| The ancient art of coopering, often manifested in the | | | | food in a small wooden barrel. Of all the woods, |
| form of barrel making, goes back thousands of | | | | cedar is especially good for storing dry food products |
| years. Barrels were used by the Romans and the | | | | because of its natural ability to repel insects, like |
| Gauls to store and ship materials. These wooden | | | | moths and fleas, with the use of its tannins. |
| staved vessels, with flat ends, and bound together | | | | A small wooden barrel can also be repurposed with |
| by metal hoops, were important for food and water | | | | an interior lining and galvanized lid to make a |
| storage, among other commodities. These days, | | | | sharp-looking trash can. You can also stack and stick |
| goods are transported in different ways but there's | | | | them throughout your home for storing toys, odds |
| still an undeniable charm to the quaint form of a small | | | | and ends and whatever else can be tucked away. |
| wooden barrel. Placed in your home or garden, it can | | | | The nice thing about barrels is that they're functional, |
| be a handsome addition and might even be put to | | | | but sometimes they also simply look nice. Placed in |
| good use. Here are some ideas on just what you can | | | | the garden, living room, or front porch, a small |
| use one for. | | | | wooden barrel is rustic in its beauty, hearkening to |
| Winemaking is a tradition that dates back even | | | | whimsical Americana design. |
| further than coopering. There is evidence of wine | | | | In addition to being decorated, wooden barrels can |
| being made around 6000 BC in parts of modern-day | | | | also be decorative. For example, wood is amenable |
| Georgia, Iran, Greece and China. Throughout history, | | | | to dying and staining, so they can match your |
| since the innovation of coopering, the juice of | | | | décor. Or, you can choose to leave your |
| crushed grapes has been left in wooden (usually oak) | | | | barrel unfinished and allow the natural grain and color |
| barrels to age and ferment. California Chardonnay | | | | of the wood to show. A small wooden barrel can be |
| varietals in particular have a tendency to be "okay," | | | | open on top with a twine or wooden handle. For |
| or flavored by the barrel in which they were aged. | | | | those with lids, many barrels have a hinged opening |
| Today, while many wines are now aged in metal | | | | with a handle lift. Many of the watertight barrels also |
| barrels, wooden barrels are still widely used. A small | | | | come equipped with a faucet tap on the lid for the |
| wine barrel at home can be the stepping off point | | | | convenient pouring of whatever liquids are stored |
| for your new winemaking hobby. Just make sure you | | | | inside. If you have multiple barrels, adding engraved |
| get one that's certified watertight. For those | | | | nameplates to the outside will help you keep things |
| motivated enough to learn, there are plenty of | | | | straight and tell you what's inside without your having |
| at-home winemaking and beer brewing kits and | | | | to peek. |
| materials available to buy. | | | | While barrels come in many sizes, from the tiny to |
| In addition to wine, you can use a well-sealed barrel | | | | the very large, chances are a small wooden barrel will |
| for the storage of other liquids, like molasses, spirits, | | | | be big enough for your decorating purposes. Placed in |
| vinegar and more. Many farmhouses have what is | | | | the right setting, you'll either connote an old-time |
| called a rain barrel for the storing of rainwater. In the | | | | American theme or more of a provincial French feel. |
| past, people also kept emergency drinking water in | | | | You can take part in a valued tradition while enjoying |
| barrels during droughts and water shortages. These | | | | the beauty of crafted wood. It's also much better |
| can still be useful reserves today for those people in | | | | looking than cheap or gaudy plastic and rubber |
| arid climates or with a questionably clean water | | | | storage containers. The best part is, wood can prove |
| source. | | | | just as durable, so put the ugly Rubbermaid in the |
| For those barrels that are not watertight, there are | | | | garage. |
| still plenty of things that can be kept inside. Grains, | | | | Many woods, including hardwoods like cedar, are |
| vegetables and fruits are popular choices for dry | | | | meant to hold up against the elements, and will last |
| goods storage, and a small wooden barrel has | | | | throughout the years with very little maintenance |
| infinitely more charm placed on a counter than, say, a | | | | required. |
| Tupperware container. You can also store your pet's | | | | |