19 DIY Rain Barrel Ideas To Collect Rainwater For Use

DIY Rain Barrel Ideas

You can easily make a free and cheap rainwater collector by converting an old trash can or metal barrel into a rain barrel. So, use these cheap DIY rain barrel ideas and build a small garden near your house or backyard without being curious about the water supply.

What Is The Quality Of Rainwater?

Rainwater harvesting is important to saving water and reducing households' reliance on municipal water supply. The rainwater will be just a great type of water for your garden plant growth. If you have a good supply of rainwater, you can reduce the usage of your well water, too, so you can avoid higher water bills.

Using our trendy rain barrel ideas, you can save a lot of money by building your rain barrel to collect rainwater from the roof to water plants and gardens. It can also be a great way to save water for irrigation and reduce the water bill. If you want to build your rain barrel, these DIY ideas will help you save lots of money.

How To Build A Rain Barrel?

Making your own Rain Barrel will be an easier project that can be done with simple supplies like:

• Barrel/Drum
• Spigot
• Tap
• Sealent Glue
• Paint Or Other Staining Techniques

Just follow the simple process no matter which idea you select, but this general guide will always suit you best.

• Start with a big-sized barrel (it must be food grade or one made from wood; otherwise, plastic barrels may have a bad impact on your rainwater), clean it thoroughly, and drill a hole at its bottom for a spigot point.
• Add a tap or anything you want to access the water collected inside.
• Lastly, paint the finished rain barrel matching your home's theme or personal desire, and you're done.

Homemade DIY Rain Barrel

Rain barrels usually seem very ugly, especially if you're a DIYer. You can't go with a simple rain barrel because it's against a hustler's ambition. This is the same reason why I present this amazing guide for painting and stylizing a simple drum into a masterpiece of art that will surely serve the purpose and be a part of your home decor, too.

• 1× 55-gallon Food Grade Drum
• 4× Indoor/Outdoor Multi-Surface Primer
• 2× Outdoor Paint (color of choice)
• 1× Charcoal Black Paint
• 1× Weathered Wood Paint
• 3× 1″ Green Painter’s Tape
• 1× Gold Metallic Paint Marker
• 1× Wood Graining Tool
• 1× Diverter Kit for Rain Barrel
• 1× Quick Finish Sprayer
• 1× Craft Stick
• 1× Foam Paint Brush
• 1× Razor Knife to cut out plastic lid

For making this rain barrel, start with a water gallon drum, clean it inside out, and make it ready to apply paint. Paint it thoroughly; after finishing the first coat, make lines on it for a wood grain effect, and then use the black paint to make it look more sleek and give a superb look. It's basically a rain barrel decoration project, although there is also some instruction to collect water from your roof, and the guide about installing the diverter kit is also included in the link below.

prodigalpieces

Cheap DIY Rain Barrel

Are you in search of a rain barrel that's cheap to make and serves well for the purpose? Then, following this amazing guide will be a great option for you.

You need the given materials like:

• Plastic garbage can
• Spigot
• Two Metal washers
• Hose clamp
• Watertight sealant
• Drill
• Razor blade

To make this cheaper rain barrel, start by drilling a hole in the bottom of your drum or garbage can, as shown in the above pic. This hole will be used to install a spigot with a washer on its back and apply glue to seal the hole properly. When the glue gets dried to that can under the gutter or that pipe collecting all the water from your roof and whatever the area is, it will automatically fall inside and get stored for later use. Open the tap you added at the bottom of your can and enjoy the rainy water benefits, whether for gardening or other useful tasks.

medium

DIY Rain Barrel Watering System

Have your first step toward being eco-friendly by reusing and utilizing the wasted rain water with the help of this amazing DIY rain barrel. It works well and helps you use the rainwater for amazing benefits.

Get a simple barrel or a drum on your hand and start cleaning it thoroughly from the inside out. Then apply darker colored paint on this barrel and let it look stylish and reduce algae growth. You can connect it with the rainwater pipe coming down the roof and connect it to your barrel for water collection, and an added simple tap on the bottom will make it easier to use that water, whether for gardening or other needs. Overall, it'll be a helpful project, and you'll also admire making it an eco-friendly option.

aces

DIY Rain Barrel Watering System

If you want to use the water pouring down from the sky for gardening, harvesting, and other useful options, making this rain barrel is a good option. It'll save money, protect drinkable water from being wasted, and efficiently utilize rainwater.

