend of compost and good quality soil. This is by far the most expensive part of making this planter, but you can reduce costs by purchasing in bulk if you are filling multiple bins. Plant and enjoy!