Double planters are my favorite garden trick—they’re easy, stylish, and make a big impact out front. I started using them when one lonely pot just didn’t cut it, and now I’m hooked.
They add layers, height, and that polished look that makes neighbors slow down for a second glance. You don’t need a big budget or fancy plants—just a few clever combos.
Here are some fun ways to play around with this setup and give your entrance a glow-up.
1. Symmetrical Elegance
Nothing says “welcome home” quite like perfectly matched planters flanking your front door. Choose identical containers and fill them with the same flowers or shrubs for a classic, balanced look.
This timeless approach works with any architectural style from Colonial to Contemporary. The key is consistency—same height, same plants, same mulch—creating a sense of order that naturally draws the eye to your entryway.
2. Seasonal Color Rotation
Keep your curb appeal fresh year-round by swapping plants with the seasons. Spring might showcase tulips and daffodils, while summer brings vibrant petunias or geraniums.
Fall calls for chrysanthemums and ornamental kale, and winter can feature evergreen branches with red berries. This rotation system ensures your entrance always looks current and cared for, giving neighbors something new to admire every few months.
3. Height Variation
Create visual interest by pairing planters of different heights. Place taller plants or containers on one side and shorter ones on the other for an asymmetrical but balanced arrangement.
This approach works particularly well with modern homes or when you want to draw attention to architectural features. Try a tall, slender planter with ornamental grass alongside a shorter, wider container filled with trailing flowers for maximum impact.
4. Tiered Arrangements
Double the impact by creating multi-level displays within each planter. Start with taller plants in the center, add medium-height blooms around them, and finish with cascading varieties spilling over the edges.
This “thriller, filler, spiller” approach gives your planters dimensional appeal and makes them look professionally designed. For best results, choose plants with complementary colors but varying textures to create rich, eye-catching compositions.
5. Complementary Colors
Use color theory to create striking double planter displays. Choose flowers in complementary colors—those opposite each other on the color wheel—like purple and yellow or blue and orange.
This pairing creates natural visual tension that catches the eye without clashing. For a more subtle approach, try analogous colors (those next to each other on the wheel) in one planter and their complement in the other for a sophisticated, designed look.
6. Container Contrast
Mix materials for an unexpected twist on the double planter concept. Pair a rustic wooden barrel with a sleek ceramic pot, or contrast a woven fiber planter with a modern concrete container.
The plants inside can be similar to maintain cohesion, but the different textures of the containers create visual interest. This approach works especially well for eclectic home styles or when you want to blend traditional architecture with contemporary touches.
7. Monochromatic Magic
Create sophisticated drama with planters featuring different plants in the same color family. One container might hold white hydrangeas while its partner showcases white petunias, sweet alyssum, and silvery dusty miller.
This approach feels cohesive yet interesting, allowing texture and form to shine without color competition. For maximum impact, choose containers in a contrasting color—black planters make white flowers pop, while navy or charcoal containers create a crisp, elegant backdrop.
8. Evergreen Foundation
Build your double planter design around evergreen shrubs for year-round structure. Small boxwoods, dwarf Alberta spruce, or compact holly varieties provide consistent green presence regardless of season.
Surround these anchor plants with seasonal flowers that can be swapped out as needed. The evergreens ensure your entrance never looks bare, even in winter or between seasonal plantings, while giving you the flexibility to add pops of color when desired.
9. Layered Lighting
Transform your double planters into nighttime features by incorporating solar or low-voltage lighting. Tiny fairy lights woven through plants create magical evening ambiance, while small spotlights can highlight interesting foliage or flowers.
For special occasions, consider adding color-changing lights or lanterns placed between the planters. This not only extends your curb appeal into the evening hours but also improves safety by illuminating the entrance path.
10. Edible Entrances
Surprise visitors with double planters that are both beautiful and functional by incorporating edible plants. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and lavender offer lovely textures and scents while being practical for cooking.
Ornamental peppers, rainbow chard, and purple basil provide striking colors while remaining harvestable. This approach showcases your creativity and sustainability values while ensuring your entrance planters serve double duty as both decoration and kitchen garden.
11. Architectural Echoes
Choose planters and plants that reflect your home’s architectural style for a cohesive look. Victorian homes pair beautifully with ornate urns containing formal arrangements, while mid-century modern houses complement clean-lined rectangular planters with structural plants.
For craftsman-style homes, consider mission-inspired containers with native plantings. This thoughtful matching makes your entrance feel intentionally designed rather than randomly decorated, creating harmony between your garden and architecture.
12. Seasonal Decor Integration
Design your double planters to incorporate holiday and seasonal decorations. Leave space in the center for adding items like small pumpkins in fall, glittery branches for winter, or pastel eggs for spring.
The surrounding plants provide a consistent frame while the central decorative elements can be swapped out. This system makes seasonal decorating easier since you’re updating just one element rather than creating entirely new displays each holiday.
13. Water Feature Combo
Take your double planter setup to the next level by incorporating a small water feature between them. A simple bubbling fountain creates soothing sounds while drawing attention to your entrance in an unexpected way.
Choose moisture-loving plants for the flanking containers to create a cohesive mini-oasis feel. The combination of greenery and moving water creates a multi-sensory welcome experience that makes your home stand out from others on the block.
14. Vertical Elements
Maximize visual impact by adding height to your double planters with trellises or obelisks. These structures allow climbing plants like clematis, jasmine, or mandevilla to grow upward, creating dramatic vertical interest.
The vertical elements frame your doorway like living columns, drawing the eye upward and making your entrance appear grander. For year-round appeal, consider evergreen climbers like ivy or mix seasonal bloomers with more permanent climbing structures.
15. Coordinated House Colors
Create a pulled-together look by choosing planter colors and flowers that coordinate with your home’s exterior paint and trim. If your house has burgundy shutters, incorporate that same shade in your planters or flowers.
For subtle coordination, match container colors to your front door or select blooms in complementary shades. This thoughtful color connection creates a polished, designer-quality appearance that shows attention to detail and enhances your home’s overall color story.
16. Mobile Flexibility
Place your double planters on decorative rolling stands or casters for maximum versatility. This mobility allows you to reposition them based on sun patterns, rearrange for parties, or bring them closer to the house during extreme weather.
Choose quality casters that lock in place to prevent unwanted movement. The ability to easily reconfigure your entrance display keeps your curb appeal fresh and adaptable to changing needs without the heavy lifting typically associated with large container gardening.