There is something truly appealing about the aged, rustic beauty of wood. Throughout the years, wooden casks have played a key part in aging some of the world’s finest spirits, absorbing their distinct colors and aromas. By the time their time is up for commercial use in the maturation process, they still have plenty of life left in them, but instead of letting them end up as waste or debris, owners are coming up with incredibly creative ways to repurpose them.
By using top-quality used bourbon whiskey barrels, you can give your home interior or landscape some beautiful accents with a deep, historical background.
Enhancing the Outdoor Experience
Because white oak is naturally resistant and sturdy, it has made its way into outdoor settings due to its strength and durability. As the wood has been originally constructed to hold a liquid, it can stand up to the weather really well with minimal care.
Constructing Garden Planters and Water Fountains
There has been a surge in popularity in using casks in the form of planter pots. Simply cut a barrel in half to turn it into a planter that is strong enough to support heavy soil and tall enough to give roots space to spread out for small trees, colorful flowers, or herb plants. As the wood that the barrel is made from is thick, it will help to keep the roots cool in the heat of the summer and warm during the winter.
If you would like to give a more tranquil feeling to your property by including a fountain, you can cut the barrel in half, add a pond liner and a submersible pump, and turn one barrel into a multi-tiered waterfall or a lily pond.
Designing Strong, Durable Furniture
The curve created by the barrel staves, which are the slats that make up the barrel, fits in a way that makes it comfortable for people to sit in. Many people will cut up a barrel to make into a unique Adirondack chair, a swing, or a set of benches. You can also use a full cask as a pub table base or patio table for a bar area in your backyard or outside living area.
Warm Up Your Living Areas With This Aged Wood
You don’t have to limit aged-wood textures to the outside of your home. Using a bit of ingenuity, you can give your living space the look and feel of a traditional distillery or winery.
Create an Elegant Home Bar Or Enhance A Kitchen Space
The top end of a sliced cask creates a beautiful background for a custom mirror or a wall-mounted wine rack. You can even cut out the front of a whole cask and build out the inside with wooden shelves to create a beautiful liquor cabinet to display and keep your spirits secure while you’re entertaining guests. The aged wood provides another sensory element to your tasting room or finished basement, adding character to the room.
Creative Lighting Fixture
Another way to create character with these wood barrels is to get creative with the iron bands that hold the wood pieces together. The bands are great for use in chandeliers and pendant lights, and even wall sconces. Hang them from the ceiling in a dining room or over your kitchen island, and add a rustic, farmhouse touch to any home.
Choosing the Right Barrel For Your DIY Projects
It’s important to choose the highest quality barrels for your next project. Not all used barrels are made alike. A quality used wine barrel will give you the best look and feel, as well as the most structural integrity. The interior of a red wine barrel will stain darker with red wine, while the outside of the barrel will be lighter in color. Whiskey barrels will have a darker interior, but a rugged, industrial look to the exterior.
While the possibilities may be endless, choosing the right cask for your project is essential. Don’t get stuck buying a cask that is rotting out or has holes from poor manufacturing and storage practices. Start with a high-quality cask. There’s no need to spend all day searching a used cask in your local newspaper to find your project; find your cask from our experts in cask sourcing and procurement. If you are wondering what to do with one of your new barrels, give us a call.
The experts at Rocky Mountain Barrel Company will provide you with a wide variety of aged-wood casks that you can use for the upgrade of your next home or garden project.