The materials you need for making this barrel are:

• Waterproof container (preferably a large plastic drum)
• Drill and drill bit
• ¾-inch Bulkhead fitting with a silicone ring
• ¾-inch Brass faucet
• Plumbing tape
• Waterproof caulk

First, get your barrel on hand, mark where you want your spigot to be, and create a hole using a drill. Add the tap there, use a plumbing tap to reduce the chances of leakage, and you're done. Before placing his rain barrel for water collection, collect the leaks properly, especially the spigot area, and then fix it wherever you want. If you're using a straight water gutter, then okay, but if you want to use any diverter, the creator has added instructions for this, too; you can also use a mesh screen for the barrel lid to keep the leaves and other stuff going inside your barrel and protect your barrel or the tap from being blocked with the garbage.

thekitchengarten

DIY Rain Barrel Stand

If you have a huge amount of rainwater wasted and want to use it for other fruitful options, following this fantastic guide will surely benefit you. It's a simple rain barrel holder project; we can call it a woodworking and plumbing project, although you can use three large-sized barrels and arrange them in a holding position vertically to collect water and store it for later use. The plumbing skills needed for making this rain barrel are advanced and will help you save a lot of water ( about 1400 lbs).

Some of the materials you need are:

• Three Rain Barrels
• Wooden Planks
• Stainless Steel Feet
• Hose Spigot
• Drainpipe
• Plumbing Supplies
• Staining Material
• Drill
• Saw
• Hammer
• Nails
• Screws

odditymall

DIY Rain Barrel For Garden

This amazing idea will help you DIY a rain barrel that will collect rainwater and add beautiful decorations to your garden with minimal effort. You can turn them into a Jurassic Park theme barrel and get admiration from the kids and people seeing it. This decorative rain barrel will look way more unique than the simple, boring blue one, and I hope you'll also like it.

Materials You Need For Making This Rain Barrel Are:

• Plastic barrel
• Warm water
• White distilled vinegar
• Scrubbing brush
• Hose
• Ultra-fine sandpaper (800-1000 grit)
• 2-3 cans of acrylic spray paint (for base color)
• 2 cans of acrylic plastic primer
• 2 cans of polyurethane sealer
• Artistic acrylic paint (for decoration)
• Assorted paint brushes
• Drop cloths

Get the simple barrels cleaned thoroughly for painting. Use sandpaper for further smoothing and make it look more sleek. Start by applying a light coat of paint and let it dry; then, later, use acrylic spray paint for multiple coats to achieve the desired look.

bluebarrelsystems

How To Make A DIY Rain Barrel

When you want to go green, it is a good idea for you to make a rain barrel system. It lets you collect large supplies of runoff rainwater at home and use it for watering your lawns and gardens. We will show you how to do this in this tutorial and utilize the wasted rainwater for better results.

Materials You Need Are:

• (3) 55-gallon closed-top plastic drums
• 2" flex-elbow
• 8 oz can of PVC cleaner
• 8 oz can of PVC cement
• rain barrel stand (or make your own)
• jigsaw
• drill
• 2-½” hole saw
• (4) 2-½” threaded male plumbing connector
• (4) 2-½” PVC elbow
• (2) 2-½” PVC tees
• (2) 2-½” x 5' PVC pipe¾" insert x spigot PVC adapter sched 40
• 2-½" socket x FNPT PVC female adapter sched 40
• /4” brass hose bib
• 2-½ oz. tube of clear silicone
• plumber’s tape

hgtv

DIY Rain Barrel Planter

This fancy rain barrel is a delight to the eyes, thanks to its rustic cover. The cover comprises wood boards wrapped around with rope loops for a charming look. It also features a planter on top, which adds to its beauty. With the help of recycled barrels, copper faucets, brass fittings, and iron pipes, you can make this beautiful rain barrel of your own. With its capacity to hold up to 300 liters of water, this is perfect for any home that uses a lot of water while watering its plants or garden.

hgtv

DIY Rain Barrel Trash Can

Make your rain barrel from a garbage can. It's easy to set up, and once it is filled with water, it will collect about 20 gallons--giving you a great place to store that much-needed moisture for watering your gardens or lawns. If the barrel is placed on a wood platform, the water can flow from the bottom into a hose or other drainage system. You'll need something to cover the top of the barrel during winter; otherwise, it can be used year-round.

