DIY Rustic Wheelbarrow
Hey there and happy Monday! Recently I told you all about The Home Depot DIH Workshop virtual party that I’m a part of and today I’m so excited to share my project with you, a DIY rustic wheelbarrow that I decorated for my cozy fall front porch.
So, how this all went down was The Home Depot gave a group of bloggers a challenge to build the same rustic wheelbarrow and to customize it in our own unique style. This project is all about their DIH Workshops and the cute wheelbarrow is the project that you can learn to build at their next Workshop.
You’ve heard of The Home Depot Workshops before, right? They offer Do-It-Yourself (DIY), Do-It Herself (DIH) and kids workshops at all of their locations for do-it-yourselfers of all ages and experience levels. You can learn how to build decor projects, how to make easy home repairs and how to operate tools through demonstrations and step-by-step instructions.
Now that you know about the Workshops, let’s get to how I built and decorated my rustic wheelbarrow (and yes…I did it all myself).
I am a huge geek when it comes to building something fun like this and I couldn’t get in the car fast enough to get to THD to get my materials. This was all I needed for my project.
DIY Rustic Wheelbarrow
Materials
- 1 – Crates and Pallet 18″ x 12 1/ 2″ x 9 1/2″ Large Wood Crate
- 1 – 2″ x 8″ x 8′ Prime Kiln Dried Board
- 3 – Pressure-Treated 36″ x 2″ x 2″ Wood Square End Baluster
- 1/2″ x 48″ Wood Round Dowel
- 1 – Box #8 x 2 1/2″ Phillips Square Drive Flat-Head Full Thread Zinc Coated Multi-Material Screw
- 1 – Pack #8 x 1″ Flat-Head Phillips Wood Screws
- paint or stain to finish it the way you like (don’t forget to use polyurethane if you’re displaying your rustic wheelbarrow outside).
Tools
- circular saw
- jig saw
- drill
- 1/2″ drill bit
- string or compass
- measuring tape or carpenter’s square
- pencil
- safety goggles
- sanding block
Instructions
Once I had all of my supplies and pulled out all of our toys tools, I was ready to start building.
First I measured and marked 2, 8″ segments from one of the wood square end baluster and 1, 3 3/4″ segment from the wood dowel for the wheel axel.
Then I used my compass to draw a 7″ circle on the kiln dried board (you could also use a nail, string and pencil to make a circle).
Once all of my measurements and marks were made, I used my circular saw to cut the 2 segments from the baluster and 1 segment from the dowel. Remember…safety first. Make sure you wear your safety goggles.
Then I used my drill, with a 1/2″ drill bit, to drill a hole in the center of the 7″ circle on kiln dried board. After the center hole was drilled, I used my jigsaw to cut the circle out, which will be your wheel.
Next, I measured and marked the 2 remaining balusters 1 1/4″ from one end and in the center, this will be your wheel axle. Using the 1/2″ drill bit, drill a 1/2″ hole halfway through the baluster at the mark you made on each baluster using a slight 5° angle and the drill bit pointing away from the short end of the baluster. It sounds complicated but it’s really not.
Assembly
With all of our cuts made and holes drilled, it’s time to assemble our rustic wheelbarrow.
Turn your crate upside down and align one of the balusters over the bottom of the crate. Make sure the hole that you just drilled for the wheel axel overhangs the end of the crate by 6 inches and is centered over the second slat on that side. The other end of the baluster should be angled to hit in between the two outermost slats on the other end of the crate, allowing a 12 ̋ overhang to act as a handle. Secure the baluster to the bottom of the crate using a 2 1/2″ screw on each end. I made sure to screw through the baluster and into the middle of the side of crate so that the screw had something to grip.
Who said you can’t have pink fingernails and use power tools? 😉
After the first handle is securely attached, insert the 3 3⁄4″ wheel axle into the drilled hole on the secured baluster. Slide the 7″ wheel onto the wheel axle, and insert the wheel axel into the remaining baluster. With the wheel sandwiched securely between the two balusters, secure the remaining baluster to the bottom of the crate the same way you secured the first baluster, centered over the second slat at the wheel end and between the two outermost slats at the handle end using 2 1⁄2″ screws at each end.
We’re almost done with the assembly but this little baby needs some legs to stand on. Place the two 8″ legs vertically 3⁄4″ in from the end of the crate on the outside of the balusters. Secure with one 2 1⁄2″ screw through the balusters.
Turn your wheelbarrow over and secure the legs through the slat on the inside bottom of the crate using one 1″ screw into each leg.
We’re done building. It turned out to be the cutest rustic wheelbarrow ever. Building it was a blast but we’re not quite done because it needs to get dressed up for fall.
I wanted to stick with the rustic theme so, instead of using paint, I chose to use gray stain.
A little bit of sanding and stain and I was ready for the next step.
Since we’re going rustic, I decided to add an “old” sign to the side of my wheelbarrow, kind of like the carts you see at a farmer’s market. I just used a piece of a leftover wood and, after dry brushing some white paint and hand lettering it (you know, to keep it rustic), it was ready to hang.
I was happy with my wheelbarrow but felt like it was missing a little something, so I went back to Home Depot to look for the perfect addition. A small sheet of diamond plate aluminum was exactly what it needed. A little snip, snip, a bit of sanding and and some paint to make it look weathered. Once it was dry, it was ready to be attached to each end of the wheelbarrow. Like my “Harvest” sign, the aluminum is meant to be temporary, in case I want to use it during another season, so I used a couple of velcro strips for easy removal.
