5 Tips for Choosing the Right Planter for Your Property

It’s no secret that plants are good for our health. Research has found that the many mental and physical health benefits of plants include elevating your mood and accelerating physical healing. However, aesthetically pleasing plants can also be beneficial for business, as people perceive that many plants signal an area where individuals enjoy a high quality of life.

With so many different shaped and sized commercial planters available, it’s not always easy to learn how to attract customers with outdoor planters that compliment your business’s aesthetic. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for five tips on how to select the perfect planter for the business or recreational property you’re designing!

Read the full article or jump to a specific section:

• 1. Decide the Location and Function of Your Planters
• 2. Match the Planters to the Location’s Design and Ambiance
• 3. Learn About Design Psychology
• 4. Pick a Material That Withstands the Weather
• 5. Choose the Right Planter for Your Vegetation
• Explore the Planter Selection at Wabash Valley Furnishings

1. Decide the Location and Function of Your Planters

First, you should survey the location where you’re going to put your planters. Observing the area your planters will inhabit will inform the functionality, material and design of the right planter for your property. Additionally, think about the size and shape of the planter. Make sure the planter you choose compliments the function of the outdoor area where you’ll place it.

If you’re designing an outdoor seating area at a restaurant or retail center, consider using larger planters to provide more privacy for parties, muffle sound or supply shade for guests. Similarly, planters are a great way to naturally direct guests on how to move through a space. For areas where you want to encourage communication between customers, ensure your planters and vegetation won’t block conversation.

The shape of an outdoor area can also inform the shape of the planter you choose and where you should place it. If you’re designing an outdoor area that’s enclosed with a fence, you might want to consider placing square planters in the corners of the enclosed area. Alternatively, for a street-facing property, consider decorating a windowsill with our Rockport Collection surface mount planter.  

2. Match the Planters to the Location’s Design and Ambiance

Similar to how you’ll want to choose a planter with a function that’s compatible with the placement area, you should also try to match the planters you choose to the place’s unique, pre-existing ambiance and design. The design of your outdoor areas should be an extension of your company’s interior design, so the planters you choose should complement the furniture and decor inside the building.

If you need inspiration, choose planters that best align with your business’s branding strategy. If your company has a more modern, chic vibe, try smooth fiberglass or metallic planters. To go for a more rustic, organic vibe, consider wooden planters.

When designing an outdoor landscape, create a balanced environment. If you’re designing a public park, you should balance furniture and other amenities with the natural landscape. These spaces already have natural features such as ponds, trees and pathways, and the right planter can strengthen your park’s organic aesthetics.

3. Learn About Design Psychology

Certain designs evoke particular opinions, feelings or actions. When your company developed its branding guide, it probably considered how particular colors and shapes would impact its target audience. Starbucks is a well-known example of how color can represent a company, as its green logo represents a commitment to fair trade coffee and corporate responsibility.

The right hues can signal different vibes to your customer. For example, the color black is associated with mystery, formality and elegance, while browns and beiges suggest dependability, warmth and a down-to-earth attitude. However, be careful, as colors can have different meanings in various cultures. For example, white is seen as a symbol of purity in the United States, while it’s regarded as a color of mourning in several countries in Asia and the Middle East.

The psychology behind various shapes is also important to consider when picking a plantar design. While geometric shapes like squares and rectangles mimic humanmade structures and suggest stability, order and pattern, organic and curved shapes such as circles and squiggles mirror many of the shapes found in nature. Consider your company’s branding and target clientele when considering both the color and shape of planters.

4. Pick a Material That Withstands the Weather

Regardless of whether your planters will be partially shielded by a roof or canopy or directly in the weather, your outdoor planters will face exposure to the elements. Therefore, you’ll want to choose planters made of strong, reliable materials that are appropriate for your property’s climate. A few popular materials for planters are the following:

• Fiberglass: This is one of the best options for your outdoor planters because they’re lightweight and durable. These planters also come in many patterns and designs, with textures mirroring metallic, glossy, matte and stone finishes. Further, fiberglass planters are resistant to cracking and warping and common outdoor elements like mold, frost and color-fading ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Plastic: These planters are lightweight, durable and come in many shapes and sizes. However, plastic is usually used as liners for planters, and it’s not quite as durable as fiberglass or metal.
• Metal: A metal planter is chic and modern. Although its weight makes it good at stabilizing tall plants, it can get very hot and could potentially damage your plants. Therefore, a metal planter is best in cooler climates or during the winter.
• Wood: Using wood planters helps you achieve a rustic, natural ambiance. While not quite as weather-resistant as the aforementioned materials, wood planters have excellent water retention. However, these planters are higher maintenance, as hardwood planters are more resistant to rot — however, you can treat wood with preservatives to extend its life outdoors.

5. Choose the Right Planter for Your Vegetation

Though planters are a beautiful aesthetic addition to your outdoor landscaping design, their purpose is to provide a home for your plants. Therefore, you should choose a planter with the proper size and material for the vegetation you’re planning on including in your outdoor design.

A general rule to follow when choosing a planter is to always err on the side of caution when selecting a planter’s size. Make sure the planter you choose is big enough to accommodate the entire root system of your plants. Additionally, choose a somewhat porous planter or one with drainage holes to allow air and moisture movement and prevent root rot.

Explore the Planter Selection at Wabash Valley Furnishings

Wabash Valley Site Furnishings is a reliable source of durable, high-grade outdoor furnishings and accessories, like our commercial planters. We coat all of our planters in a layer of Plastisol, a planter material that’s nearly impossible to damage. We powder-coat our planters with a six-step process to give our planters high-level bonding and smooth finishes. Our planters can also be customized to fit your company’s preferred colors and configurations.

All of our products, including our planters, are durability tested and come with a five-year warranty to ensure you’re getting high-quality products. Shop our high-quality outdoor commercial planters or contact us with questions today!