Old rain gutters deserve a second chance to shine, and these DIY projects prove just how versatile they can be. Instead of letting them rust away in a corner, you can turn them into clever planters, space-saving storage, or eye-catching decor.
With a bit of creativity and a few basic tools, you can give your space a fresh, modern look without spending much. Each idea is easy to try, making them perfect for beginners who love quick weekend projects.
You’ll be amazed by how a simple gutter can transform into a stylish garden accent or practical household solution. So grab your old gutters, roll up your sleeves, and start crafting something beautiful and functional for your home.
#1 Vertical Growing
This vertical rain gutter garden is a clever way to turn limited space into a lush green haven. By attaching old gutters to a wooden fence, you can create neat rows of thriving vegetables or herbs that stay organized and easy to harvest.
The sleek design saves ground space while adding a fresh, modern touch to your backyard or balcony. To make it, cut the gutters to size, drill drainage holes, and secure them horizontally with brackets.
Fill them with rich potting soil and plant greens like lettuce, spinach, or herbs that don’t need deep roots. With regular watering and sunlight, you’ll soon have a compact garden bursting with life.
#2 Rain Gutter Centerpiece
An old gutter can turn into an eye-catching table centerpiece with just a touch of creativity. This metal gutter planter brings rustic charm to any dining or coffee table, blending perfectly with farmhouse or vintage decor.
You can fill it with faux greenery, dried flowers, or fresh herbs for a natural accent that feels cozy and grounded. To make your own, clean the gutter thoroughly, smooth any sharp edges, and secure end caps to hold soil or floral foam.
Add decorative stones or moss for texture before arranging your plants or seasonal decor. It’s a simple way to give new life to old materials while adding a personal, handcrafted touch to your home.
#3 Herb Garden Made From A Rain Gutter
This wall-mounted rain gutter herb garden brings fresh flavors right to your fingertips. Mounted along a sunny fence or wall, it’s a smart way to grow rosemary, sage, thyme, and mint without taking up ground space.
The mint-green gutter adds a cheerful pop of color and keeps herbs neatly organized for easy harvesting. To create your own, cut the gutter to fit your space, drill drainage holes, and attach it securely using brackets or hooks.
Fill it with well-draining potting mix and start planting your favorite herbs. With a little watering and sunlight, you’ll have a fragrant, space-saving garden ready to enhance your cooking.
#4 Kitchen Herb Planters
This indoor rain gutter herb planter brings fresh greenery straight into your kitchen. Made with sleek aluminum gutters, it’s a modern and practical way to grow basil, parsley, and cilantro right where you cook.
The compact, wall-mounted design saves counter space and gives your kitchen a refreshing, earthy vibe. To recreate it, mount two gutters securely on a wall or backsplash using sturdy brackets.
Add potting mix, plant your favorite herbs, and label them with chalk or paint for a fun touch. Keep them trimmed and watered regularly, and you’ll always have aromatic herbs within arm’s reach.
#5 Unique DIY Hanging Gutter Garden
This hanging rain gutter planter adds a playful and practical touch to any outdoor space. Suspended by strong ropes or chains, it’s ideal for growing flowers, herbs, or trailing plants in small gardens or balconies.
The lightweight gutter design keeps everything neat and contained while allowing plants to spill beautifully over the sides. To make one, cut the gutter to your preferred length, drill small drainage holes, and attach hanging hardware at each end.
Fill it with potting soil and your favorite blooms like pansies or petunias for a burst of color. Hang it where it can catch sunlight, and watch your mini garden sway gently in the breeze.
#6 Use Gutters to Dress Up Your Fence
This tiered rain gutter garden transforms a plain fence into a lush, living wall. Each level bursts with herbs, greens, and flowers, turning limited space into a thriving vertical oasis.
The mix of leafy plants and bright blooms brings color and life to your outdoor area while keeping everything tidy and easy to reach.
To recreate it, attach gutters horizontally to your fence using brackets, spacing them a foot apart for healthy growth. Drill drainage holes along the bottom, fill with quality soil, and plant your favorite mix of edibles and ornamentals.
Regular watering and a bit of pruning will keep your vertical garden fresh and flourishing all season long.
#7 Gutter Gardening on the Deck
This clever rain gutter garden built along a deck railing is a simple way to grow fresh greens right at your fingertips. It uses the long, narrow space perfectly for lettuce, herbs, and other compact plants that thrive in shallow soil.
The setup keeps your crops off the ground, away from pests, and adds a charming touch of greenery to your outdoor seating area. To make one, secure a rain gutter along your railing using metal brackets and drill drainage holes every few inches.
Fill it with a mix of potting soil and compost, then plant your favorite salad greens. Regular watering and sunlight will keep your mini garden lush and ready for harvest all season.
#8 Rain Gutter Strawberry Garden
This rain gutter strawberry wall is a space-saving way to enjoy homegrown berries even in small areas. The stacked gutters allow each level to receive plenty of sunlight, while the white backdrop keeps the design bright and fresh.
Strawberries grow perfectly in shallow containers, and their trailing vines spill beautifully over the edges as the fruit ripens. To build one, mount several gutters vertically on a sunny wall and drill drainage holes for proper water flow.
Fill them with lightweight soil, plant your strawberry starts, and water regularly to keep the roots moist. Soon, you’ll have a living wall bursting with greenery and sweet red berries ready for picking.
