This is the story of how I installed window box planters with shutters to help add symmetry to our very asymmetrical front windows.
One thing I love about our home is all the random quirks. It’s a constant work in progress. It’s been added on to multiple times. That being said one of the “random quirks” I don’t love is the two different sized windows on the front of our house. What could I do to add a little symmetry? Let me show you how I added window box planters with shutters below the front windows to make them look like they are the same size.
The previous owner tried to address the “lack of symmetry” issue as well. Her solution? She covered the windows with Bahama shutters.
The Bahama shutters looked good, but they blocked so much natural light inside the house.
The original part of the house was always so dark compared to other parts of the house. I know it’s because of the Bahama shutters. That’s when I decided to remove them.
Yikes! The last homeowner used to joke that the windows looked like they were winking at you. I see it!
Also, it doesn’t help that the windows are totally different styles. I won’t be able to do anything about that now, but I can at least make them look the same size by adding window box planters in front of them.
Speaking of asymmetry, this home exudes a lot of it. See how I created symmetry around our master bed with a few design tips.
By the way, don’t mind our mess of a front yard. We plan to tackle that big project later on in the spring.
So what now?
This is where my planter boxes will fake the look of two same sized windows. Let me show you.
The planter boxes do help even out the windows don’t they?
Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay. This disclosure statement refers to the rest of the amazon links and other affiliate links in this post.
I ordered these window boxes planters from Home Depot and they fit perfectly. Not to mention that they have a water reservoir that helps water your plants continually.
Like I said, I can’t do anything right now about the two different type of windows. Maybe one day soon.
So how did I put the window box over the window pane?
Table of Contents
How to install window box planters on top of a window pane
Attach a piece of wood to the outside frame of the window. Then attach the window planter box hardware to the wood. Make sure you paint the wood that will sit against the window white or another color that won’t stick out like a sore thumb. You will definitely see this piece of wood from inside the house.
We used a 1 by 8 and screwed four screws into wood around the window.
Once the wood was installed, we drilled the hardware on top of the wood.
For those of you wondering what the inside of the window looks like? It looks A LOT better than the Bahama shutter did from the inside.
This was a great solution to fake the look of a smaller window.
Next I wanted to dress up the windows with shutters. I cut the old Bahama shutters in half.
Can you see it? I can!
My husband suggested that the 4 panel wood shutters looked too wide. I agreed.
I originally thought to cut them in half, but then decided they would be too skinny.
Most wood slat shutters are three panels wide. This is what I decided to go with.
Side note; most experts say that the width of the shutters need to align with the window opening when closed (even if they aren’t functional).
Technically, the four panel wood shutters would fit those standards. Buuuuut— visually, I felt that the three panel wood shutters looked best.
I think the three slat shutters look great. What do you think?
Now to plant some flowers in the planter boxes.
I did quite a bit of research on what to plant in a flower box and decided to go with a few simple yet colorful Petunia’s. These particular Petunia’s need full sun, and since this is a sunny area of the house they worked perfectly.
I bought a handful at my local hardware store for only $20.
Window planter boxes with shutters to hide two asymmetrical windows
I’m so pleased with how it turned out! I love when my design vision comes to life and it actually looks good.
Like I said, don’t mind the terrible yard! It’s next on the list.
Decorating Window Box Planters
One of the best things about window boxes is being able to decorate them for each season! Check out some of my past and recent flower box planter decor below!
Make sure to check out my Fall Window Box decor with faux flowers.
Also check out my winter window boxes with faux flowers for Christmas!