For some of you a bottle (or even 2-3) of wine is just not enough. Maybe you need a whole crate, a barrel, or, heck, even a vineyard – I’m not judging. In fact, this post is for you, below are some ideas for how to repurpose and recycle those pesky barrels you’ve got lying around. And some grand examples of how designers have repurposed wine or whisky barrels and crates into fabulous home design pieces.
Let’s start with the expected. Barrel Designs is a company which creates lovely wood pieces from salvaged wine barrels. My favorites were this gathering table and stool, both really capture the old world feel of the wine barrel.
Gathering Table, via Barrel Designs
Stool, Barrel Designs
Another application of barrel slats is to create a lovely garden bench.
Garden Seat, Wine Wood Creations
Taking it one step further, here are a few modern interpretations using wood salvaged from wine barrels.
Folding Wine Barrel Chair, Whit McLeod
Bilge Lounge, Uhuru Design
And for a totally, out of this world approach, artist Tracey Johnson creates a stunning set of light boxes made from wine crates.
Light Boxes, Tracey Johnson
Maybe you’d like a quick and easy solution for repurposing your old wine barrels, like splitting a barrel in half to make a planter, or just using a ring of the barrel to create a wine rack:
Split Barrel Planter, Master Garden Products
Wine Barrel Hanging Glass Rack, Wine Rack Superstore
Actually, the hanging wine glass rack reminds of this chandelier, I’m certain you could use a couple rings of the wine barrel to create a similar lighting fixture.
Chandelier, Form Reform
Or use whole barrels for a wine bar, like the one here from Wine Wood Creations.
Custom Bar made of wine barrels, Wine Wood Creations
While visiting my family over the holidays, I noticed my Uncle Jack had put his old whiskey barrels to work as a storage option.
Repurposed Whiskey Barrel
Like the look, but low on barrels? Never fear, pick up full or pre-cut barrels at Used Wine Barrels. Just look at the wine barrel head that they have for sale. What a great, flat surface to create on! What do you think: wall clock, table top, add handles to make a tray… any more ideas?
Barrel Head, Used Wine Barrels
Hmmm, I know of one place I could score an extra barrel…
Additional Barrels, Found in Uncle Jack's garage