#9 Indoor Hanging Planter Idea
This hanging indoor rain gutter planter is a bright, cheerful way to grow herbs, veggies, or flowers right by your window. The multi-tiered design saves space while giving each layer plenty of light to thrive.
It turns ordinary gutters into floating garden shelves that look charming and keep your plants within easy reach. To create one, suspend gutters using strong ropes or chains from ceiling hooks, leaving enough space between each for growth.
Drill small drainage holes, fill with potting mix, and label each layer with paint or markers for a fun touch. A little watering and sunlight will keep your indoor mini-garden blooming beautifully all year long.
#10 Use An Old Rain Gutter To Create A Flowing Waterway For Plastic Boats
This rain gutter waterway turns a simple idea into hours of backyard fun for kids. By laying an old gutter along the ground and filling it with water, you create a mini canal where toy boats can sail and race.
It’s a playful way to spark imagination and outdoor creativity, especially on warm days. To set it up, place the gutter on a flat surface and seal the ends to keep water in.
Add a gentle slope if you want the boats to move on their own, or let the kids blow them along. Keep a small bucket nearby for easy refills and watch their excitement flow right along with the water.
#11 Windowsill Succulent Planter
A windowsill rain gutter planter is a clever way to showcase your favorite succulents right where the light pours in. The slim, linear design makes it perfect for small spaces, adding a neat green touch to your home without clutter.
You can easily fill the gutter with well-draining soil and a mix of colorful succulents for a modern, minimalist look. To recreate this, cut a short section of gutter to fit your window ledge and secure the ends.
Add pebbles at the bottom for drainage, then arrange the plants in gentle clusters. With just a little sunlight and minimal watering, your windowsill turns into a stunning indoor desert garden.
#12 Rain Gutter Bookshelf
This adorable rain gutter bookshelf adds charm and function to any child’s room. It keeps books neatly displayed and easy to reach, turning reading time into a colorful, inviting experience.
The shallow gutter shape perfectly holds picture books upright, so little ones can see their covers and choose stories themselves. To build one, cut gutters to your preferred length, sand the edges, and mount them securely with brackets.
Paint them white or match the room’s color theme for a polished look. It’s a creative, space-saving way to encourage reading while keeping the play area bright and organized.
#13 Rain Gutter Shoe Storage
Transform your entryway or closet into a tidy, space-saving zone with this clever rain gutter shoe organizer. It’s perfect for keeping shoes off the floor while still being easy to grab when you’re on the go.
Each gutter acts as a sleek shelf that holds pairs securely without cluttering up valuable space. To make it, measure the wall area and cut your gutters to fit, then mount them using sturdy brackets or wall anchors.
Add a coat of paint to match your interior for a cleaner look. You’ll be amazed at how such a simple DIY can instantly make mornings more organized and stress-free.
#14 DIY Hanging Rain Gutter Planter For Porch
Brighten up your porch with this colorful hanging rain gutter planter that adds layers of greenery and charm. The vivid blue gutters pop beautifully against the brick wall, making it both a decorative and practical feature.
You can fill each tier with vibrant flowers or trailing plants for a lush, cascading effect. To make it, drill holes for drainage, tie sturdy ropes through the corners, and hang them securely from metal hooks.
Painting the gutters before assembly gives your project a polished, weatherproof finish. It’s a cheerful way to bring nature closer while saving precious floor space.
#15 Ribbon Storage
If you love crafting but hate tangled ribbons, this rain gutter ribbon organizer is a perfect fix. Mounted on the back of a door, it turns unused space into a colorful and practical display.
Each gutter neatly holds rolls of ribbon, keeping them visible and easy to pull from when needed. To make it, cut the gutters to fit your door width, attach end caps, and secure them with screws or adhesive brackets.
You can even label each section by color or theme for better organization. It’s a quick, affordable upgrade that keeps your creative zone tidy and inspiring.
#16 Outdoor Vertical Garden
This outdoor vertical gutter garden is perfect for small spaces where you still want to grow plenty of greens. By stacking gutters on wooden posts, you can turn any sunny wall or fence line into a living wall of herbs or leafy vegetables.
The setup allows excellent drainage and easy watering, keeping your plants thriving with little effort. To recreate it, cut gutters to your preferred length, drill drainage holes, and attach them securely to sturdy wooden supports.
Fill each one with potting soil and plant seedlings that don’t require deep roots like lettuce or spinach. It’s a clean, modern way to make your garden both efficient and visually striking.
#17 Fence Vegetable Garden
A simple way to add greenery without cluttering the ground, this fence-mounted rain gutter garden is sleek and space-saving. The black gutters blend beautifully against the dark fence, letting the green leaves and white blooms stand out vividly.
You can grow small flowers, herbs, or even strawberries in these long, narrow troughs. To create this look, attach brackets to your fence, mount the gutters securely, and drill small holes for drainage.
Fill them with high-quality potting soil and choose plants that thrive in shallow beds. It’s an easy weekend project that instantly gives your outdoor area a refreshing, modern vibe.
#18 Balcony Gutter Garden
This deck railing gutter garden turns unused space into a productive growing zone that looks elegant and practical.
The gutters are attached neatly along the railings, wrapping around the corner to create a green border full of young herbs and greens. It’s perfect if you love fresh produce but lack ground space.
To make it, measure your railing, cut the gutters to fit, and fasten them securely using brackets or zip ties. Add potting soil, drill drainage holes, and plant lettuce, spinach, or small vines for a lush look.
The setup not only enhances your deck but also keeps your garden close at hand for easy harvesting.