• 20-gallon plastic garbage can
• Hole saw bit for drilling
• Mosquito screen
• Waterproof duct tape
• Valve spigot with a bulkhead fitting
• Teflon tape
• Electrical wire for securing the lid
• Materials for the stand: pressure-treated wood (2 x 4s, 2 x 6s, and 4 x 4s), construction screws
• Metal hooks and carabiner-style bungee cords for securing the barrel to the stand

justmeasuringup

DIY Rain Barrel For Beginners

Adding this rain barrel to your garden will help you save water, reduce runoff, and improve irrigation efficiency. This barrel works well for landscaping, flowerbeds, and vegetable gardens. Whether you need to water your plants or keep your lawn green, this DIY rain barrel will give you the water you need.

The Materials You Need Are:

• 55-gallon plastic drum or a food-grade barrel from a large restaurant
• Brass faucet with fittings
• ¾" spade drill bit
• Jigsaw
• Drill
• Utility knife
• Sharpie Marker pen
• Fiberglass window screen
• Second ¾ inch faucet or PVC pipe for overflow

commonsensehome

How To Make A Rain Barrel

The rain barrel lets you capture and use the rainwater for gardening and landscaping. The first thing you need to know about building a rain barrel is that it doesn't involve costly materials and covers a vast area of your garden. On the one hand, you must ensure that you get all the proper sized PVC pipes and fittings (same as we did) so they can fit perfectly with this plan.

Tools Required:

• 2-¼ in Hole saw
• Cordless drill

Materials Required

• 2-in. female threaded electrical (gray PVC) conduit adapter
• 2-in. male threaded electrical (gray PVC) conduit adapter
• 4x4 treated lumber and construction screws or stainless steel lags
• 55-gal. barrel with lid
• Glue
• if you build a stand to elevate the rain barrel(s)
• Screen
• Sections of 2-in. PVC pipe
• Silicone caulk
• Threaded electrical PVC coupler
• Unions reducers and valves

familyhandyman

Large Plastic Drum DIY Rain Barrel

Save money by collecting rainwater in this 55-gallon food-grade plastic container. Once you have the parts handy, no more expensive water bills are waiting for you every month. All you need to do is drill a hole in the bottom of a food-grade plastic container and attach a male spigot using Teflon tape.

You need all the given material for this project: 

• 55 gallon (208 L) barrel
• 15/16” (24 mm) drill bit and drill
• ¾” (2 cm) pipe tap
• ¾” (2 cm) male spigot
• ¾” (2 cm) thread (male) to ½” (1.3 cm) hose connection hose barb
• Teflon tape
• Crescent wrench
• Diverter kit

empressofdirt

Homemade DIY Rain Barrel

Start by placing a cinder block to stabilize your barrel's surface, then put the barrel on it. Use the drill to make a hole in your downspout and connect that hole via a pipe with another hole at the top of your drum/ barrel. Let the water float and store it in this barrel. Add a tap or pipe at the bottom of your barrel, and you can use the wasted rainwater without much effort.

• 58-gallon food-grade barrel
• Rain barrel kit (similar to this one mentioned but not linked in the post)
• Gutter and downspout
• Debris catcher for the gutter/downspout
• Cinder blocks (for elevation)
• A drill
• Hose
• Hose holder
• Spray paint

twotwentyone

Rustic Rain Barrel Idea

This rain barrel reservoir adds a touch of rustic beauty to your yard or garden. Heavy-duty 2x6 lumber makes the base, and you will get the lid custom-fit to keep debris out of your water supply. They save water and add a rustic touch to your yard or garden. Best of all, you can make one yourself! We'll show you how to build an old-fashioned rain barrel with reclaimed wood that will last years in your outdoor space.

