Old buckets can have a variety of uses in the garden, so don’t be quick to dispose of them yet.
Whether you have one or multiple buckets, there are simple garden projects you can undertake to repurpose buckets and elevate the look of your garden.
You can paint the buckets or maintain their natural metallic color for an amazing rustic look.
This article will highlight 26 brilliant ideas on how to reuse old buckets in your garden.
Take a look!
1. Make a Fire Pit
When you have an outdoor sitting area such as a patio, there are limited options in terms of heating; one of the most effective ones is a fire pit. When creating a firepit, you first need to consider how to contain the fire; old metal buckets are the perfect material.
In this design, the fire pit is made of an old metal bucket, which has been polished for an extra charm.
2. Grow Some Lilies
Lilies symbolize beauty and purity in literature, history and mythology. There are over 100 species of lilies, and you can easily explore the growing options in your garden; all you need is a bucket.
Here, the bucket has been used to grow lilies and other water plants that add beauty to the garden.
3. A Miniature Pond
A pond is one unique addition to your outdoor space. In most cases, people will go for fancy pond designs; however, a simple bucket pond can also do the trick, especially if you’re working on a budget.
In this design, a bucket hosts the pond with several decorating features such as stones, glass, and water plants.
4. Add a Unique Fountain
A fountain will add visual interest to your pond; it can also act as the water delivery mechanism for the pond.
In this design, the old metallic bucket is part of the fountain design, with the plants on the bucket making the pond more lively. The stones around the pond add a rustic charm to the whole space.
5. Pulley Bucket Planters
Old buckets make the perfect planters. Their metallic rustic look matches the outdoor environment well, and they are easy to drill and make drainage holes.
Here, two old buckets have been used as planters hosted on a pulley system. The pulley system adds more artistic flair to the designs.
6. Accent Your Rock Garden
Rock gardens mostly have a functional purpose in a garden; they can either be used as retaining walls, gabions or even raised gardens. However, functionality and aesthetics can easily be combined if you’re creative enough.
In this idea, a spilling flower garden has been used to accent this rock garden and improve its visual appeal.
7. Tiered Flower Garden
Flowers can easily spruce up your outdoors, and when you choose the right variety, they can also act as natural air fresheners.
Growing a garden may seem far-fetched when you have limited space, but worry not; old buckets can come to the rescue, like in this space, where multiple buckets have been used to grow flowers.
8. A Feeder for Your Poultry
When you have some feathery friends in your garden, it’s crucial to have a feeder. You can go for many feeders, but none will match the aesthetics and the outdoor environment like this old metal bucket.
Make the feeder adjustable to ensure it’s easily accessible.
9. A Planter for Your Landscape
When looking to add some visual interest and a unique look to your landscape, old buckets can help do the trick.
Unlike all the greenery that likely dominates your outdoor space, old buckets can be customized to the color of your liking. This will help you personalize your space and express your style.
10. Add a Rustic Water Feature
A water feature can elevate any garden, especially if you add a rustic style. This design uses a metallic can and two old metal buckets to make this unconventional water fountain.
The rustic look of the metal and stones makes this garden feel naturally authentic and fits well into the outdoor space.
11. Multi Level Planter
When you have old buckets of different sizes, you can easily use them to create a multilevel planter by stacking them together, like in this design.
The buckets increase the surface area and make for a good landscaping artistic piece.
12. Create a Zen Garden
A Zen garden usually combines different materials, such as rocks, sand sculptures and sometimes even buckets. The various materials bring harmony, tranquility and balance to a space.
In this design, several buckets act as flower planters, contributing to this small Zen garden’s beauty.
13. Repurpose Your Irrigation System
Having a garden means that your plants will need watering or irrigation occasionally, so a watering hose can be handy.
This old bucket has been used to hold the irrigation pipe, giving it a functional use in the garden. The simplistic design of the holder makes it easy to use the hose.
