DIY Umbrella Stand
Updated Post: Simple DIY Umbrella Stand
For a couple years now we haven’t had a patio table, but we also do not have any shade, what so ever, in my backyard. There are no trees to shade us, no pergola, no gazebo, nothing! I didn’t want to get rid of my patio table umbrella because we desperately need shade when we sit out there. My husband and I decided to improvise and create a DIY umbrella stand using one of his old paint buckets that he used for work and some old pvc that we just had laying around to create a make shaft umbrella stand. Needless to say, the orange bucket did sort of blend in with our patio furniture, but it was so bright and bold, but so unattractive. It didn’t bother me too much until this year. I was tired of looking at the orange bucket so I found a way to cover it up! I am SO happy with how it turned out. It is so pretty and makes me want to just sit on the patio more, and I’m not really an outdoorsy person, so that right there says a lot!
Here is what you’ll need {contains affiliate links}:
- 5 gallon paint bucket
- instant set concrete
- pvc that will fit your umbrella
- large flower pot
- potting soil
- your favorite flowers
- Patio umbrella
Step 1} Get yourself a 5 gallon bucket!
Step 2} Set up your bucket – you may need an extra set of hands to hold the pvc in place. Insert your pvc in the middle of your bucket and fill around with quick set concrete. My husband filled it almost to the top of the bucket {maybe left a couple inches below the lip of the bucket}. I assume he was being overly cautious and I don’t think you need to really fill it as high as he did, so add as much as you feel comfortable with. Here is the midwest and being in the “windy city” suburban area, we go get very windy days and the umbrella would most likely tip over if we didn’t put enough in.
Step 3} Get your bigger flower pot ready. I found mine at Home Depot for $14.99. It’s plastic and I am hoping that it will last a few seasons before it needs to be replaced.
Step 4} I’m sure you could just place your 5 gallon bucket into the flower pot before you fill it with concrete, but we already had our “base” created so we had to just lift it into the flower pot which was very heavy! Good thing my son was home when I did this so he helped me and the two of us managed to get it inside the flower pot without the loss of any toes or feet!
Step 5} Get your potting soil and favorite flowers! It’s time to fill the flower pot with your potting soil. Once you have it filled to the desired height, start adding your flowers. This is the fun part! 🙂
Step 6} Now it’s time to just sit back and admire your work. I am so happy with how it turned out I can’t even tell you! I would like to paint the pvc no a tan color to match my umbrella poll, but other than that, I have been in awe of my own work! 🙂 I’ve covered that ugly eye sore!
What do you think? Share one of your summer DIY projects in the comments below! I love being inspired by others and I hope that this has inspired you to hide your eye sores! 😉 Please feel free to share your pictures of the DIY Umbrella Stand you create!
This is gorgeous! What a fabulous idea!
Wife and I luv it. I have all supplies exvept PVC! Money saver nice decor and creative fun! Just starting our new backyard.Luis Cyra
Can we use a big barrel pot?
Yes, that would be a great idea! Just get one large enough to fit the bucket you’ll be using and it should work beautifully! 🙂
I also used the same type of planters (just smaller) for my container gardening this year. It is a nice cohesive look and I love it!
This is such a neat idea! And it really looks like something I could do.
Thanks for the post!
Danielle
Thanks! It was a lot of fun & super easy! I don’t have a million hours to spend on projects so I tend to find the quick and easy ones. I enjoyed myself and have been wanting to get more pots to do other things with around the yard! 🙂 Good luck if you decide to do one!
Just what I was looking for. Thanks so much for the post!!!
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does the custom umbrella stand secure to the umbrella pole or does the pole just sit inside the PVC pipe?
The pole just goes inside the PVC. I like it that way because out here in the Midwest, when we get storms, I can take it out and put it in the shed until it passes.
Was it by accident or design that your PVC pipe had a fitting of some sort on the top? I noticed there is nothing in your directions that mentions anything other than the piece of pipe itself? Just curious if this was a fitting already on your pipe or if this served a purpose in securing your umbrella once it was placed in the stand.
I’m glad you pointed that out! Somehow I missed that! That was my husbands way of just making it look more polished. It serves no purpose other than caping off the cut end of the PVC pipe.
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How to create a unique DIY umbrella stand!
This is a great project! We definitely were not going to spend money on an expensive stand. Our question is, did you just fill the bucket with dry concrete or did you mix it and let it set? I’m thinking you mixed it and let it set because you can always take the bucket out in the event of changing your flower pot and dirt in the future
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How to create a unique DIY umbrella stand!
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How do you keep the umbrella from turning after it’s in the PVC pipe. My umbrella is 15′ x 8′ and I wouldn’t want a slight wind to turn it . Love the idea, just want to make sure it stays put.
We live in the midwest so it’s really windy here and I’ve never had any problems with the umbrella spinning. The pole for the umbrella just fits into the PVC pipe perfectly.
Working on this project and also live in the windy Midwest. When I am done, I will drill a hole straight through the PVC pipe and the umbrella stand and secure with a bolt so it doesn’t spin. Make sure to close the umbrella when you aren’t using it or you will have an airborne missile in a windstorm!