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Even when rain is in short supply, beautiful rain barrels are not. According to Surfrider.org, for every inch of rain your area gets and 1,000 square feet of roof, you can harvest about 0.62 gallons of rain per square foot of roof area—that’s 620 gallons of water off a 1,000-square-foot roof. If you can capture this water, it’s possible to reduce your home water use by up to 40 percent. (Be sure to clear your plans for capturing rainwater with your municipality first, however, because some areas prohibit rain water collection in times of drought.)
Once you’ve decided to give rainwater collection a go and your community green-lights your plan, the next order of business is deciding what kind of rain barrel you’ll buy to catch the rainwater. Why plant a bulky, commercial-looking cylinder on your property when you could opt for a much prettier vessel?
1. Good Ideas Impressions 50-Gallon Rain Saver
Nature-inspired without being kitschy, this Impressions rain barrel by Good Ideas is a piece of garden art in its own right. Besides its beautiful sandstone finish, this 50-gallon rain saver is resistant to puncture, impact, cracking, fading, and breakage. It is weatherproof and comes with a 1-year warranty. Our favorite features are the two brass spigots for simultaneous drainage and an internal reservoir for easy care and upkeep. Best of all? The built-in flower pot, which doubles as a lid.
Get the Good Ideas Impressions 50-Gallon Rain Saver at Target for $179.99.
2. Good Ideas 50-Gallon Planter Rain Barrel
Another Good Ideas rain barrel, this 50-gallon planter rain barrel channels the look of European cobblestone streets. If your home or patio area is faced with stone, this elegant rain harvester will blend right in. Select from three natural hues, light granite, dark granite, and sandstone. Made of durable polyethylene plastic, it is waterproof and weather-resistant. The integrated overflow channel diverts any excess water and prevents flooding. Worried about debris or insects in your water? This rain barrel also comes with a screen to filter out unwanted substances. Two brass spigots and an eye-catching flower pot lid complete the look.
Get the Good Ideas 50-Gallon Planter Rain Barrel at Wayfair for $195.33.
3. Mayne Madison Rain Catcher
The Mayne Madison rain catcher will seamlessly blend into your home’s architecture as it works to help you conserve water. While the design mimics the look of concrete columns, the planter is actually constructed from lightweight and durable polyethylene resin. It has a 40-gallon capacity and offers an upper planter to help you add more aesthetic appeal to your space.
Get the Mayne Madison Rain Catcher at Amazon for $199.98.
4. FCMP Outdoor 50-Gallon Rain Catcher
Check out this FCMB Outdoor 50-gallon rain catcher for a more classic (and literal) rain-barrel look. Although the “bands” (or staves) of the rain barrel match the rest of its brown polyethylene finish, thoughtful placement against a wall should allow it to blend in with similar farmhouse-style surroundings. That’s made even easier by its unique flat-back design, which also saves space. The back of the barrel features an overflow connection, while the bottom is grooved to allow a connected hose to direct water away from a building’s foundation.
Get the FCMP Outdoor Rain Catcher at The Home Depot for $127.27.
5. Good Ideas 45-Gallon Dual Overflow Planter Rain Barrel
For folks living in areas that get a lot of rain, why not invest in a 45-gallon rainsaver? The extra 5 gallons will shrink your water bill, and with this subtle column design, you won’t have to sacrifice home aesthetics. This Good Ideas rain barrel is made of polyethylene resin and is available in black, light granite, dark granite, and sandstone. These colors won’t fade from weather exposure, and the sophisticated design won’t dominate your garden. With a forward-flowing diversion channel and a brass spigot, this column-style “rain barrel” comes with a debris screen to keep unwanted floaters out of your water. Position it close to your home, under your eaves, and plant some bright, water-loving plants in its lid.
Get the Good Ideas 45-Gallon Dual Overflow Planter Rain Barrel at Wayfair for $209.
6. EarthMinded 45-Gallon RainStation with Diverter
Claiming to have the “easiest diverter installation in the industry,” EarthMinded’s RainStation is sleek, efficient, and stress-free. Just situate this rain barrel near any downspout around your home, garage, or outbuilding, and the patented diverter promises to simplify installation and usage. The RainStation is available in terra-cotta and black, with the latter resin being made from 85 percent recycled plastic. With a 45-gallon capacity and a snap-on lid that doubles as a planter, it’s a convenient size for balconies, decks, and patios.
Get the EarthMinded 45-Gallon RainStation at The Home Depot for $124.19.
7. Gardener’s Supply Company 50-Gallon Rainwater Urn
Despite its clay-colored matte finish, this pottery-shaped urn is made of high-quality, UV-stabilized polyethylene. It has a 50-gallon capacity, a single brass spigot, and a mesh screen guard for purity. In its functional yet decorative lid, you can display a potted plant or store garden tools, making its planter design as functional as it is attractive. While the collected rainwater should not be used for drinking, it can serve a host of other functions, from gardening to cleaning. Choose from two earth-tone hues: terra-cotta and brown.
Get the 50-Gallon Rainwater Urn at Gardener’s Supply Company for $199.99.
8. Algreen Barcelona 100-Gallon Rain Barrel
This 100-gallon rain barrel from Algreen can collect a much higher volume of rainwater than the other options shown here. That’s reflected in the barrel’s higher cost, but the ability to store more water coupled with a dual overflow design (one brass spigot and one standard hose connection), corrosion-proof screen, and realistic matte texture make the price tag easier to swallow. It comes in an attractive brownstone finish, measures 3 feet tall and wide, and blends right in with any outdoor container garden.
