How I designed an easy diy outdoor living wall

Since it’s Memorial Day and the unofficial 1st day of summer today, I thought I’d share my latest outdoor project with you.

I DIY’d an easy outdoor living wall! I have to say I am delighted with how this one turned out.

It’s something I have wanted to add to an outdoor space forever, and I finally decided to go for it.

Today, I am sharing how I made it, why I chose the plants, and what I will do differently next year!

Designing an outdoor living wall

How to DIY Living Plant Wall

Choosing a space

I decided to add the wall to our outdoor space at the Airbnb.

We already planned on refreshing this deck for our Airbnb guests,, and there was a wall I wanted to make a focal point.

And the eastern sun exposure will provide plenty of light.

Once I had chosen the space, I worked out how large I wanted it to be.

Small Deck Refresh

Measuring the Space

To make a statement,, I wanted to build the structure to fill the entire wall.

But I did not want the structure to be permanent.

Instead, I wanted something we could change if we decided to sell the house.

So I decided we would need to lean it rather than attach it to the house.

Building the Living Wall Frame

Materials Needed for wall portion.

  • Two sheets of 4 x 8 plywood
  • Minwax stain in Early American
  • Minwax stain in Ebony
  • Polyurethane
  • Plant Pockets
  • Plants
  • Screws

We started with 2- 4 x 8 pieces of plywood that we cut 6 inches from, giving us a frame of 7 ft x 8 ft.

The next step was to secure the two pieces of plywood together with one strip of plywood from what we had cut off the original pieces to the back of the plywood to give it some additional support.

We are securing the two pieces of plywood together.

Once we had our base, we built a frame around it.

DIY Outdoor Living Wall Frame

I wanted the plants to sit inside a frame.

Using screws,, we secured the 4- 2 x 4 x 8 boards cut to fit along the outside of the plywood to frame it.

Framing the living wall structure.
We are adding the frame for the structure.

Once the frame was completed, I stained the plywood with Minwax Early American stain and the outside frame with Minwax Ebony a black to add some contrast.

Then I used three coats of polyurethane (letting them dry thoroughly between coats) to seal the entire piece for added protection against the elements.

I will probably add another coat in the fall.

We are staining the plant wall.

Adding the plant bags.

Before I attached the plant bags,, I laid them out to see how I wanted to attach them.

Once I saw them laid out, I realized I wanted to add some other design element to this piece.

Plant pockets for DIY living plant wall.

After some thought, I settled on a Giant Letter Board to leave welcome messages for our Airbnb guests.

How fun!

Now that my layout was decided on, I added the grow pockets.

They are made of a heavy-grade felt material.

Installing the plant pockets on the outdoor plant wall.
I am installing the plant bags.

We used these large vertical wall pockets for 4.5-inch plants.

I mixed a variety of the seven pocket version and 12 pocket version, leaving room for the giant letterboard in the middle.

Once the vertical wall pockets were attached, it was time to start planting.

Building the living wall.

Since I was using 4-inch plants (which tend to dry out quickly), I added a product that I have had success with in the past to the soil.

Miracle Grow Water-Storing Crystals.

These were very helpful with my patio containers last year, and I have my fingers crossed they can save me some watering this year.

When planting, you simply mix the crystals with the soil (I like to avoid the roots).

Follow the directions when adding to existing plants.

You have to be careful not to add too much.

Choosing plants for living wall.

The plants I chose:

Moonbeam Coreopsis

Vinca Vine

Ajuga Bugleweed

Campanula (white)

Asparagus Fern

With the help of my neighborhood nursery staff, I choose these particular plants because they are drought tolerant and will thrive in full sun.

This, combined with the water storing crystals, will help immensely with watering this summer.

Watering needs are essential to consider for a living wall.

Chosing plants for the living wall.

The Giant Letterboard

  • Porch Paint
  • Primer
  • 4 pieces of 1.5 x 36 inch wood
  • 4 pieces of 1.5 x 50 inch wood
  • Stain (leftover from structure)
  • Polyurethane
  • Vinyl Letters

For the giant DIY Letterboard, I painted the square with primer and then two coats of porch paint followed by three coats of polystyrene to seal it.

We then ripped four pieces of wood to 36 x 1.5 inches and four pieces 36 x.50 for the ledge.

I stained them with Minwax stain and sealed them with polyurethane since they are outside.

We attached the ledges with a pneumatic nailer.

Filled plant pockets on outdoor living wall.
Adding the Letterboard

Easy peasy!

Giant letter board on outdoor living wall.

We chose 8-inch lettI’m for the giant letteI’mard although the Vinyl letters are not cheap!

That is it for our easy DIY outdoor living wall.

I’m excited to say the plants are already beginning to fill in nicely, and we still have frost warnings here!

Letter board saying Good Vibes Only. With outdoor plant wall.

I’ll post another pic once it fills in.

Our final step was securing the entire piece to the house with a large hook and eye to prevent falling.

