She Grabs A Plain Stool And Quikrete To Make A Durable Plant Stand

Houseplants are a little like potato chips, as in it's hard to stop at one. If you have a big collection, sometimes the plants can blur together into one big mound of green. To help some of your plants to stand out, try giving one a lift. A simple plant stand can break up the cluster, but they often come with a hefty price tag, especially if you're looking for a concrete one.

DIYer @lizfenwickdiy on TikTok finds a way to ditch the traditional plant stand and gives a plain stool a second life. Not only is it cheap, but it's also super simple. She uses a shallow oil pan as a mold for Quikrete, then attaches the concrete top to the stool. The contrast between the concrete and the black base makes the finished piece look like something you'd find in a furniture store. This clever indoor plant stand hack gives your favorite plant a little height beside a sunny window or at the end of a sofa.

To make your own, you'll need a simple stool, a round plastic pan (that's slightly larger than the seat of the stool), Quikrete, water, a mixing bucket and tool, sandpaper, and E6000. If you already have the stool and a mold, budget roughly $15 to $25 for the mix and adhesive; buying a stool is what can push the total up, but usually the Dollar store or IKEA has affordable options like the MARIUS stool.

To create this plant stand, start by mixing the concrete according to the package directions in a bucket. Pour it into the pan and gently tap the sides to free any trapped air bubbles. Next, place the stool upside down inside the mix and leave it undisturbed until the mix is ready to come out of the mold — Quikrete recommends 4 hours or so. Once the top is out of the mold, smooth down rough edges with sandpaper and test the fit to the stool.

To adhere the stool to the concrete, the DIYer uses E6000, but check that your adhesive will work with both concrete and the stool's surface. If you're using E6000, it's recommended to let it set for around 72 hours before attempting to move it. Once cured, your plant stand is ready to be used for showcasing your collection.

You could totally keep the legs as is, but if you want them to match, paint them by mixing a soft gray color with some baking soda for a textured finish that is similar to the concrete. For a fun terrazzo look, you could arrange small, flat mosaic tiles or sea glass in the mold before pouring the concrete. Painting the concrete is another option, which opens you up to endless designs — just make sure you're using a water-based acrylic paint. If you like the idea of a matching pot, you could DIY some concrete planters and paint both pieces in the same color. The stool doesn't have to function as just a plant stand either. Use it as a place to display a favorite ceramic vase or other decor items.