How I Made a Simple Plant Wall From IKEA Items I Already Owned

Ever look at a bare wall and feel like it could be so much more? That was me, staring at this dull, lifeless stretch of wall in my backyard.

Instead of this stretch of concrete, I wanted it to be a little patch of green that would brighten up my space and my mood.

That’s when I decided to shop my home and found a few humble IKEA items for this project — my very first plant wall garden hack.

Let me show you how I transformed a boring wall into a charming vertical garden. If you have a patch of wall, you can easily create this living wall too.

Materials needed:

• 6 SOCKER plant pots (recycled or not)
• 4 BESTÄENDE cutlery stands
• 2 GRUNDTAL rails
• 1 GRUNDTAL hanger
• 1 old IKEA shelf (can’t remember the name, but any slim shelf will do!)
• 10 GRUNDTAL S-hooks
• 1 ROTERA lamp (for a cozy evening glow)

How I Made A Plant Wall Garden: Step-by-Step

1. Prep the Wall

Start with a clean slate. My wall was totally blank—just a plain, uninspired surface. First, I took measurements to center everything and make sure it would all align visually.

2. Install the GRUNDTAL Hanger

Mount the hanger at the top of the wall. This will serve as your anchor point for hanging pots or décor.

3. Add the Rails

Install the GRUNDTAL rails below the hanger, spacing them out evenly on the lower half of the wall. These will hold the plant pots and hooks. Make sure they’re level and securely attached.

Continue putting rails in the lower half of the wall.

4. Prepare the Plant Pots

Time to get your hands dirty! I recycled some old SOCKER pots I had from years ago. Since the IKEA SOCKER pots aren’t designed to hang by default, you’ll need to add a hole to the back of each one so they can hook securely onto the GRUNDTAL rails.

Clamp the Pot: Place the pot on a stable surface like a workbench or sturdy table. Use a clamp to hold the pot firmly in place. This is important to keep it from slipping while you drill

Choose the Right Drill Bit: Use a drill bit made for metal—cobalt or titanium-coated bits work best. A 1/4-inch bit is usually enough to fit most S-hooks, but double-check your hook size before drilling.

Drill Slowly and Steadily: Set your drill to a low speed. Place the tip of the bit right on the marked spot and begin drilling with gentle, even pressure. Let the drill do the work—don’t force it. As you break through the metal, you may feel a slight pop. Stop immediately once you’re through to avoid deforming the pot.

Deburr the Hole (Optional but Recommended): Use a metal file or a bit of sandpaper to smooth any sharp edges around the hole. This makes it safer to handle and prevents scratches to your rail or hooks.

Repeat the process for each pot, to create as many hang-ready planters as you need for your vertical wall garden.

5. Add the Shelf

I repurposed an old IKEA shelf I had lying around and fixed it to the wall using sturdy cable ties and the GRUNDTAL system. It sits neatly beneath the rails and is a great spot to rest extra plants or small items.

6. Hook It All Up

Slide the S-hooks onto the rails and hang your pots. Tuck your plants inside—I went with a mix of herbs and trailing vines for variety. Add the cutlery stands to organize smaller tools or even display air plants.

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NEXT: Cultivate more IKEA plant hacks.