This is the first time that I’m getting to decorate my new front porch. I love my wheelbarrow and think it adds the perfect touch.
A couple of lanterns and a few “live” additions, all from The Home Depot of course, and I had the perfect fall display. Easy!
My photography assistant…taking a much needed break.
I had so much fun building this and adding all of the fall touches. It really is an easy project that you can do and decorate any way you want for any season, not just for fall.
You can learn how to make your own rustic wheelbarrow by taking part in one of The Home Depot’s Workshops. To get more info or to register, click here or click on the big button. #DIHWorkshop
Happy Fall!!
Definitely love the diamond plate metal addition! Super cute wheelbarrow.
Thanks Brittany, I appreciate you stopping in! The diamond plate was a last minute addition but it’s my favorite touch.
I love it Kristi! What a perfect project (I love anything that involves a few tools!) and you could really use it all year round. So cute! Thanks so much for linking it to our Inspiration Galore Project Party. Pinned and share.
Thanks so much, Lisa. I loved pulling my tools out for this one and it was so fun to make. 🙂
Adorable! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Thanks so much! 🙂
How perfect, Kristi. I loove fall decor because it gives us license to be a little bit rustic and this is the perfect example of that. Loving the fact that you built this wheelbarrow from scratch, what a great use of your resources 🙂 Thanks for sharing such a clever idea with us on #shinebloghop this week 🙂
Thanks so much, Marie. I agree with you. If you love rustic, fall is the perfect season to use it. Hope you have a great weekend!
I love this whole display Kristi! It is perfect for fall and that little sign on the wheelbarrow is too cute!
Thanks Alysha, I appreciate it!!! 🙂
Love this idea for fall porch decor. Thanks for sharing with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up! Have a great week!
Thanks so much, Charlene! Hope you have a great week!
Love your version Kristi!
Thanks so much, Pamela, I appreciate it!!!
Love your design of the wheel barrow. It would make a great display for Christmas. I have read a few blogs in the list. None showed how they made their wheelbarrows. That is why I like your blog, you do not just show pretty pictures, you give details and your thought process. The sign and metal plate were great additions that made yours unique. Wish I had your design eye. Your assistant is a cutie. Have a great week.
Awww, thanks so much for your sweet comment, Debbie. I feel like I have the best readers around. You are always so kind and supportive of me every time I post. That’s one of the reasons I love doing this so much. The interaction with all of you.
Anyway, I think that the cart would make a great display for Christmas. I’ll have to work on a modification for that. 😉 Thanks again and I hope you have a great week.
Kristi, this is just beautiful…and you make the build look so easy!! I love how you customized it for fall, but that it can be easily changed up for any season. Brilliant idea! 🙂
Thanks Kim, I appreciate it. It really was easy to do and I had a blast building it. I’m just glad that I have some decor on my front porch now. 😉
Super, super cute, Kristi and your tutorial is great! Love how you staged it too. I’ll be pinning and sharing on my FB page.
Thanks so much Suzy, I appreciate the share and pin! It was a long post to get through with the tutorial, so I thank you for sticking through it. 😉
kristi your wheel barrel is perfect on your fall porch. I love that added touch of the aluminum. Happy Fall! Enjoy your new porch.
Thanks so much, Laura. It’s my first time decorating my front porch for the fall season and I’m happy with the way it turned out. Happy Fall!
The wheelbarrow is sooooo cute! Looks just great all decorated. Nice job. The only “tools” I have are the drill and the pencil and string, so I will have to sit this one out. I will check on other HD projects as I live 3 miles from a HD store, and a Hobby Lobby too.
Brenda, Florida
Thanks so much, Brenda. You could take the class at your local Home Depot and use their tools to make one of your own. It was a really easy project to do and it was fun decorating it for the new house. I appreciate you stopping in to check mine out. It was a long post to get through. 😉
Love the grey stain – and the metal end caps are such a fun and unexpected addition! Great work!
Thanks so much, Megan. I’m really thrilled with the way it turned out. 🙂
I’m having a blast looking at all the variations done to the same project. I love the aluminum pieces you added to yours, it gives it a rustic industrial look! Cute assistant. 🙂
Thanks Cristina! So many awesome wheelbarrows that were made, right? It was fun checking out everyone’s different take on the same basic idea.
It looks very cute at your new home!
Brenda
Thanks so much, Brenda. It’s nice to finally have some decor on our front porch.
Looks like you did one heck of a job making your wheelbarrow. I checked with Grand Junction’s HD and they are making wheelbarrow this Thursday night so looks like will be able to make my own. Love idea of being able to make one of my own, can hardly wait to put it on our front porch. Usually have to convince hubs to make things for me.
Hope mine turns out half as cute and well made as yours. Love gray stain you used, think even more than if you had painted it. Stain gives it more realistic rustic look.
Have wonderful happy week
Thanks so much for your sweet comment, JaneEllen. I’m so glad that you will be able to take the class and make your own. I’m sure you’ll have a blast building and fixing it up. I’d love to hear about your experience after your class. Have fun and thanks for stopping in and checking out my project. I know it was a really long post to get through. 🙂
Super cute!
Thanks Susan, I appreciate it!
I totally love that metal piece on the end – what a great addition. Makes it very unique.
Thanks so much Kim! 🙂