Get the Algreen Barcelona 100-Gallon Rain Barrel at The Home Depot for $324.56.
9. Koolatron 75-Gallon Stone-Look Rain Barrel
The Koolatron 75-gallon rain barrel is built for extremes. With an extra-large capacity, it can also handle hot and cold temps, thanks to its “rotational-molded plastic construction.” This process avoids defects in the form and strengthens the material. A built-in threaded fitting allows you to easily connect a soaker or garden hose, and it also sports a brass spigot. With its evenly balanced base and secure grid, Koolatron’s barrel is childproof and designed for stability. It may be plastic, but passersby will think it’s stone.
Get the Koolatron 75-Gallon Stone-Look Rain Barrel at The Home Depot for $219.
10. FCMP Outdoor Catalina 45-Gallon Rain Water Barrel
With its contemporary profile and affordable price, the FCMP Outdoor Catalina Rain Water Barrel stores up to 45 gallons of rainwater. Its curved silhouette saves space, and the barrel is crafted from recycled UV-resistant, BPA-free plastic. It comes with a garden hose and a debris screen that is perfect for placement under a downspout.
Get the FCMP Outdoor Catalina 45-Gallon Rain Barrel at Amazon for $120.03.
11. Good Ideas Savannah Colonial-Style 42-Gallon Rain Saver Barrel
Is this a rain barrel, a raised garden bed, or an architectural feature? A great choice for brick, colonial, and other traditional American home styles, Good Ideas’ Savannah rain saver disguises a 42-gallon barrel as a fully functional raised planter. Built out of heavy-duty polyethylene resin, the strong, clean lines look like painted wood, but this rain saver is far more weather-resistant and crackproof. With a flat-back design to save you space, this white barrel is outfitted with two brass spigots and an overflow channel to prevent water from trickling against your home’s foundation. Topped with a deep trough for planting flowers, this pretty rain saver will save money, boost your green cred, and enhance your curb appeal all at once.
Get the Good Ideas Savannah Colonial Style 42-Gallon Rain Saver Barrel at Target for $175.50.
12. Good Ideas 42-Gallon Rain Barrel
Providing camouflage and a 42-gallon rain-gathering capacity, a Good Ideas rain barrel can be a great landscaping addition to your garden. This looks like a big boulder but is actually made of durable plastic. The downspout diverter keeps your rain barrel full and prevents it from overflowing. With its natural appearance, this discreet rain barrel is great for maintaining a rock garden look in your landscape while providing the natural benefits of water conservation.
Get the Good Ideas 42-Gallon Rain Barrel at Wayfair for $170.25.
13. EMSCO Group Rain Barrel
Add some style and visual appeal to your yard with this whiskey barrel rain collector from EMSCO Group. It is available in four different finishes and provides an option to choose matching or contrasting hoops. The material is designed to mimic the look of real wood, but the barrel is constructed from plastic that is resistant to weather, warping, mold, staining, insects, and sunlight. The barrel also features a flat back, allowing you to push it right up against the house or shed. It has a 50-gallon capacity and comes with a diverter kit.
Get the EMSCO Group Rain Barrel at Wayfair starting at $173.19.
14. Loon Peak 65-Gallon Rain Barrel
The wavy, textured design of this rain barrel from Loon Peak will help it become more of a focal point in your yard instead of merely a device to hold water. The barrel offers a generous 65-gallon capacity and is crafted from durable, fade-resistant, water-resistant, and UV-resistant plastic. It has two spigots, making it possible to connect two different hoses or access water for separate needs. The rain barrel comes in six different finishes, including dark granite, terra- cotta, sandstone, and black. You can further enhance the beauty of your space by adding some colorful flowers to the top planter.
Get the Loon Peak 65-Gallon Rain Barrel at Wayfair for $196.99.
15. RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Flat Back Rain Barrel
If you want to save yourself—and your back—the hassle of bending down to hook up a hose or open the spigot, then you might appreciate the RTS Home Accents Rain Barrel. It comes with a raised stand that elevates the spigot, while still ensuring the flat-back barrel can sit flush with the side of your home. Some of the design elements that help make this an appealing choice include the aluminum screen to stop debris from entering the tank, the durable brass spigot with hose hookup, and the durable and UV-resistant construction.
Get the RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Barrel on Amazon for $197.70.
16. Good Ideas Rain Wizard 50-Gallon Rain Barrel Urn
Plant a few colorful flowers on the top of this urn-shaped rain barrel from Good Ideas, and it will look like a purposeful addition to your home’s landscaping. Between the attractive urn shape and the raised embellishments around the planter and spigot, this rain barrel is a glamorous pick. It’s also available in several color choices, including terra-cotta, sandstone, light granite, and dark granite. The rain barrel has a 50-gallon capacity and uses a mesh screen to keep debris out of the collected water. It also features a self-draining planter.
Get the Good Ideas Rain Wizard 50-Gallon Rain Barrel Urn at Amazon starting at $151.97.
17. FCMP Outdoor Wood Grain 45-Gallon Rain Barrel
If you want the appearance of wood without decay and durability concerns, the FCMP Outdoor rectangular wood-grain barrel is a great choice. It is made from recycled polyurethane plastic that is BPA-free and UV-inhibited. The barrel’s rectangular design makes it easy to position against a structure or in a corner. Available with a brown or gray finish, this model has a 45-gallon capacity and comes with a debris screen, garden hose, and other accessories to help you collect and use rainwater.
Get the FCMP Wood Grain 45-Gallon Rain Barrel at Amazon starting at $111.38.
