homestead.fyi / BARRELSTAND

Rain Barrel Stand

A 24 in stand of 4x4 legs, a 2x4 frame and a plywood top for a 55 gal rain barrel.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
55 galBarrel
28 x 28 inStand
24 inHeight
460 lb fullCapacity
1 to 2 hrBuild time
$95.00Materials

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
Front elevation
Front elevation 28 in 59 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 28 in 59 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 28 in 28 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x4 PT28Rail fronton edge, screwed through the legs
12x4 PT28Rail backon edge, screwed through the legs
12x4 PT25Rail lefton edge, screwed through the legs
12x4 PT25Rail righton edge, screwed through the legs
12x4 PT25Cross-baron edge, between the rails
44x4 PT19 3/4Leg

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Top3/4 ply28 x 28

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x4 PT x 12 ft
Rail front 28Rail back 28Rail left 25Rail right 25Cross-bar 25
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Leg 1 19 3/4Leg 2 19 3/4Leg 3 19 3/4Leg 4 19 3/4

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Top28 x 28

Shopping list $95.00 checked / $0.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x4x12 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot1$7.18$7.18see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot1$11.28$11.28see lumber cutting diagram
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$46.57$46.57see sheet cutting diagrams
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot1$29.97$29.97
Total before tax$95.00
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Cut four legs from one 4x4 and the rails from the 2x4s. Screw the rails around the tops of the legs so the top of the frame is flush with the leg tops.
  2. Screw the cross-bar in the middle and the plywood top on every 6 in.
  3. Set the stand on a level pad of 4 in compacted gravel or four pavers, in the shade under the downspout.
  4. Set the barrel on the stand and fit the spigot 3 in from the bottom.
  5. Add a screen over the top, and an overflow pipe that goes away from the house.

Before you start