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!
Coveting those expensive copper rain chains? This DIY rain chain version by ‘Reverberations of Echoes‘ has a great step by step tutorial.
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.
Version 2 with copper leaves added!
‘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!
Here is a better view of the whole chain…
‘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!
‘Dollar Store Crafts‘ made this very cool wire and stone rain chain, and they have a complete tutorial with lots of photos for you.
‘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!
Here’s an overall view of this gorgeous DIY rain chain.
Another rain chain made with repurposed funnels and measuring cups etc…
‘Mother Earth Living‘ has a similar project for a funnel DIY rain chain, with instructions!
DIY Maven at ‘Curbly‘ provided us with the how-to’s for this bucket rain chain project! She did this in under an hour!
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!
Lastly, we just HAD too include this photo from Houzz. Gorgeous!
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!
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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 :-)
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.
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.
I found the rain chain link for the cutlery was broken but here is the correct link: http://imgoingtotexas.blogspot.com/search/label/Rain%20Chain
Thx so much for updating us!
Definitely the copper one is my favourite. Close second – cutlery and third – funnels, measuring cups. Thanks for all these ideas! :)
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.
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! :)
Thank you Doorsie!
This might be good way to get water to my hydroponics project!
I love all of these.
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.
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!
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
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.
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!
Where can I find the directions for making the spoon rain chain? Love it!!
There should be a link there with the photo!
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.
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.