HGTV's Ben Napier Shares A Stylish Alternative To Typical Rain Barrels

If you live somewhere where the weather feels unpredictable, one day it might seem like rain is gushing from your roof, then the next day it's dry as the desert. But what if you could capture that precious water and save it for a not-so-rainy day? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, watering lawns and gardens accounts for up to 40% of water usage during the summer, but a rain barrel can help you conserve water, reduce runoff, and save money. 

In a recent episode of "Home Town," Ben Napier built a greenhouse to surprise his wife, Erin Napier, for Mother's Day. The greenhouse and surrounding garden had no shortage of beautiful features, from stained glass window panels to a cozy tea table built for two. After the episode aired, Ben shared in an Instagram post that he had also installed two large rain barrels outside, but even this practical feature didn't escape his keen eye for design. Instead of a typical clunky and large rain barrel, Ben opted for two sleek barrels that mimic terracotta pots. Here's what inspired Ben to add the rain barrels to his greenhouse build, the tricks he discovered along the way, and ideas to help you give your rain collection system a much needed makeover. 

"How about these 'terracotta' rain barrels?" Ben Napier wrote in his Instagram caption, "They're plastic and I found them at gardeners.com." These teardrop-shaped barrels, or "rainwater urns" come in two shades, soft brown or classic terracotta, and cost $299 per barrel. These barrels can hold up to 65 gallons of water each, with a built-in spigot and 5-foot hose. As Napier quickly learned, however, you shouldn't toss out the instructions when setting them up. He wrote, "Fun story, these have a plug in the bottom. I set them up at first and didn't put the plug in. After multiple storms, they were still empty."

Besides a rain barrel's ability to reduce tap water usage and contain runoff, any plant enthusiast will swear by the benefits of using rainwater to water your grass and flowers, including HGTV star Ben Napier — and his grandmother! "My granny had 55 gallon drums to catch rain water out of her gutters. She told me that her flowers preferred rain water," he wrote on Instagram, "I wanted to do the same thing, but these are prettier than a big blue barrel." There is certainly some truth in Grandma's words. Plants love rainwater because it doesn't contain the minerals or chemicals like treated tap water. Plus, rainwater is often infused with nutrients and serves as a rich source of nitrates. 

If there's anything to be learned from Ben Napier's lovely greenhouse updates, it's that aesthetics shouldn't be an afterthought, even with something as simple as a rain barrel. Instead, choose one that enhances the look of your outdoor space. While they do have a lovely cottage charm, you don't have to purchase the exact barrels that Napier featured in his greenhouse and garden design. 

If earthy terracotta isn't your thing, there are plenty of other aesthetically pleasing options on the market. A traditional wood barrel-like design like this 50-gallon one from Tractor Supply for under $140 is perfect for matching a more rustic style. Alternatively, this 50-gallon gray brick-like rain barrel for $178.02 at Lowe's would blend in with a more modern, urban garden environment. 

To update your garden's rain collection system without breaking the bank, you could even learn how to DIY your own rain barrel. Beautifying your existing rain barrel could be as simple as using acrylic spray-paint to paint it a warm terracotta shade, match it to your house for a monochrome look, or turn the barrel into an eye-catching mural. To add a spigot to your existing rain barrel, use leftover materials to DIY a rain barrel stand that will raise it above the ground for easy pouring.