The Airbnb guests love leaving messages.

DIY Outdoor Living plant wall.

 

You may also like:

DIY Indoor Living Wall

DIY Checkerboard

Outdoor Decor Inspiration

Until next time,

-Libbie

 

Pin for DIY Living Wall.
Share the ā™”
FB
Pin
Tw
  1. sara says:

    That is awesome! I’m looking for something to cover our fence for more privacy so I may need to borrow this idea šŸ™‚

  2. Deana Landers says:

    I love it! When I first saw the wall, I thought, "How did she get those flowers to climb up that wall, and then I saw the rest. That is awesome. I have a wall and that is what I’m going to do!

  3. Maria says:

    Great project I learned something about finishing the edges I want to make a table and this is how I want to
    Finish the sides.

  4. Sherri Preston says:

    This is such a great idea, I am already envisioning a wall like this on my own property! Thanks so much for sharing!!

  5. Allyson ~ Southern Sunflowers says:

    What an amazing project ~ it looks great! Looks like it should be on an HGTV show!

  6. Nancy says:

    I love this project! And that letter board! It will be so fun to have guests leave messages! Thanks for sharing!

  7. Jodie says:

    Gosh, that turned out so great. Do you think you’ll have to restain it once in awhile?
    XOOX
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Libbie says:

      Jodie,

      We may have to restain in a few seasons, but I hope all the extra poly keeps that to a minimum!

      Libbie

      Libbie

  8. anita holland says:

    This looks amazing, I love it. I have never heard of vertical pockets, I will be having a look for them. I have tried the vertical garden but after a few months, the plants got too heavy and started to fall out. You did a great job and the sign is awesome too.

  9. meegan says:

    What a beautiful way to add personality to any outdoor space. Very nice, Libby!

  10. Marie B. says:

    Wow, this is awesome – love this idea! I have the perfect spot between a couple of windows on the back of our house to do this for an herb garden. Thanks for the inspiration!

  11. marijke says:

    This looks so inviting and lush. You made it look easy to replicate this. I bet your guests will enjoy sitting there.

  12. Jen at Satsuma Designs says:

    Wow! This is so, so cool! Thank you for sharing. I almost feel like I could do it too with your great instructions! Enjoy your summer on the deck! Best, Jen

  13. Juliet says:

    Oh, this is so cool…it would be great for herbs or strawberries, too!

  14. Meriah says:

    Interesting! Love the idea. I don’t have a green thumb, but his idea seems so doable!

  15. Marie says:

    Love this idea and you made the sign at center! So cute for your guests to take photos too!

  16. Michele Morin says:

    This is brilliant!

  17. Ann says:

    What a beautiful addition to your outdoor space! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.

  18. Linda Primmer says:

    Such a wonderful project. Perfect to add some interest and freshness to your patio. I have always wanted to create one. I am happy to feature your diy living wall at Love Your Creativity.

  19. Our Hopeful Home says:

    Wow, I love this idea! It really fills out the space nicely. The letter board is a nice touch, too! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

  20. kristin says:

    I have been wanting to do this for so long and have all sorts of plans saved. Thank you for your tips! Sharing today at Inspire Me Monday

  21. Grandma's House DIY says:

    Thanks for sharing with us I’m featuring you this week! To Grandma’s house we go!

  22. Rachelle says:

    Really great idea. I want to make one!

  23. Richella Parham says:

    This really is an amazing project! I can’t wait to read about the creation of the letterboard. What a wonderful combination of projects!

    Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!

  24. Amber says:

    It’s amazing! I am happy to feature you at TFT this week. Thanks for sharing!
    https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/celebrating-national-gardening-week-tft/

  25. Beth says:

    AWESOME project!!
    I’d love for you to join us over at the Creative Crafts Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday
    https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party-45/
    Followed and Pinned! šŸ™‚
    Creatively, Beth

  26. Maria says:

    This is freaking awesome!!! I absolutely love the live wall (I think I need one now) and the good vibes only sign just puts it over the top!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing this project:)

  27. […] A Life Unfolding/ How I Designed An Easy DIY Outdoor Living Wall […]

  28. Hi Libbie,

    This DIY outdoor living wall is amazing! Now to add this project to our to-do list; I can just see it on our back porch!

    We loved having you join us for this week’s Welcome Home Saturday series.

    xoxo,
    Brendt

  29. […] are excited to have Libbie of A Life Unfolding as our guest host this week. Thank you so much Kelly of The Tattered Pew for organizing the posts […]

  30. Kristin says:

    This is just the coolest project! I love it and I’m so glad you chose it to share this week on Welcome Home Saturday! Thanks for joining us!

  31. So much fun. Looks like a perfect spot for meditation. Thanks for posting at Funtastic Friday.

  32. […] out this very cool tutorial for a diy living wall by Libbie at A Life […]

  33. […] A Life Unfolding/ How I Designed An Easy DIY Outdoor Living Wall […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join the Newsletter

want to stay updated?