Buckets.
They’re one of the most versatile items you may have around your home or farm. They’ve been around for generations.
They’re used for carrying water, carrying your harvest, and even to store food or honey.
But you’re probably unaware there are many other uses for a five-gallon bucket. I’m going to share ways to use a bucket which may haven’t crossed your mind in the past.
Here’s how you can put your five-gallon buckets to further good use:
1. Five-Gallon Canvas Tote
Having a snazzy tote on hand is a great thing. It’s wonderful for decorating, great for carrying items around, and also makes for a wonderful organizer in your car.
But purchasing totes can be expensive. This tutorial walks you through how to transfer some cloth and a five-gallon bucket into an awesome tote.
2. DIY Emergency Kit
If you aren’t prepared for an emergency, you’re going to wish you were. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but an emergency (even a small one) will most likely strike in your lifetime.
By using your five-gallon bucket as a way to store an emergency prepared kit, you’ll be ready and won’t have to spend a small fortune to be ready.
3. A Container Garden
This is why I have a ton of five-gallon buckets. When I first began gardening, it started only as a container garden.
Buckets make wonderful containers for a garden. Whether you’re new to gardening or have limited space, five-gallon buckets can be a great friend to you.
4. Five-Gallon Bucket Seat
Do you need a cheap ottoman for your living area, or would you like to have a cushy seat outdoors? A five-gallon bucket could be your answer.
This tutorial walks you through making a comfortable lid for the top of a bucket. The next time you need a soft seat to land on, you’ll be glad to have this one.
5. Emergency Washer
When the power goes out, and you depend upon an electric well for water, you may soon realize what trouble you’re in.
This could even make washing your clothes difficult. Thanks to this manual five-gallon bucket washer, you don’t have to worry about washing clothes any longer.
6. Emergency Toilet
Whether you find yourself in a place where your water won’t work, or you’re camping in the woods, this toilet could be great for you.
This toilet can be easily made, and it could even work during those potty-training years when your child’s bathroom habits are unpredictable.
7. Five-Gallon Bucket Planter
I’ve already mentioned how five-gallon buckets are great for starting your own container garden, but who says they have to stay looking like a bucket?
This tutorial walks you through the process of turning a basic bucket into a simple (but pretty) planter. It’s perfect for any type of plant you’d wish to grow.
8. Chicken Watering System
When we first began raising chickens, we made these waterers. They’re great for being able to keep the water clean.
The only issue is chickens like to gulp water, and they have a hard time doing this if they have to peck for each drop.
9. DIY Wishing Well for Kids
What child wouldn’t love to have their own wishing well? If you’d like to make this wish come true, pull out a five-gallon bucket.
You can easily transform the bucket into a beautiful work of art your kids will love to play with for years to come.
10. Low-Cost Aquaponics System
Are you interested in aquaponics? Does the price of going into aquaponics intimidate you? It doesn’t have to any longer.
This idea for a five-gallon bucket aquaponics system can allow you to try the process out without spending a fortune.
11. A Bucket Dolly
Having a dolly around your home can come in handy when moving heavy items. Instead of lugging everything around, you roll it.
But don’t spend money on an expensive store-bought dolly. Use this tutorial to create a round dolly made from a bucket.
12. Bike Stand
If you have kids who like to ride their bikes and throw them down on the ground when they’re done, you’ll love this idea.
Cut a bucket in half and use each side to properly prop the bike up. This will keep the toys out of the yard, and the bikes well maintained.
13. Solar Hot Water Heater
When you don’t have an electric water heater, are you doomed to cold showers for the rest of your life? Thankfully, no you aren’t.
Instead, you can paint a five-gallon bucket black and place it outside in the sun. This will heat up the water inside of it and be an off-grid way to enjoy a warm shower.
14. Strawberry Tower
I’ve had better experience growing strawberries in containers than I have planting them in a raised bed or in the ground.
If you’d like to try growing strawberries in a container, consider this idea for a strawberry tower and see what your opinion is.
15. Bucket Lamp
If you’re in need of light but care more about it being cost-effective than how it looks, you’ll love this idea.
The tutorial walks you through how to use a bucket and a light bulb to create a functional light which shouldn’t cost you anything.
16. DIY Chicken Feeder
Are you raising chickens? You should appreciate this idea for a cost-effective chicken feeder. The five-gallon bucket will hold the feed.
While the container attached at the bottom will be what catches the food and is what the chickens eat from.
17. The Bucket Bookbag
We all need to carry items around with us from time to time. Instead of purchasing expensive bags, use what you have.
This idea allows you to use a five-gallon bucket and straps to have a versatile backpack ready to carry whatever you need.
18. Off-Grid Bucket Air Conditioner
When you’re off-grid having a working air conditioner is an awesome amenity. It’s even better when you can make it yourself.
This idea requires a little effort to make, but if the end result is an off-grid cheap air conditioner, it should be worth it.
19. Five-Gallon Deer Feeder
Do you draw deer to your property for hunting purposes or because you find them to be beautiful? Either way, this feeder is a great idea.
You can make it with a piece of PVC pipe and a five-gallon bucket. Fill it with deer corn, and your four-legged friends should come around frequently.
20. Emergency Water Filtration System
Purchasing an emergency water filtration system can cost you well over $200. If you’re working on a budget, this could be a problem.
However, if you follow this tutorial, you can have an emergency water filtration system for less than $50 by using a five-gallon bucket.
21. Field Sink
If you camp or do other things in an off-grid setting, you may be interested to know you can use a bucket to create a sink.
This tutorial shows you how to bring water to these types of settings with a bucket and pipes which runs off a foot pump.
22. Compost Tumbler Bucket
It’s interesting all the daily items you can compost and make work for your garden. Instead of wasting these items, learn to compost them.
But if you don’t want to invest a ton of money into a composting system, consider this bucket tumbler idea.
23. Bucket Rod Holder
When I saw this I instantly thought of my husband because he’s an avid fisherman. He also enjoys taking items he already has to make them into something functional.
If you love to fish or know someone who does, consider using a five-gallon bucket to make a handy fishing rod holder (scroll down).
24. Five-Gallon Bucket Bird Condo
Do you have lots of gorgeous birds around your property? Would you like them to live in style?
You can,
q25. No-Mess Chicken Feeder
I shared one bird feeder where it’s gravity fed and has a second pan connected to allow the chickens to eat.
This idea is a little different. You insert PVC pipe into the side of the bucket. This stops chickens in their messy tracks and helps save on the feed bill.
You now have 25 different ways to utilize the five-gallon buckets in your life. They can serve a variety of uses and also make your life easier.
Plus, you can have great off-grid amenities you may not have realized was a possibility. Utilizing items in a functional and exciting new way is a skill you’ll be glad you developed.
