How to Set Color and Style Tones with Trough Planters
The perfect fusion of form and function, trough style planters deliver sleek design with a sturdy, substantial footprint.
When your project calls for planters that are durable enough to handle big bushes and plants, trough planters are an ideal option.
With their long, deep rectangular design and substantial footprint, trough planters deliver the strength you need for projects that make a statement. Trough planters are perfect for dividing open spaces, creating living walls, infusing gardens with focal points, and beyond.
But here’s the really special part: with trough planters, you don’t have to sacrifice form for function.
The modern design of today’s trough planters creates an inviting and vibrant addition to the aesthetic of your residential, commercial, or hospitality space.
If you’re unfamiliar with trough planters, keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
Modern Elite Trough Planter at Southcentre Mall Calgary, AB Canada
Types of Trough Style Planters
Trough planters are rectangular, but their defined shape doesn’t limit their versatility. You can use them both indoors and outdoors in a variety of ways, making them a good fit for most projects.
To determine which trough planter you should choose, it’s important to first define how you’ll be using the planter.
Small Trough Planters
Best for: Adding interest and greenery to spaces with a small footprint
If you need planters for spaces like restaurant patios, pool decks, and waiting areas, opt for smaller-sized trough planters like the Modern Elite Low Rectangle Planter.
Designed with a space-saving profile, this planter maximizes valuable floor space, allowing you to incorporate elements of greenery without sacrificing square footage.
Large Trough Planters
Best for: Creating a bold and eye-catching element to sizable spaces
When your project requires a significant standalone statement piece or a grouping of planters to create a substantial visual impact, large trough planters, like the Webber Narrow Rectangle Planter, will give you the desired result.
While larger in size, these tall, sleek, and elegant trough planters maximize floor space while also offering a modern aesthetic.
PurePots Fiberglass Trough Planters at Tulane University New Orleans, LA
Styling Trough Planters
To choose the right trough planter, it’s also important to consider how you’d like to style the planter.
Styling depends heavily on the space in which the planter will live. Luckily, the rectangular shape of the trough planter makes it incredibly dynamic in terms of styling, so your options are abundant.
Here are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Choosing the Right Sized Trough Planters
Selecting the right size and scale of your trough planters is vitally important. Getting the size wrong can negatively impact the entire look and feel of your space. If you’re unsure where to start, PureModern’s team of experts would be happy to help.
Large planters carry a certain appeal, but when a trough planter is too big for the space, you run the risk of unfavorably warping the aesthetics of that space.
On the other hand, if the planters are too small, your design might produce a considerably underwhelming effect and actually detract from the overall aesthetic.
It’s important to strategically incorporate planters into your design plan rather than treating them as an afterthought. By doing so, you ensure the planters properly align with your space and its contents.
Picking Colors and Style Tones
Color and textures are among the most important elements of your design plan. And speaking to a design professional from the outset makes it easy to pick a color palette and textures that will give your space the look and feel you desire.
However, if you consulting with a professional doesn’t work for your budget, here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing a color palette and textures:
Interior Design Color Psychology: Warm tones like red, orange, and maroon make people feel passionate or energized. Cool tones like green, blue, and purple create a relaxing effect. And finally, neutral tones like gray and white usually leave people feeling serene. White is light and bright, acts as a universal neutralizer, and works wonders for adding highlights.
Follow the 60-30-10 Rule: Paint 60% of a room the most desired color. 30% of the room should feature a color that’s complementary to that first (most desired) color. Finally, for the remaining 10%, use another unique color that contrasts the other two.
Play Around with Patterns and Textures: Show off the same tone in different ways with patterns and textures. It’ll not only create visual interest but add depth to the interior.
Be at Peace with Imperfection: An overly matchy-matchy space may look beautiful but often feels unwelcoming. Variation and contrast add character and warmth.
Use Contrasting Tones: People often fear contrasting tones will clash, when, in fact, such contrast creates striking yet harmonious designs. Identify contrasting colors by looking at a color wheel — shades opposite one another should deliver an interesting contrasting effect.
You can also take this free interior design style quiz from Decorilla to help point you in the right direction.
And if you’re in need of inspiration, take a look at these 12 before and after examples of beautiful mid-century modern design projects.
Indoor Trough Planters
Your trough planters contribute significantly to the way your space looks, feels, and functions. It’s important to consider how they’ll complement or contrast your furniture, decor, paint, and other accent pieces.
Think about whether you want them to be understated additions to the space or if you’d like them to be statement pieces that catch people’s eyes and attention. Their sizes, shapes, colors, and materials will all contribute to the role your trough planters play within your space.
At PureModern, our trough planters are completely customizable. We can even match your planter’s color exactly to any RAL chart, or your favorite national paint brand color code.