The supplies needed are:

• 59-gallon wine cask $150
• patio screen material $7
• metal grate, like on a grill, or 8 small 9" rods (optional)
• 3ft. 1x1 oak (shortest I could find was 6ft.) $5
• 8 panel nails $1
• ¾ brass spigot $8
• 8ft. 2x6 cedar $10
• 8 tan deck screws $4
• rocks of your choosing $10

instructables

How To Make A Rain Barrel

If you love having your rain barrel system but aren’t keen on spending hundreds of dollars to purchase one. This DIY guide will walk you through making your rain barrel. You won’t believe how easy it is! This rain barrel is perfect for capturing rainwater runoff on your property and recycling it into usable water.

Get the following materials on hand:

• A large barrel or drum
• 4 Rubber O-rings
• A PVC reducer
• A small piece of screen
• Spade drill bit with a diameter of ⅞ or 1 inch
• Jigsaw or another similar tool
• Spigot
• Plumbing sealant (optional)
• A hose
• Large black tubing for connection to the gutter.

growforagecookferment

DIY Rain Barrel For Garden

This rain barrel is specifically best for heavy-duty use. It features a floating lid that allows rainwater to enter the tank without worrying about siphoning or overflowing. The black cover helps keep debris out of the water and simplifies refilling your rain barrel by lifting off the top and pouring water into your watering can. This rain barrel also features custom fittings, adapters, and PVC pipes for easy installation on downspouts.

You'll need:

• A food-grade barrel
• Rain Barrel Kit from Earth Minde
• A drill

simplepracticalbeautiful

DIY Rain Barrel Garbage Can

Nothing beats the cool, clean water from a rain barrel. This easy-to-build project is made from heavy-duty plastic trash cans and the simplest hardware. The hack consists of creating an overflow to have your barrel full in those rainy times and keeping your garden water-ready all year. The barrel is elevated on concrete blocks, and the lid is fitted with a water pipe. This rain barrel can be connected to an existing downspout or rain gutter using an overflow pipe.

Get these supplies on hand:

• Heavy-duty commercial trash can
• 1¾-in. hose bibb, male threads
• 1 female hose connector
• 1 male hose mender
• 1 female pipe connector
• 1 1-in. fender washer
• 1 plastic downspout adapter
• 1-sq.-ft. 16x18 fiberglass window screen
• 1 4-in. hose clamp
• 2 1-in. conduit straps
• 4 #8 ½ -in. sheet metal screws
• 1 4-ft. length of garden hose (or longer)
• Downspout elbows or flexible adapter
• 5-minute epoxy
• Silicone sealant
• Concrete blocks for base

gardengatemagazine

DIY Rain Barrel Diverter

This rain barrel with a diverter helps you save on water bills by capturing extra water from your downspouts and storing it for later use. This simple DIY rain barrel can capture between 30 and 100 gallons of rainwater per season. Plus, a built-in diverter makes watering your garden easy. Once completed, you can use the diverter to divert water from your existing hose bib into the rain barrel or use this DIY rain barrel as a reservoir for watering plants around your home.

• Food-grade chemical barrel
• 3" X 1-½" PVC Coupling
• ¾" Conduit locknut
• ¾" Brass locknut
• ¾" Drain valve
• 3" X 4" X 4" Downspout adapter (X2)
• 3" X 2" PVC Bushing
• 2" threaded PVC male adapter
• 3" 90-degree PVC street elbow
• 4" X 4" X 3" PVC sanitary tee
• All-weather PVC cement
• PVC primer
• Marine Goop sealant
• Aluminum gutter screen
• TFE thread paste

instructables

DIY Rain Barrel System With Wine Barrel

The Wooden Rain Barrel is a stunningly beautiful solution to water your garden with recycled rainwater. It can be used in your garden or yard as a standalone or complementary product. Made of high-quality, naturally finished wood, this rain barrel has a dry space at the bottom to accommodate an overflow hose spigot. Its wooden lid protects against mosquitoes, insects, and dirt while providing basic access for easy refilling and cleaning.

instructables