Need to have your downspout replaced? Instead of buying boring pipes, why not make rain chains using recycled materials?
Rain chains are a type of decorative downspout that capture and redirect rainwater from a roof. They are actually nothing new at all. The ancient Japanese and Chinese used them centuries ago.
The rain chains of the past were made from metal, stone, and glass. Today, you can get them in copper, aluminium, zinc, and brass. Rain chains come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs.
There are several materials for you to choose from — new or recycled which can help reduce waste.
Take a look at our examples below and see what will suit your home the most!
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Check out these Rain Chain Ideas
DIY Ombre Chains
Rainbow Rain Chains (aka DIY Ombre Chains) is a decorative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to keep your garden green and pretty in a water-wise way. Use mini terra cotta pots and colour them with your excess paint for a more good-looking chain.
While they are normally used to funnel water from a rain barrel or roof gutter to the ground around a tree, they can also be used to catch rainwater from a downspout.
Copper
These copper rings came from a roll of copper refrigeration tubing. You can be more creative and make your own link patterns! Copper ring chains are a beautiful and unique way to add a real sense of beauty and elegance to your front yard.
These rings are made up of various-sized copper rings that are connected together. The rings may vary in size, colour, and shape. These rings are placed on a long string and are hung on trees, or put onto a gutter to prevent leaves and other debris from clogging up the gutter.
Stones
Do you know where you could get some beautiful stones in your area? Simply tie them with wires and you’ll have this beach-themed rain chain!
Buckets
Here’s a rustic rain chain idea. Now that’s one way to collect more water for household use.
Silverware
Spoons and other silverware also make good rain chains. Just imagine how water will look flowing through the spoons!
Wine Bottles
Now, who doesn’t have empty wine bottles stored in their houses? Simply cut your glass bottles in half and use the top part for making your rain chain. You can stack the top of the wine bottles by colour or in alternate colours, whichever you like more.
The other half can be used as a planter which you can put right beside your wine bottle rain chain.
Metal /Brass
Do you have any metal /brass items which you think can be a wonderful rain chain? You can get some form of an old chandelier, for example.
Tart Tin
You can also make a rain chain using tart tins if you have a baker in the family. A tart tin is a metal tin that is used to house small pastries, such as tartlets. They can also be used to store baked goods.
Do you know someone who will love this idea?
These are just some of the beautiful ideas for making a rain chain for your house. Which of these ideas did you like the most? If you have more creative ideas to add to the list, you can share them with us in the comments section below. 🙂
If you liked these ideas, you might also like these other recycled, upcycled, and repurposed ideas…
