NMN Designs. Outdoor Planters for Office, Office Planters for Entryway, Patio, Dividers

NMN Designs Outdoor Office Planter Pots and Boxes

Modern Outdoor Office & Commercial Planters

NMN Designs makes modern, architectural planters for office entrances, patios, rooftop terraces, lobbies and outdoor dividers. They come in steel-reinforced fiberglass, heavy-duty 18/8 stainless steel and seamless aluminum. All are commercial-grade, lightweight and built for four seasons, in sizes from 12" low troughs to 31" extra-large planters. 

At a glance:

• Entrances: large 24–31" cubes and cylinders (Seeley, Knox XL)
• Dividers: the raised Madeira Barrier, plus full-height Aster and Hamilton
• Covered entries and lobbies: undrilled, surface-safe Knox and Madeira, or fiberglass with the included plugs
• Finishes: matte white, gray and black fiberglass, faux concrete, brushed stainless, silver aluminum
• Where made: fiberglass, stainless steel and aluminum in India; steel products in Mexico
• Buy manufacturer direct from NMN Designs, with a 90-day defect-free warranty

Why designers choose NMN Designs

• Modern, architectural design. Clean lines suit contemporary, industrial and modern buildings.
• Commercial grade. Specified for office entrances, hotels, restaurants, retail and rooftops.
• Built for four seasons. Handles freeze-thaw, UV and heavy wet soil without cracking, fading or bowing.
• Lightweight. Far lighter than concrete or stone, so staff can position planters easily.
• Coordinated collections. Matching finishes in multiple sizes carry one look from entrance to lobby.
• Manufacturer direct since 2001. A family business near Chicago, with real people who help you choose the right size. 

Materials built for commercial spaces

Steel-reinforced fiberglass. Light, rigid at large sizes and UV-resistant. It flexes through freeze-thaw where concrete cracks. Every fiberglass planter has drainage holes and comes with plugs, so it works outdoors or in the lobby. Matte white, gray and black suit modern facades, and faux concrete fits industrial spaces.

Heavy-duty 18/8 stainless steel. Commercial-grade and rust-resistant, with a brushed industrial finish that hides fingerprints. The surface-safe base has no drainage holes, which protects pavers and lobby floors.

Seamless aluminum. No welded seams to leak or corrode. Rustproof, lightweight and waterproof-lined, with crisp architectural lines.

Which planter goes where?

Planning dividers and screens

• Planters per 10 ft: About 3 Madeira Barrier or Aster planters (37–38" long), 4 Julian (30") or 5 Hamilton (23").
• Raised vs. full-height: Raised troughs like the Madeira Barrier are light, easy to move and keep a modern, open line. They work on most patios, storefronts, courtyards and indoor spaces. Full-height planters hold more soil for shrubs and evergreen screens, and they're the better choice for exposed, gusty sites.
• Height: A tall 29–30" planter creates a seated-height screen on its own. Low 12" planters work too when planted with tall grasses or pencil evergreens, such as 'North Pole' arborvitae or 'Sky Pencil' holly. The plants supply the height, which gives a lighter, modern look and puts less weight on decks and rooftops.
• Plants: For screens, use boxwood, skip laurel, arborvitae, yew, ornamental grasses and pencil evergreens. For raised troughs, use ferns, trailing plants and seasonal color.
• Clear paths: Leave at least 36" of clear walkway, the ADA minimum for accessible routes. Check local codes.

Drainage: Knox, Madeira and fiberglass

• Fiberglass planters include drainage holes and plugs. Leave the holes open for outdoor planting, or plug them for lobbies and covered spaces.
• Knox and most Madeira metal planters are undrilled. They suit covered entries, building overhangs and courtyards that get little rain, and they won't leak onto pavers, decking or lobby floors.
• Need drainage? Knox and Madeira can be drilled for direct outdoor planting.
• Easy seasonal refresh: Leave plants in their nursery pots and drop them into Knox or Madeira planters. Swap from winter evergreens to holiday trees to spring flowers without replanting.

Stability, rooftops and care

• Wind: In exposed spots such as open plazas, high rooftops and waterfronts, use full-height planters with wide bases or add gravel ballast.
• Rooftops: Use lightweight soil, place planters before filling them, and confirm load limits with your building engineer.
• Winter: Insulate metal and low planters, and water evergreens before the ground freezes.

Knox XXL 31" Diameter stainless steel planters on sidewalk

FAQ

What size planter is best for a modern office entrance?
A matched pair of 24–31" architectural planters with 4–6 ft evergreens or small trees.

What are the best planters for restaurant and office dividers?
Three popular choices cover most layouts:

• Madeira Barrier (37" L × 30" H): Our most popular raised divider, a seamless aluminum trough on an iron stand. It's light and easy to rearrange, and it defines seating areas without blocking sightlines. Ideal for patios, courtyards and indoor spaces.
• Aster (38" L × 29" H): A popular full-height divider in heavy-duty fiberglass with steel reinforcement. Its long span covers more ground with fewer planters, and it's a strong choice for open or windy sites.
• Hamilton (23" L × 30" H): A popular compact divider in steel-reinforced fiberglass. It fits tight spaces and suits pencil evergreens and tall grasses.

For a 10 ft run, plan on about 3 Madeira Barrier or Aster planters, or 5 Hamilton.

Do Knox and Madeira planters have drainage holes?
Most don't. Undrilled planters are ideal under overhangs, in covered entries and indoors, where they won't leak onto floors or pavers. For direct planting in rain-exposed spots, drill drainage holes or choose a fiberglass planter with built-in drainage.

Can low planters create privacy?
Yes. A 12" planter with tall grasses or pencil evergreens makes a light, modern screen. It fits 2–3 gallon nursery pots. In cold climates, choose hardy grasses or arborvitae.

Which planters suit industrial-style spaces?
Brushed stainless steel, seamless aluminum and faux-concrete fiberglass. They pair well with exposed brick, steel and concrete.

What plants work in outdoor office planters?
Low-maintenance evergreens such as boxwood, arborvitae, yew and skip laurel, plus ornamental grasses. Add seasonal annuals for color.

Will planters blow over?
Not in most locations, because filled planters are heavy. In gusty sites, use full-height planters like Aster or Hamilton, add gravel ballast, or set tall planters against a wall.

Can the same planters be used indoors?
Yes. Fiberglass planters bring modern, architectural color to lobbies and reception areas in matte white, gray and black. Just insert the included drainage plugs. Stainless steel and aluminum are undrilled and surface-safe, so they're ready for indoor use as-is.