While browsing a home improvement store recently, I spotted these intriguing concrete rings that look like oversized donuts. They turned out to be sprinkler guards. Do people buy them for that purpose? I’m not sure, but I immediately saw their potential for a DIY project.
I was so excited that I started tossing them into my cart before I’d fully decided what to make. By the time I reached the checkout, a clear idea had formed: modern concrete planters. I love planter projects—the clean lines and natural finish of concrete feel so contemporary—and this one might be my favorite yet. It’s budget-friendly (around $2 per planter) and incredibly simple to assemble. You don’t even need any glue.
I can easily imagine a row of these lined up as a minimalist centerpiece, or grouped on a windowsill, shelf, or desk. Their understated look works well in many spaces.
Want to make your own? Here’s how to do it.
Supplies:
- 7-inch round sprinkler guards (2 per planter)
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Small plants or succulents (kept in their plastic starter pots)
Each sprinkler guard cost me $1.06, and two are needed to form one planter, so each finished planter came to about $2.12—an inexpensive way to achieve a modern look.
Instructions:
- Clean the sprinkler guards with water and a cloth or paper towel to remove dust and debris. Paint the entire surface and allow it to dry. I thinned my paint slightly with water so that some of the concrete’s original texture and greenish hue would show through. I also left a few guards unpainted because I like their original color.
- Flip one guard so the flat bottom faces up, then place a second guard on top, nesting them together. No glue is required—the shape holds them in place.
- Place a small plant or succulent into the hole of the top guard. Keep the plant in its plastic starter pot to protect the concrete and make it easy to replace or water without disturbing the planter.
The result is a simple, modern planter with a raw, architectural feel. These pieces work well singly or clustered in a group, and they can be painted or left natural depending on the look you want.
Concept, photography, and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
Will you try this DIY? If you have other ideas for repurposing sprinkler guards, I’d love to hear them.