
In my post ‘Hanging House Plant Ideas‘ I explore a number of options for creating impressive plant installations, out of the reach of little ones and somehow suspended from the wall or ceiling. Through these ideas I came up with my own project for the wall above my blog station… the Coffee Cup Hanging Planter.
It took a little longer than I had hoped, not because it was difficult, but because I wasn’t prepared with all the right materials and tools. I thought I’d save you the three return trips to The Home Depot and put together some instructions…
DIY Coffee Cup Hanging Planter: Materials

- Wood planks for shelves. I used 2 x pine planks (3ft/5.5″/0.5″) which cost less than $5 each.
- Wood stain (optional). I used ‘MinWax Wood Finish Penetrating Stain – Classic Grey 271’ which cost less than $5.
- Steel cable. I used around 14ft of 1/8″ cable, costing under $5 in total.
- Screw eyebolts. I used 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ eyebolts, the two pack cost $2.
- S-Hooks. I used 1/4″ x 2″ hooks, the two pack cost less than $3.
- Wire rope Thimbles. I used 1/8″ to fit the cable I chose.
- Ferrule and stops sets. I used four sets at a total cost of $6.
- Stackable coffee cups. I bought two sets from World Market at a total cost of $26. There may be cheaper vessels but personally I feel the coffee cups make all the difference.
Tools needed:
- Swaging Tool;
- Wire cutter (alternatively, get your cable cut into two equal length in store);
- Drill and drill bits;
- Hole saw drill bit (size to match coffee cups);
- Stud finder;
- Sandpaper;
DIY Coffee Cup Hanging Planter: How to…
- Cut holes for coffee cups in the wooden planks and sand the holes to a smooth finish.
- Drill a small hole at the corner of each plank using a drill bit just a little larger than the thickness of your steel cable.
- Stain the wooden planks (optional).
- Cut your cable into two equal length pieces (mine were about 7ft each).
- At the mid point of the cut cable install a wire rope thimble and a ferrule using a swaging tool. If you have no idea what I’m talking about have a look at this youtube video. NOTE: We want the loop in the center of the cable, not the end as the video shows.
- Feed the two ends of the cable through the small corner holes in the planks and use the swaging tool to apply a stop beneath each hole. This step requires careful measuring as it not only affects how low your shelves will hang, but also whether they will be level.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other length of cut cable.
- Attach the additional shelves below the first using the same method. Remember, measuring accurately is key!
- Use a stud finder to find the joists behind your plasterboard ceiling (unless you have lovely exposed beams of course). You need a good solid connection to hold the weight of the planter. Drill a pilot hole for each screw eyebolt and install by twisting it into the ceiling.
- Connect your S-hooks to the eyebolts, hook your hanging planter onto the S-hooks and drop your coffee cups into the holes in the wooden planks.
Complete… Do let me know if you’ve tried it!
‘Hanging House Plant Ideas’ if part of a series of naptime makeovers… including these:
Accent Wall Ideas
How to Arrange Pictures Creatively
Modern Interior Door Handles

Blog Comments
Debbie Savage
December 28, 2016 at 10:38 am
You are so creative! I am inspired by this! If, only we were neighbors and you could come over and help me!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
TwinPickle
December 28, 2016 at 10:41 am
Sounds like a deal… I can borrow your clothes in return ?
tiffany
December 29, 2016 at 8:20 am
such a cute and fun idea!!
TwinPickle
December 29, 2016 at 8:29 am
So glad you like it!
Dawn
December 29, 2016 at 8:58 am
What a fantastic idea! It looks so professional and modern, and yet is pretty simple to put together. I am totally trying this when our weather finally gets warm again!
TwinPickle
December 29, 2016 at 10:24 am
It is super simple, the swaging tool takes some serious arm power though so if you’re not very buff get some help!
Samantha @ Momma Wants Java
December 29, 2016 at 12:26 pm
I love how this looks! You get the best of both worlds – plants and coffee decor! It’s perfection. 🙂
TwinPickle
December 29, 2016 at 2:33 pm
Exactly… we all need more coffee in our lives!
Karen
December 29, 2016 at 11:43 pm
I always have a thing for succulent plants! This looks perfect! What a perfect idea. Thank you for sharing this DIY.
Veronika
December 30, 2016 at 1:23 pm
that’s so cute! I love having cute little plants in my house. They bring so much life into a space 🙂