Rain chains are perfect instruments for harnessing the elements of nature in the garden, so that they can be appreciated. Using DIY rain chains anywhere in the garden adds a decorative element, and who doesn’t love the sight and sound of water in the garden? However, they can be expensive and hard to find. We decided to go out and find some DIY rain chain ideas and tutorials for you just in time for spring rains! (Better than snow, right East Coast?) So let’s get to garden crafting!

 

 

Creative DIY Rain Chains

 

Coveting those expensive copper rain chains? This DIY rain chain version by ‘Reverberations of Echoes‘ has a great step by step tutorial.

Copper rain chain

 

Here are two more DIY rain chains using copper tubing from ‘From House To Home‘. Wanda has a great tutorial with 2 versions of this rain chain project.

DIY Rain Chains

 

Version 2 with copper leaves added!

DIY Rain Chains

 

Birds and Blooms‘ has this DIY rain chain from spoons project, complete with instructions. I love the look of this, and using old flatware just makes it more interesting!

DIY rain chain

 

Here is a better view of the whole chain…

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‘Burbs and the Bees’ made this cute pine cone DIY rain chain. Unfortunately it looks like that blog no longer exists, one of the suggestions there was to smear on peanut butter and use as a bird feeder!

Pine cone rain chain

 

Dollar Store Crafts‘ made this very cool wire and stone rain chain, and they have a complete tutorial with lots of photos for you.

DIY Rain chain

 

I’m Going to Texas‘ made this fork and spoon rain chain idea… just by bending the fork tines and the spoon handles. Love this!

DIY Rain Chains

 

Here’s an overall view of this gorgeous DIY rain chain.

DIY Rain Chains

 

Another rain chain made with repurposed funnels and measuring cups etc…

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Mother Earth Living‘ has a similar project for a funnel DIY rain chain, with instructions!

Funnel rain chain

 

DIY Maven at ‘Curbly‘ provided us with the how-to’s for this bucket rain chain project! She did this in under an hour!

Bucket rain chain

 

From ‘Design Sponge‘, this ombre DIY rain chain made from small pots is such a great and budget friendly project. Check out the instructions and have a go at it!

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Lastly, we just HAD too include this photo from Houzz. Gorgeous!

DIY Rain Chains

Which one of these DIY Rain Chains would you love in your garden? Share your thoughts in our comments section!

If you liked this post, you might be interested in our post on DIY garden projects with rocks!

[image-credits]

 


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20 Comments

  1. Dawsie Angela Herremans January 13, 2018 at 5:12 am

    The first time I came across rain chains it was as small bells on a chain featured in a Japanese garden rather than use down pipes they used chains with bells on. This is going back 30 years now it was featured in a TV programme on Japanese gardens and come to think of it you don’t see many down pipes on the old buildings but rather a chain of some sort :-)

    It does not have to be copper which is so expensive really but a galvanised heavy duty chain would work just as well and would not cost as much but you could add some copper leaves to it to add some interest. And would keep the costs down :-)

    Reply
  2. Paaky 1 May 16, 2017 at 2:07 pm

    Wanted to find instructions for pine cone rain chain, but didn’t find one. I thought it would be helpful to coat with a special coating (copper colored?) for some pizzazz.

    Reply
  3. Paula June 19, 2016 at 7:09 am

    I once saw a photo of something like these .This one was made of what looked like elephant bells ? They were graduating in size ,each one smaller than the one before it. I have been looking for one ever sence with no luck at all. If memory serves me right, I think they were called Rain Bells ? Its been years now sence I saw that photo, and I just cant get them out of my mind. I want to hear the rain ring my own bells before I die . I was In my 20’s then , now looking at my 60’s in about 4 years. Please can anyone help? I just have to hear these bells ring . Thank you for your time.

    Reply
    1. Kathy Woodard April 11, 2016 at 1:40 pm

      Thx so much for updating us!

      Reply
  4. Mona March 14, 2016 at 11:20 am

    Definitely the copper one is my favourite. Close second – cutlery and third – funnels, measuring cups. Thanks for all these ideas! :)

    Reply
  5. Ginger September 24, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    I have a beautiful river view from my kitchen window, but a white metal downspout was right there at the side of the view. I replaced it with a nice copper rain chain and now have something attractive instead of an eyesore. I love watching the rain come down it during “bad” weather. The only problem I’ve had was an accumulation of ice on the chain during last winter’s ice storm. I ended up detaching it from the gutter (easily done) so the added weight wouldn’t pull the gutter down.

    Reply
  6. Doorsie Morrison August 31, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    A year & a half later and your article is still being enjoyed! And is an inspiration.. I am going to go gather up lil trinkets to make one! Thank you for posting this! :)

    Reply
    1. Kathy Woodard September 17, 2015 at 8:50 am

      Thank you Doorsie!

      Reply
  7. LINDA BUKER January 7, 2015 at 1:26 am

    This might be good way to get water to my hydroponics project!

    Reply
  8. PattieJune November 4, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    I love all of these.

    Reply
  9. Liz Ackert March 16, 2014 at 8:30 am

    I was caught by surprise when I returned to my long-neglected blog and found multiple views of my silverware rain chain post referred by your blog. I’ve since added an addendum to the original post with how the rain chain was made.

    You have also inspired me to resume blogging, for which I am most grateful.

    Reply
    1. Kathy Woodard March 21, 2014 at 10:46 am

      I’m glad you are getting a response from our featuring your rain chain, its a great project! And we look forward to seeing more from your blog!

      Reply
  10. B Elam March 11, 2014 at 9:39 am

    They replace an awkward ugly downspout from the gutter to the ground and direct water (usually into a rainbarrel) either into a collection barrel or to a garden area..there are some relaly cute DIY rainbarrel ideas as well..(a large round trash can with a simple through-wall spout/connection and simple hose overflow painted/decorated is awesome! http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-create-a-rain-barrel/index.html

    Reply
  11. Adrian February 23, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    I had to click over here to see exactly what a rain chain is and I’m still not quite clear. I’ve never seen one before. Is the purpose of it kind of like a wind chime, to make a pretty sound? Or is it intended to act like a drain spout to direct the rain in a particular place, or is it just decorative? I’m just wondering how they would do in a big snow storm or when covered in ice? I think it looks like an intriguing idea and I like the bucket style design. That might even solve our problem of ice building up on the edge of our porch, but I’m just not sure.

    Reply
    1. Kathy Woodard February 24, 2014 at 8:56 pm

      They are indeed more of a ‘drain” if you will… its a great way to get the water from the gutter or roof to the ground, while eliminating that annoying dripping sound that downspouts can make… Rain chains are pretty too!

      Reply
      1. jackie January 23, 2015 at 9:16 am

        Where can I find the directions for making the spoon rain chain? Love it!!

        Reply
        1. Kathy Woodard March 12, 2015 at 12:35 pm

          There should be a link there with the photo!

          Reply
      2. W. L. Sakowski December 22, 2016 at 10:35 am

        They also help to prevent rain from making a hole where the rain pounds onto the ground from your roof. Most of the time they are used by those areas that don’t have guttering and the rain simply runs down in streams on those rainy days. They do often make a nice sound to those of us who are particularly fond of them.

        Reply
    2. Tammy February 1, 2015 at 1:44 am

      When I get mine set up my plans are for them to go into a rain barrel. It adds design to the home instead of those ugly spots.

      Reply

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