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Ideas For DIY

Put a mailbox in your garden

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A garden mailbox might sound a little unexpected at first, but that is exactly why it makes such a charming outdoor decorating idea. We are so used to seeing mailboxes at the front of a house that placing one among flowers, herbs, or vegetables instantly gives the garden a playful, cottage-style feel. It is practical, a little quirky, and just the right amount of “why didn’t I think of that?”

Old mailboxes are brilliant for garden upcycling projects because they already have a sturdy shape, a hinged door, and that lovely hidden-storage element built right in. Tucked beside a potting bench, attached to a fence post, or nestled near a vegetable patch, a mailbox can be used to store garden gloves, seed packets, plant labels, small hand tools, twine, or even a pair of snips. No more wandering back to the shed with muddy shoes because you forgot the string — not that any of us have ever done that, of course.

You can also turn a mailbox into a decorative garden feature. Paint it in cheerful colours, give it a vintage farmhouse finish, stencil on a floral design, or let it rust naturally for that lovely weathered garden look. It can become a fairy garden house, a seed exchange box, a little note station for garden visitors, or a whimsical focal point in a flower bed.

This garden mailbox idea is perfect for anyone who loves upcycled garden décor, creative backyard projects, thrift store garden makeovers, and practical DIY garden storage. Whether you use a brand-new mailbox or rescue an old one from the “might come in handy one day” pile, it is a simple way to add personality and function to your outdoor space without spending a fortune.

Everything stays dry and is conveniently located. Mailboxes are cheaper than other storage solutions for the garden and can often be recycled or upcycled. Mailboxes are a great way to store things for your garden chores, such as garden gloves or other pruning snips. You could use a mailbox for other outdoor items too such as handballs, tennis balls or summer toys for summertime.

You can customize it the way you want and maybe have his and her’s box as well.

Found this on Pinterest, and thought I had to blog it (and implement it for my garden!).

Comments

  1. I set up a mailbox for my tools in the garden and before too long I noticed wasps had set up a nest in the back of it. It seems to be the perfect set up for them being dark and out of the elements. I am allergic to stings so my husband drilled holes to let light in so eliminate the problem but of course, it then defeats the purpose as rain can get in and ruin the safe, dry, convenient place for gloves and tools and seeds.Back to the drawing board.

  2. what a good idea I will show it to my husband and he will put one up for us. Instead of dragging tools and other items back to the garden they will be conveniently stored for us.
    As far as bees spray the inside and outside to keep away bugs and bees. And keep spray inside to fight off occasional pests.

    thanks for the idea.

    • I prefer the idea of drilling holes to let light in and deter the wasps. The idea of grabbing a can of lethal spray to eliminate what we consider to be pests is WRONG. The sooner we stop this behaviour the better the environment will be.

      • I too am allergic and feel its wrobg ti use spray. Drill the holes and line the space inside with something clear like maybe vinyl or plastic.

    • Agree with B. F. Cross! A light spray, perhaps the odor, or some environmentally friendly deterrent is RIGHT to avoid the wasps and the aggressive behavior!

  3. What a great idea. I moved into a new house last year and I’m struggling with where to keep my tools so they are handy. I could put up one of these for the back yard to give me an extra storage spot. Thanks!

  4. Great idea, I always forget where I put something then don’t find it till I don’t need it anymore. This will be an additional decoration in the garden as well

  5. This is just the thing for my husband. He is constantly looking for his tools while gardening and this should surely help. His tools won’t be getting rusty either. Thanks so much .

  6. Great idea!!! Can’t wait for the rain to stop so I/we can get out in the garden to start implementing so many wonderful, new ideas. Thanks so much for sharing with those of us with the will but not the creative ways!!

  8. I am not so sure this great idea would be safe in Perth Australia, we have some bad guys here like red back spiders that would just love to hide in the mail box, and what about opening it and finding a curled up snake.

  9. I did this years ago. I keep an extra set of clippers, gloves and small shovel in mine out in the yard. Then if I see something that I need to do I don’t have to walk all the way back to the house to get the tools. I keep my gloves in a small container with a lid so I don’t have to worry about anything crawling in them. I have not had any problem with wasp and such. I decorate it for the holidays,planted flowers around it and it is added color for the yard.

  10. Great idea, can’t wait to start the project. I’m thinking about putting the mailbox on a decorative post to blend into the garden.

  11. Put thymol crystals in the mail box as it will deter pest. It is pure menthol sold in honeybee supply catalogs for pest control. It might help repel the wasp.

  12. I have been using this idea for years! I have 2 mailboxes that met their demise from being hit by cars and motorcycle. I even keep a box of tissues for my allergies out there! One spring I left one of them open by mistake and a wren nested in it.

  14. I put one in my garden about 3 years ago. Already need to put a larger one in. Perfect for my tools….

  16. Thank you for this idea. We made up these for family gardeners for Christmas and stenciled
    them to personalize them. They were a hit!

Have you read?

10 Halloween Table Centrepieces You Can Make Yourself

A Halloween table doesn’t need to disappear beneath a mountain of plastic spiders to feel festive. Sometimes a little haunted house, a pumpkin filled with flowers or a few softly glowing lanterns are enough to make an ordinary dinner feel like an occasion.

I love a handmade centrepiece because you can make it suit your home. Go cheerful with friendly ghosts and orange pumpkins, create a vintage witch’s table with dark bottles and lace, or add something wonderfully peculiar that gets everyone talking before dinner even arrives.

These DIY Halloween table centrepieces include paper crafts, upcycled jars, floral arrangements and decorative displays. Some use supplies you may already have, while others need a little planning or drying time. Each links to an individual project so you can follow the maker’s tutorial.

