Nesting Plant Stands Build Plans

by

Kati

Build beautiful nesting plant stands from scrap wood with these easy plans!

Adding plants to your home is a great idea. It adds such a great layer of texture to your decor and cleans out your air. My goal is to add plants to every single room.

I have been finding different plants for the different lighting in each room. And even tried propagating my own with these gorgeous test tube propagation vases.

While I love hanging plant holders, some plants are too big and need a place down low to live.

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Close up of the plants in white pots on top of the plant stands with white bases and navy stained tops.

But all those plants needed a better home then the floor so I used up some piles of scrap wood to create these nesting plant stands. This is such an easy build, perfect for a beginner, and super useful too!

These two plant stands will add height to your house plants. The small stand sits nicely in the larger one so you can tuck it away when not in use. Perfect for use in a small space. 

Nesting plant stands with the small stand tucked under the large one.

I like to pull it only out enough for my plant to fit, but leave it tucked in just a little bit.

That way the plants are nice and close to make a fun vignette from my plants.

Wood plant stands in the corner next to a door.

Why use Plant Stands?

When you are creating a grouping of plants in a room, you want to them all at different heights. This will add texture to the grouping and allow you to see the all the plants. 

Plant stands are a great way to keep your smaller plants off the floor. This makes it easier to sweep under them and can save your back while caring for them. 

Looking down on the top of the plant stand to see the navy stain bringing out the wood grain.

These nesting plant stands are great for offering two different height options to you plant display.

The larger table can hold a larger plant and the smaller table is perfect for small or trailing plants. 

DIY nesting plant stands holding a rubber plant and pothos plant in white pots.

More DIYs for Your Plants

Nothing say I love plants like building the perfect home for them. Check out these fun DIYs to add green to you home.

How to Make Wood Plant Stands

Tools & Materials

Supplies:

Cut List

Cut out the pieces according to the easy to read cut list in the premium PDF plans.

Get the Premium PDF Woodworking Plans

PDF plans include- Easy to Read Cut List, Shopping List, Recommended Tools, Step-by-Step Instructions with 3D drawings, & Helpful Resources

BONUS- 3D SketchUp File

PDF plans for two nesting plant stands.

To lay out the angled cuts, I like to use a speed square.

Place the corner on the measurement mark. Then rotate it so the angle number on the angled side is up against the edge. Then draw your cut line.

Measuring angled cuts to make on the miter saw for making the plant stands.

STEP 1- Build the base

Drill pocket holes set for 3/4″ thick material on the sides of the skirt pieces. Don’t get them too close to the top or the screws can end up poking through the top. 

Make sure to line up the legs and skirt pieces so the angles are in the right direction making the top flat.

Attach the legs to either side of the skirt pieces with pocket hole screws and wood glue. 

Repeat with the other skirt and leg pieces so you have 2 assembled pieces. 

Building the front and back pieces of the plant stand base with pocket holes.

Mark the location of the leg supports as noted in the build plans. I love using the Kreg MultiMark tool for this.

Make sure to mark it on all 4 of the leg pieces. 

Marking the location of the leg support pieces on the base of the wood plant stands.

Attach the side skirt pieces so they are flush with the top and flush with the outside of the legs.

Secure with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. 

Attaching the side skirt pieces to the scrap wood plant stand project.

Attach the leg support pieces on the marks so they are centered in the legs.

Secure with wood glue and pocket hole screws. 

Securing the leg support pieces on the small table with pocket hole screws.

Once all the side pieces are secure, add a little glue to the unattached ends of all the pieces. Lay it on top of the second assembled front/leg piece.

Properly line up all the pieces and secure with pocket hole screws. 

For the top skirt, you will need to use a right angle drill or bit to get into the small square to secure it.

I love this right angel bit for getting into tight spaces. 

Attaching the other half of the base of the plant stand.

Don’t forget to secure the leg support pieces.

Finishing assembly on the base of the small nesting plant stand.

STEP 2- Build the Top

Assemble the top of the plant stands by drilling pocket holes in the edges of all but 1 of the top slat pieces. Add wood glue to the side.

Clamp them flat and tight together and secure with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws. 

Building the top of the easy to build plant stands with 2x4s.

STEP 3- Finish

Sand down the base and top while they are unattached to make it easier.

For rough lumber, start with a medium grit paper and then move to a fine grit to get a smooth surface. 

If you want to stain or paint the top of your plant stands a different color, stain them before finishing the assembly. 

Sanding the base of the nesting plant stands.

To attach the tops to the base, drill pocket holes in the inside top of the base.

I used the new Kreg 320 jig to easily add pocket holes to the assembled piece. 

Drilling pocket holes in the top of the plant stand base.

Place the top top down on the table and center the base on top of it.

Secure with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. 

Attaching the navy blue stained top to the base of the plant stands.

Now repeat for the second plant stand (the pictures above are of the small stand build).

The steps are all the same, just different measurements. Make sure to check the build plans for all the details. 

Don’t Forget to Grab the Printable PDF Plans Here!

And then you can use your new plant stands in any room of your house to display your beautiful house plants.

The new stands are perfect for adding some larger plants to our master bedroom.

I am hoping the wonderful light in the room will be perfect for going a tall rubber tree. It's been squished in the hutch in our dining room until now.

Corner of a bedroom with nesting plant stands holding a rubber tree and pothos plant.

If these beautiful DIY plant stands are not motivation to add more plants to your home, I don't know what is. I think I love the so much I need to make more.

I think I am turning into the crazy plant lady!

Two plant stands in the corner with the small one nesting under the larger one.

Happy building!

-Kati with picture of blog author Kati
Close up view of the DIY nesting plant stands with text overlay.

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8 thoughts on “Nesting Plant Stands Build Plans”

    • No I did not make the shirt, it was one I received at a conference. But I did take the sleeves off cause they were too restricting and I need lots of movement in my shoulders when building. Glad you are enjoying all the information!

  1. Kati, you always inspire me with your DIY projects. I’m determined to attempt more power tool projects in the new year. I may take one of the classes at Home Depot. I’m great with a glue gun and love my orbital sander, but have lots to learn with power tools. These nesting tables are awesome!

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