No Paint, No New Siding. He Added Window Boxes and Changed the Entire Front of the House
Exterior updates often start with paint, shutters, new landscaping, or siding replacement. In this project, none of those changes happened. Brittney’s husband focused on one overlooked area: the empty space beneath the windows.
Using cedar boards, exterior screws, potting mix, and flowering plants, he built custom window boxes that brought color and depth to the facade. The house stayed exactly the same, but the windows became focal points instead of disappearing into the siding.
Empty Windows Left Large Sections of Wall Looking Unfinished
Before the project, the windows sat against long stretches of plain siding with nothing connecting them to the landscaping below. Shrubs and flower beds added interest near ground level, but the walls between remained empty.
The lack of detail beneath the windows made the facade appear flat. Even with landscaping already in place, the windows looked detached from the rest of the yard and did little to contribute to the overall curb appeal.
Cedar Boards Became a Custom-Built Window Box
Three cedar boards formed the front, back, and bottom of the planter while shorter pieces enclosed each end. Exterior screws secured the assembly into a simple rectangular box sized to fit beneath the window.
Rather than purchasing a ready-made planter, the custom build allowed the dimensions to match the window width. Cedar also provides better outdoor durability than many standard lumber options used in DIY projects.
Black Paint Added Contrast Before Any Flowers Went In
After construction, the planter received a black finish that contrasted against the light siding and white window trim.
The darker color helped define the planter as a separate architectural feature. Even before planting, the box introduced depth and visual weight beneath the window.
Potting Mix Filled the Planter From End to End
Fresh potting mix filled the entire planter, creating a growing space much larger than traditional hanging baskets or small containers.
The long planter allows roots to spread across the full width of the window while supporting multiple plant varieties within the same display.
The Soil Was Leveled Before Planting Began
Once the planter was filled, the soil was spread and leveled across the entire box.
Creating an even planting surface helps establish consistent spacing between flowers and allows the arrangement to develop across the full length of the planter rather than becoming concentrated in one area.
Trailing Plants Went In First
Trailing varieties were positioned near the front edge where growth could spill over the planter as the season progressed.
The bright green foliage introduced a second layer of texture and provided contrast against the darker planter box and the flowering plants added later.
Petunias Filled the Remaining Space
Purple and pink petunias were planted throughout the remaining openings, creating a dense arrangement designed to expand quickly during the growing season.
Petunias work particularly well in window boxes because they produce large numbers of blooms while also cascading over the edges as stems mature.
The First Weeks Started to Change the Window
Shortly after planting, flowers began spreading across the width of the planter. The black box remained visible, but the arrangement already softened the empty wall beneath the window.
Color appeared at eye level rather than staying confined to flower beds and containers near the ground.
Growth Filled Out the Entire Window Area
As the plants matured, the planter transformed into a dense mass of purple and pink blooms. Trailing stems extended beyond the edges while flowers filled the space beneath the window.
The window itself became part of the display instead of remaining an isolated opening surrounded by siding.
Window Boxes Started Appearing Around the House
Additional window boxes were installed beneath other windows across the property.
Repeating the feature created consistency from one side of the house to the other and helped tie together different sections of the landscaping.
Full Bloom Turned the Windows Into Focal Points
At peak growth, the planter overflowed with flowers. Purple and magenta blooms covered most of the planter while trailing stems softened the edges.
The window box introduced color, texture, and depth without changing any permanent exterior materials.
The Same Idea Improved the Side Yard
Matching window boxes carried the same treatment into other parts of the property. Flowering containers beneath multiple windows created visual continuity throughout the landscape.
Instead of isolated flower beds competing with blank walls, the house and garden started working together as one composition.
Small Project, Big Difference
The siding remained unchanged. The paint color stayed the same. No new shutters, stone veneer, or expensive exterior upgrades were added.
A few cedar boards, a simple planter design, and a collection of flowering plants changed the curb appeal of the entire property. By filling the empty space beneath the windows, the project created stronger focal points, added color at eye level, and gave the facade a finished appearance that stands out from the street.
From a distance, the windows draw attention instead of blending into the siding. The idea is inexpensive, easy to adapt to different house styles, and noticeable enough that neighbors might find themselves borrowing the same approach for their own homes. Sometimes a small addition beneath a window can have more impact on the front of a house than a much larger renovation.