10 Ways Buckets and Tubs Can Help Around the Home
These hard-working home essentials will add character galore and keep clutter at bay in the most stylish of ways
Buckets and tubs are super-versatile storage options that suit almost any style of home. From vintage zinc buckets to huge plastic tubs in zingy colours, this humble home helper is perfect for a multitude of uses. So it’s time to shine the spotlight on buckets and tubs, revealing all the brilliant ways they can improve our homes.
Top up with toys
Providing flexible storage in a family room, these tubs made from recycled plastic slot smartly into this bespoke unit. Tubs are great for encouraging kids to tidy up: all they have to do is throw in the toys, with no need for neat stacking or finding the right space on a shelf.
Providing flexible storage in a family room, these tubs made from recycled plastic slot smartly into this bespoke unit. Tubs are great for encouraging kids to tidy up: all they have to do is throw in the toys, with no need for neat stacking or finding the right space on a shelf.
Exploit for log storage
Wicker baskets are the traditional option for log storage, but a vintage bucket will do just as nicely. Avoid any with rust damage, as they may not be strong enough to hold heavy logs, and check the handle is still firmly attached to the sides if you plan to lug the bucket around when full.
Wicker baskets are the traditional option for log storage, but a vintage bucket will do just as nicely. Avoid any with rust damage, as they may not be strong enough to hold heavy logs, and check the handle is still firmly attached to the sides if you plan to lug the bucket around when full.
Plant it out
Old zinc buckets and pails make for great pot plants. Hammer a few holes in the base for drainage, then simply fill with compost and pop in your favourite plants.
If you’re using it inside, place a tray beneath the bucket to catch any water. Alternatively, you can skip creating the drainage holes and put a layer of small stones in the bottom instead, but you’ll have to keep a closer eye on how much you water the plants to avoid them becoming waterlogged.
More: 8 Ways House Plants Can Improve Your Health
Old zinc buckets and pails make for great pot plants. Hammer a few holes in the base for drainage, then simply fill with compost and pop in your favourite plants.
If you’re using it inside, place a tray beneath the bucket to catch any water. Alternatively, you can skip creating the drainage holes and put a layer of small stones in the bottom instead, but you’ll have to keep a closer eye on how much you water the plants to avoid them becoming waterlogged.
More: 8 Ways House Plants Can Improve Your Health
Store stationery
Small metal buckets are a natural home for all the fiddly bits of stationery we accumulate in a home office, from pens to paperclips, and staples to sticky notes. Line them up in a row within easy reach of your desk, or hang them from hooks using their handles.
Small metal buckets are a natural home for all the fiddly bits of stationery we accumulate in a home office, from pens to paperclips, and staples to sticky notes. Line them up in a row within easy reach of your desk, or hang them from hooks using their handles.
Take a vintage twist
Old fire buckets that would once have contained sand make a striking table decoration in this beach house. They are light years away from the vases and candlesticks we typically decorate a table with and, grouped as a trio, look bold and original. They would look great filled with flowers or decorative branches, too.
Old fire buckets that would once have contained sand make a striking table decoration in this beach house. They are light years away from the vases and candlesticks we typically decorate a table with and, grouped as a trio, look bold and original. They would look great filled with flowers or decorative branches, too.
Go modern
Bring the humble bucket into the 21st century with a contemporary take on this trusty piece. Source an equivalent in an up-to-date material, such as this sleek white acrylic, and use it to provide stylish storage in a pared-down space.
Bring the humble bucket into the 21st century with a contemporary take on this trusty piece. Source an equivalent in an up-to-date material, such as this sleek white acrylic, and use it to provide stylish storage in a pared-down space.
Winch one up
Here’s a tried-and-true idea for transporting supplies into a treehouse. Use a bucket on a rope with a pulley, so kids can haul up goodies without coming down from their children-only treetop sanctuary.
Here’s a tried-and-true idea for transporting supplies into a treehouse. Use a bucket on a rope with a pulley, so kids can haul up goodies without coming down from their children-only treetop sanctuary.
Pile with paintbrushes
Paintbrushes are best stored upright, so the bristles aren’t pushed out of shape and they have a chance to dry. A simple galvanised tub will do the trick. This one is in an artist’s studio, but the idea would transfer beautifully to a child’s room or playspace, too.
TELL US
Do you have buckets and tubs working hard in your home? Tell us more about them in the Comments.
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Paintbrushes are best stored upright, so the bristles aren’t pushed out of shape and they have a chance to dry. A simple galvanised tub will do the trick. This one is in an artist’s studio, but the idea would transfer beautifully to a child’s room or playspace, too.
TELL US
Do you have buckets and tubs working hard in your home? Tell us more about them in the Comments.
MORE
10 Organisation Habits to Establish This Year
The Move to a Well-Stocked Clutter-Free Home
10 Ideas for Keeping Your Tech Organised
For a fantastically vintage-style cloakroom, swerve the bathroom showrooms and source an old bucket from a vintage store or reclamation yard instead. When plumbed in, it becomes a quirky and fully functional alternative to traditional white ceramic.
More: Brilliant Bathroom Basins … With a Difference