Ditch Industrial-Looking Rain Barrels For An Elegant Alternative With This Cool Diy

Rain barrels are an effective way to manage and conserve water on your property, but their practicality often means that they end up looking industrial, worn, and overall unappealing most of the time. A rain barrel can reduce runoff, movement of pollutants, erosion, and flooding. It also helps you save drinking water by giving you another water source for outdoor use. There are plenty of clever ways to reuse rainwater around your home and garden. For example, rainwater, specifically, is very healthy for plants. Despite these impressive benefits, if the dull look of most rain barrels is putting you off the idea, then DIYing your own elegant rain barrel setup may be the solution that lets you reap the benefits while keeping your yard attractive.

One DIY design that can elevate the look of a rain barrel involves choosing a stylish rain barrel, creating a level surface for the barrel, building a wooden stand, and decorating strategically with plants and rocks. The exact materials you need will depend on your desired aesthetic, but the main features will be the rain barrel, wooden stand, and porcelain stone-plated base. While you can use leftover materials to DIY a rain barrel stand, be sure to use high-quality wood and stain, and pair it with a beautiful barrel and stone slab to achieve the luxurious look. You will also need cement for the base and equipment to redirect the flow of water from your downspout into the rain barrel.

When shopping for a rain barrel, make sure you have a good understanding of the amount of rainfall your home gets, particularly near the downspout of your home, so that you get the correct size. In general, barrels that hold 50 to 90 gallons are suitable for most houses. Once you know the size, you can look at aesthetics. Rain barrels with visually-appealing designs can be found at many home and garden stores for under $200. The Good Ideas Impressions Palm 50-gallon barrel, which costs $168 at Home Depot, and the Algreen Athena 80-gallon barrel for $189 at Tractor Supply Co. are just two of many options, so you should be able to find one in a size and style you like.

Once you have your barrel, you can start to assemble everything. Start by selecting a location near your house's downspout to put your rain barrel. Mark off an area to clear and level. Compact the soil, and add a layer of gravel followed by a layer of sand, and then place your form for pouring. The size and shape of the form should match your porcelain slab so that the slab can cover it completely. Check once more that everything is level, and then pour your concrete. Once it sets, remove the wood frame and spread cement on top to secure the porcelain slab and complete the base. Adjust any rock or mulch around the base to make it look more finished. Next, you will build the wooden stand and then assemble everything.

Depending on the size of the barrel, it is likely to weigh between 400 and 750 pounds when full, so building a strong, sturdy stand is important. Cut four 4x4 pieces to your desired stand height to act as the legs. Take two legs and connect them with a cut 2x4 at the top outside of the legs. Repeat the process with the other two legs, and then secure the two pieces with another 2x4 so that there is a rectangle or square around the top of the legs. Finish it off by adding deck board pieces to the top or a solid piece of wood for a more polished look. Paint or stain the wood if you'd like, and then place it on top of the base.

Follow the directions of your specific rain barrel to set it up on top of the stand. Place a plant or faux plant on top of the rain barrel and a cute watering can at the lowest spigot to make it look even more curated, and then your rain barrel will be ready for use. Just be sure to avoid the common mistakes when using a rain barrel and to maintain it properly. This involves disconnecting the rain barrel and moving it indoors during the winter, opening the spigots if you will be away from it for a while to prevent overflows, and cleaning the barrel and downspout a few times per year to reduce mosquitoes and mess. These steps will keep your barrel looking nice for longer.