How to Transform your Old Bicycle into a Planter

Here you'll find out how to upcycle your old bicycle to create a unique and original planter and give your home a beautiful finishing touch.
How to Transform your Old Bicycle into a Planter

Last update: 28 January, 2021

Bicycles are a common mode of transport that many of us use on a daily basis. Today we’ll show you how to take an old bicycle and transform it into a planter. From patios and terraces, to gardens and entrance halls, with a bicycle planter, you’ll be able to brighten up any outdoor space.

When an object reaches the end of its working life, the best thing you can do is recycle it, and make it into something new. That way, you’ll help protect the environment and create new and original objects for your home.

Today, we’ll show you how to take an old bike and transform it into a planter that you can use to decorate your home.

Recycled bicycle planters

If your bicycle has a basket on the front and back you can use both to display flowers.

Bicycles come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. With or without baskets, with high or low seats, and any number of additional features. In this post, we’ll show you how to upcycle that old bike you no longer use.

You can use it to display one or multiple plant pots, and transform it into the perfect planter for your garden or patio.

Recycled iron bicycle

Many households have an old iron bicycle lying forgotten in the corner of their garage. Maybe it originally belonged to your grandparents or great grandparents. Whatever the case, these are the perfect objects to transform into a beautiful planter. Iron is a strong, durable material, so it is great for decorating outdoor spaces.

Restore and repaint

Paint your bicycle white to create a vintage planter.

If your bicycle is a little worn or damaged, the first thing you should do is sand the entire surface and give it a new coat of paint. This will help remove any rust or cracked paint. The most common and striking colors are black and white.

If you want, you can paint your old bicycle your favorite color or the color that goes best with your garden. However, we find that neutral colors are almost always the best option. When it comes to adding the plants and flowers, they will contrast beautifully with the neutral colors of your bicycle.

Incorporating your flower pots

Many bicycles, whether old or modern, have a basket on the front. You can use these baskets to hold flower pots on your recycled bicycle. Some bicycles also have iron racks or baskets on the front or back.

You can also find bicycles that have baskets on both the front and back. This gives you the perfect opportunity to start decorating your bicycle with plants and flowers.

Make sure to choose flower pots that actually fit into your baskets. Measure your baskets carefully, and choose flower pots that fit perfectly inside.

Add more baskets

Bicicleta roja con maceteros.

If one or two baskets isn’t quite enough for you, you can simply add a few more. The type of baskets you add will depend on the look you want to create.

You can choose wicker or wrought iron baskets, or even make your own to match your bicycle’s aesthetic.

Attach them to the front, back, middle or, if you want, put one on either side of the back wheel. You can also take off the bicycle seat and replace it with a flower pot. Arranging your plant pots at different heights will help create a more dynamic look.

White bicycle

White bicycles are some of the most common. Try to paint your bicycle from top to bottom, including the baskets themselves. This will give it a delicate, vintage look. If you add lots of colorful flowers, they will really stand out in your garden.

Bicycle stand

Remove the bicycle seat and repaint it with another plant pot.

If your bicycle has a stand to help it stay upright, make sure to put it firmly in place. If not, you could actually make your own iron stand and place it at the base of the wheels. This will help keep your bicycle planter stable, and make sure it stays in one place.

As you can see, upcycling a bicycle and transforming it into a planter is a great alternative that you can use to brighten up your garden or patio. All you need is a bit of paint and some plant pots full of plants or flowers. Paint and decorate it, and it will be the star of your garden.