Outdoor Trough Planters
Colors for outdoor trough planters, on the other hand, can be chosen more liberally, as there are typically fewer items of furniture or decor influencing the area’s color scheme.
Still, if you’re looking to optimize the aesthetic appeal of your space, it’s important to carefully consider the big picture before adding colored planters.
Identifying the Right Type of Trough Planter Material
Trough planters are available in a few different materials, each with its own optimal use case. So, before purchasing your planters, think about which material best suits your needs.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a composite material made of molten glass that’s been forced through small holes and then woven into fibers.
Fiberglass planters are UV-resistant, they’ll never rust, and maintenance is minimal.
They’re also completely customizable, lightweight, and durable, available in a number of colors and finishes, including beaten copper, which flawlessly replicates the appearance of metal, as well as a thatched woven finish.
Wood
If you’re looking for planters with an organic appearance, wood-clad planters are a great option.
Fabricated with aluminum and then modified with wood paneling, wood-clad trough planters offer the structural integrity of metal with the soft, natural appearance of wood.
These planters are ideal when you want a rustic aesthetic in your landscape design.
Powder-Coated Aluminum
The perfect fusion of strength and dynamic design, powder-coated aluminum doesn’t rust and can withstand UV rays, temperature changes, and other severe weather conditions.
In addition to their durability, aluminum planters can be modified to add elements like castors, lights, speakers, or even toe kicks to create the illusion that the planters are floating.
This planter material works well in all indoor and outdoor applications but works especially well on rooftops or places where the overall weight of the planter, plant, and filler is a consideration.
COR-TEN Weathering Steel
A naturally oxidized steel that’s highly sought-after for its unique look, durability, and weather and corrosion resistance, COR-TEN Weathering Steel trough planters are optimal for outdoor settings.
While these planters will look like raw metal when you first receive them, they’ll patina over time to an orange-brown color. Not only does the patina provide them with a beautiful, modern industrial aesthetic, it also acts as a form of powder-coating that creates extra durability.
It’s important to note that the patina process also causes COR-TEN Weathering Steel planters to bleed. Because salt water can compromise the patina process, it’s best to choose these planters for landscape design projects that are away from large bodies of water.
For more information about how to pick the right planter materials for your needs, access our Guide to Four Common Planter Materials.
Using Planters as Room Dividers and Versatile Focal Points
Since trough planters come in various sizes and shapes, they create pleasing effects.
Some eye-catching ideas include:
Grouping multiple elevated garden beds
Creating homes for miniature evergreen plantings
Dividing up large spaces into smaller areas
Crafting green walls
Holding small volumes of flowers and foliage
To learn more, read our article: Why Use Planter Dividers in a Commercial Setting?
Modern Elite Trough Planters at Kivvit in Chicago, IL
Drainage Is as Important as Style with Trough Planters
When it comes to picking trough planters, proper drainage is an important consideration.
Plants clearly need water to survive, but not everyone knows just how important air and proper drainage are for keeping plants healthy.
When water doesn’t drain properly, the plant’s roots can’t access enough oxygen. By allowing excess water to seep out after watering, you can ensure that water won’t pool at the base of your pot, thereby helping to protect your plant’s roots from bacteria, fungus, and rot.
You can achieve proper drainage in several ways:
Double Potting: Double potting is when you slip one planter inside another. With this method, you place your plant inside a larger—and perhaps more decorative—planter without disturbing the roots.
Using Gravel: Adding a layer of gravel or rocks can help with drainage. This way, excess water has a place to go.
Incorporating Planter Risers: Made from recycled tires, plant risers like the Lift N’ Level Kit sit at the base of your container and provide efficient air circulation under your pot to ward off potential disease.
Purchasing Sub-Irrigation Systems: Containers like Ollie Plant Sippers draw water automatically from an internal reservoir using capillary action. By incorporating a system like this into containerized plants, you’ll be providing water and nutrients to promote plant growth and minimize the need for liquid fertilizer.
Adding Non-Biodegradable Filler: Non-biodegradable packing peanuts and other types of filler materials can help with drainage and reduce the soil needs for trough-style planters, which tend to be quite deep.
To learn about the complex topic of draining and plant health in-depth, read through this comprehensive guide: Why is Drainage Important for Plants?
Modern Elite Trough Planters at National Cancer Institute Rockville, MD
Learn More
When you need large, sturdy, and versatile planters that seamlessly fuse form with function, trough planters are a perfect option.
The key is to decide on your size, color, and style needs first. And then select the material that best suits the aesthetic for your overall project.
If you’ve got questions about how to pick or style the perfect trough planters for your space, request a quote today. Our experts will be happy to help you.