14. Artsy Landscape Addition
It always pays to add some artistic flair to your outdoor space when landscaping. Not only does it add some visual interest to the space, but it can also spike conversations among curious guests.
Here, the old buckets have been used as part of this small garden, which is the focal point of the landscape design. The neatly manicured lawns bring out the garden’s beauty.
15. Hanging Planter
Planters come in different shapes and sizes, and this hanging planter is the latest addition to interesting planter designs.
The bucket’s rustic look blends well with the outdoor space. The main advantage of this hanging planter is that it offers good drainage, so your plants or flowers won’t become waterlogged.
16. DIY Outdoor Cooler
During those hot summer days, a cold drink with a cool breeze outside is all you need to ward off the heat. Having a cooler can make this fantasy a reality.
In this design, the bucket has been repurposed into an outdoor drink cooler that’s easily mobile. Since metal is a good conductor of heat, this cooler quickly disseminates heat, cooling your drinks in no time.
17. Charming Bucket Garden
Forget about using old buckets to decorate a garden; why not grow a whole garden in a bucket?!
This small charm garden utilizes only the bucket space to create a one-of-a-kind garden adorned with succulents and shrubs. The garden’s decorative features add rustic charm, such as the hand spade and old heater.
18. A Water Feature for Your Step Stones
One of the ways to add a unique look to your space is to have statement decor pieces, and this cascading fountain on the stair steps creates just the wow factor for this outdoor space.
Such a design works well if you have a mechanism to recycle the water. The combination of buckets and watering cans creates the perfect aesthetics for the garden.
19. Cascading Flowers
Forget about cascading water features; flowers can be as interesting and come in different colors so you can personalize your outdoors.
Here, buckets have been used to make a one-of-a-kind raised garden with several flowers. The buckets gradually reduce in size at each level, making the design more sturdy.
20. Add Some Rustic Details
Old metal buckets fit well outdoors due to their rustic look, so adding extra rustic details will make them appear more authentic.
Here, the bucket has been fitted with an old rustic handle that adds to the beauty of the planter. The bright flowers in the garden create all the visual interest needed to elevate the space.
21. Frame It
Outdoor art and decor often require thinking outside the box and getting as creative as possible with your limited materials. Framing your planter is a good way to explore your creativity and add a unique art piece.
Here, an old bucket is a planter framed with a wood and metal frame. The rustic color of the frame complements the bucket well, creating a well-rounded décor piece.
22. Create a Bird Feeder
If you want natural entertainment and beautiful sounds, why not add a bird feeder to your outdoors?
Here, small metal buckets have been repurposed into feeders. The chains used to hang the feeders blend seamlessly with the outdoors.
23. Create a Minibar
If you are a fan of minimalism, this bar design is definitely for you. Buckets are used in this simplistic yet efficient bar design.
One bucket is the “bar,” while the other is the seat. Labeling ensures that the buckets aren’t confused for different uses. If you plan on having friends over, you can repurpose even more buckets to act as bar stools.
24. Planters for Your Deck
Planters are the perfect solution for adding some greenery to your deck. You can easily move the plants during bad weather, and they also create less of a mess.
Here, buckets are used as planters to decorate the stairs leading up to the deck in this outdoor space. Extra visual interest is added by the unique figurines placed on the buckets.
25. Be Creative with Outdoor Shelving
Shelves are the perfect storage solution, whether indoors or outdoors. Why throw away old buckets when you can repurpose them on shelves?!
That’s right, buckets can easily serve as a storage solution if you are creative and daring enough. Simply affix the buckets to a wall with the mouth facing outward, and you’ll have a storage solution for your garden or garage.
26. Bring Serenity with a Water Garden
A water garden seems like a daring addition to your outdoors, but once the beautiful flowers bloom, you’ll quickly change your mind.
The bucket has been used as a simple water garden for these lilies. What makes buckets an effective water garden is that they are easy to fill, and you don’t need to incur extra costs, unlike other types of water gardens.
