Modern concrete planters often come with designer price tags and complicated molds, but this project, shared by Britney SmartStarted with simple patio pavers, landscape adhesive, feather finish and concrete sealer. Once assembled, coated and sealed, the square boxes stopped looking like stacked pavers and began to resemble custom concrete planters built for modern entryways and patios.
The project began with four square concrete pavers joined together in a hollow cube shape using landscape adhesive alone. But instead of stopping at exposed seams and rough joints, Britney added a full skim coat of feather finish to the entire exterior before sealing the entire planter.
That extra level completely changed the project.
Landscape adhesive holds the entire structure together
Planters began by gluing basic square pavers straight and edge-to-edge using heavy-duty landscape adhesive.
Instead of using forms, screws or poured concrete, the square structure came together from four vertical pavers pressed at 90-degree angles.
Once assembled, the planters were already functional. But the exposed seams still reveal where each paver is attached.
The transformation took place after the finishing coat covered the joints.
The concrete coating completely hides the paver seams
After the adhesive cures, the feather finish is spread over the entire surface of the planter.
That coating filled the cracks, softened the edges, and almost completely eliminated the stacked-paver look. Instead of reading like separate concrete slabs glued together, the planter began to look like a solid poured form.
The feather finish also introduced subtle textural variations across the surface, which helped the planter resemble cast concrete rather than a simple factory-made container.
Some spreader marks remained visible after drying, which added a more industrial character to the final finish.
The sealer replaced the surface again
After sanding and drying, the project added a concrete sealer to the entire planter.
That final layer deepened the color a bit and helped unify the finish on all sides. The sealed surface also gave planters greater protection against water exposure and changing temperatures.
Without sealer, the finish of the feather would have looked more chalky and unfinished over time.
Sealed versions look great near architectural concrete planters used around patios and entryways.
The square shape changed the entry way
One of the strongest parts of the project came from the scale itself.
The tall square form gave the planters a heavy architectural look next to the small wooden walkway and front door. Because the walls are thick and straight rather than curved, containers feel more permanent than lightweight plastic or resin planters.
The concrete texture contrasts with grass, mulch, and even flowers without competing with the surrounding landscaping.
Finished planters look more expensive than materials
The biggest surprise is how few end planters still resemble patio pavers.
Once coated and sealed, the seams disappear altogether and the structure begins to read more like a poured concrete container rather than an assembled slab. Soft texture variations on the sides also keep the planters from looking too smooth or factory-made.
The end result looks closer to the modern landscape planters seen outside boutique hotels and contemporary homes than a weekend project made of pavers and adhesive.
I’ll admit, I probably prefer the raw paver version without the feather finish because the exposed seams and rough concrete edges give the planters a strong industrial look. But the added coating and sealer makes more sense outdoors in the long run because it helps protect the joint from moisture and gives the surface a cleaner finish.
Will you keep the raw stacked-paver look, or add a concrete coating and sealer like Britney?