You don’t need to make all ten. Choose one main decoration, leave room for the serving dishes, and let a few smaller pieces finish the table.

1. A Mini Haunted House Village

These paper haunted house lanterns from Jennifer Maker make a lovely starting point for a Halloween table. The project includes a basic house design, with additional building variations available through the tutorial’s resource-library process.

Make one house for a small table or arrange several along the middle of a longer one. Battery-operated tealights inside give the windows a welcoming, slightly spooky glow.

Table styling idea: Place the houses on a shallow tray with a few miniature pumpkins. Keeping everything together makes the display easier to move when dinner is ready.

2. A Pumpkin Filled With Fresh Flowers

If your Halloween style is more pretty than frightening, try this floral pumpkin display from Melanie Lissack Interiors.

The arrangement uses a carved pumpkin with a water-holding floral container inside. The container supports the stems and keeps the flowers supplied with water.

Table styling idea: Choose orange, burgundy or cream flowers and keep the arrangement low enough for guests to see over it. Set the pumpkin on a plate or tray to protect the table, and make it close to your gathering for the freshest display.

3. A Floral Skull Centrepiece

For something a little more dramatic, this floral skull centrepiece from HonestlyYUM combines fresh flowers with a model skull that has a removable top.

The contrast between the skull and the flowers is what makes this arrangement so striking. It feels theatrical without needing an entire haunted-house setup.

Table styling idea: Give the skull centrepiece space to stand out. A dark runner and simple place settings would let the flowers become the main source of colour. Check that your decorative skull has the right construction before buying it for this project.

4. Mummy Jar Lanterns

These mummy mason jar luminaries from Mod Podge Rocks turn glass jars into little glowing characters using cheesecloth, decoupage medium and black cardstock.

They’re a cheerful option for a family Halloween dinner, especially if you prefer friendly faces to anything too gruesome. Allow the glued layers to dry before adding the LED lights.

Table styling idea: Group three jars on a tray, or space them along a rectangular table. Change their expressions slightly so each mummy has its own personality.

5. Black Lace Candle Holders

These black lace candle holders from The Sweetest Occasion give clear glass a gothic touch with decorative lace trim.

This is a lovely project for anyone who enjoys Halloween decor with a vintage feel. Different lace patterns add interest while the repeated black colour keeps the display coordinated.

Table styling idea: Arrange a small cluster on a mirrored or metallic tray with LED candles inside. A few miniature pumpkins beside them will make the display feel seasonal without crowding it.

6. Etched Ghost Glass Holders

Stacy Risenmay’s etched ghost candle holders feature ghost shapes on glass, with two different approaches: frosted ghosts or clear ghosts against a frosted background.

They’re especially nice if you want homemade Halloween decorations that still feel light and uncluttered. The tutorial also suggests using the finished glass as a vase.

Table styling idea: Use an LED light inside one holder and a few decorative branches in another. Follow the etching product’s handling instructions when making the project.

7. A Witch’s Potion Bottle Display

These upcycled Halloween potion bottles from Rustic Passion give empty bottles a wonderfully mysterious makeover.

Different bottle shapes help the collection look like it has been gathered over time. This is a good choice if you enjoy decorating with recycled materials and already have a few interesting bottles waiting for a purpose.

Table styling idea: Group the bottles on a tray for a buffet or drinks table. For a seated dinner, choose shorter bottles so they don’t block the conversation.

Our Halloween spell book feature offers a companion project for completing the witch’s-table look.

8. A Spooky Halloween Terrarium

This Halloween terrarium from DIY in PDX combines a glass container, a moss-wrapped plant and miniature Halloween decorations.

The original uses a dark-leaved begonia alongside little creepy additions. It’s a lovely way to bring plants into your seasonal decorating, particularly if you already have a suitable glass vessel.

Table styling idea: Keep the decorations within the container so the scene stays compact. Turn it around before displaying it to check that guests seated on both sides have something interesting to see.

9. A Decorative Bubbling Cauldron

This DIY bubbling cauldron from Crafty Penguin Family uses clear plastic ornaments to create the appearance of bubbles rising from a witch’s brew. Optional string lights add another layer of interest.

It’s a decorative illusion, so you get the bubbling effect without needing liquid or a working fog setup.

Table styling idea: Choose a small cauldron for a dining table and a larger one for a buffet. If adding lights, use battery-operated LEDs and keep the battery pack accessible. Leave the finished cauldron as a decoration rather than using it to serve food.

10. Spiderweb Jar Candle Holders

These spiderweb candle holders from Alpha Mom use clean glass jars, black permanent marker and white paint to create a glowing Halloween display.

The hand-drawn webs are part of the charm. They don’t need to be perfectly symmetrical, which makes this a forgiving project for anyone who doesn’t consider themselves particularly artistic.

Table styling idea: Draw different webs on a few jars and arrange them down the centre of the table with battery-operated candles inside. Smooth-sided jars make the designs easier to draw and see.

How to Make Your Halloween Table Look Coordinated

Choose a small colour palette before gathering your decorations. Black, cream and orange work well together, while burgundy flowers and antique gold can give the table a darker, more romantic feel.

For a round table, one compact arrangement is usually enough. On a rectangular table, repeat smaller decorations along the middle, leaving gaps for food and drinks.

Keep centrepieces below your guests’ seated eye level, or save taller displays for a buffet. Battery-operated lights are a practical choice around paper houses, lace, cheesecloth and other craft materials.

The nicest handmade Halloween tables don’t have to be elaborate. A pumpkin full of flowers, three slightly wonky mummy jars or a miniature house with glowing windows can make the evening feel special.

Choose the project that makes you smile, use what you already have where possible, and leave enough room on the table for the people—and the food—you’re bringing together.