You know that rusty old contraption in the back of the shed? It’s time to dig it out to give it a new—and dare we say more practical—use. With these fun and inspiring DIY projects, your wheelbarrow will be used for far more than just hauling firewood and topsoil.
7 cool ways to repurpose your rusty old wheelbarrow
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This is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to bring a firepit down to the lake, onto the patio, or into the garden. In fact, you can take this mobile pit just about anywhere you spend your time outdoors. Lucky for you, it doesn’t require much maintenance and there’s no need to dig a hole in the ground.

This is a great way to repurpose a wheelbarrow and ensure you have a rustic coffee table no one else has. All you have to do is add a little wood to the top. For added charm, fill it with polished stones and top it with a jar of wildflowers.

This project is as easy as it is charming. Add a little paint, drill a few drain holes, and then add your soil and flowers. This would also be a great way to grow herbs or small vegetables. And, if you’re unhappy with where you planted it, just wheel it someplace else!

This is likely the easiest way to repurpose your wheelbarrow, and it’s the perfect accessory for long days on the dock, a garden party, or an evening around the campfire. Feel free to spray on a little paint for added style, then just fill it up with ice and your favourite drinks, and you’ve got a DIY cooler.

This idea will work best with a plastic wheelbarrow, but if you’re handy (or know somebody who is), you could even fix up an old rusty one and then throw on some fluffy pillows for added comfort. Disassemble your original wheelbarrow, add some legs and you’re ready to sit back and enjoy the view. Collect a few used wheelbarrows from friends and neighbours, repeat the process and you’ll have an entire set. If installing legs sounds like too much work, here’s an idea for an even easier wheelbarrow chair: Best Plants

This is a great way to keep the kids busy and the mess (somewhat) contained. Add some dirt and water to keep the mud-pies flowing, or a few scoops of sand for something a little easier to clean up. Then all you need are some beach toys or old plastic kitchenware.

If you have two old wheelbarrows lying around, this is a creative way to make use of both of them. Attach them at two different levels before hooking up a tap or hose so the water flows from the top down. Grow some ivy, incorporate some hanging plants, add some water lilies, and suddenly your rustic fountain is a garden paradise. This project would also work well as a coy pond or birdbath.