DIY Rolling Umbrella Stand

Recently, I have been doing a lot of renovations to our backyard but because we purchased a new build we are seriously lacking shade. I wanted to buy a movable umbrella stand so I didn’t have to lug a stationary umbrella stand around the yard. After doing some online research I discovered one thing–umbrella stands are super expensive! While on an impromptu shopping trip to Hobby Lobby, I found a really cool metal rolling laundry cart that was 75% off. I knew I had to buy it and turn it into a cool outdoor farmhouse umbrella stand. Follow me on my journey to the best budget friendly DIY Rolling Umbrella Stand.

Materials:

Materials for Umbrella Stand
Materials for Umbrella Stand
  1. Metal rolling cart or bucket: $20
  2. 5 Gallon Home Depot Bucket: $2.98
  3. 50 Lb bag of fast set concrete mix: $3.98
  4. 1″x24″ PVC Pipe: $2.34
  5. Duct Tape
  6. Filler
  7. Pea Gravel or decorative element
  8. Umbrella: $30
  9. Spray Paint (optional)

*I purchased all of my materials from Home Depot, except for the rolling cart which I purchased at Hobby Lobby. If you can’t find a cute metal laundry bucket on wheels, there are several metal buckets online you could purchase. If you find a bucket you love without wheels, you could always purchase small wheels at Home Depot and attach them to the bucket. 

Step 1:

Take the PVC pipe and completely Duct Tape one end of the pipe. The Duct Tape is added to the end of the PVC pipe to prevent cement from coming into the pipe while mixing. The PVC pipe will be what the umbrella is placed into so you want to ensure nothing will obstruct the umbrella pole from going into the pipe.

PVC Pipe Covered in Duct Tape- Go Longhorns!
PVC Pipe Covered in Duct Tape- Go Longhorns!

Step 2:

Take the Home Depot 5 gallon bucket and place it on a level surface. Place the PVC pipe duct tape down into the center of the bucket. Hold the PVC pipe in place while you add the entire bag of quick setting cement into the bucket.

PVC pipe in Home Depot bucket with quick setting cement
PVC pipe in Home Depot bucket with quick setting cement

Step 3:

Follow the directions on the bag of quick setting cement and add the appropriate amount of water into the Home Depot bucket. Once the water has been added, work quickly using a scrap piece of wood and stir the quick setting cement without disturbing the PVC pipe in the center. Mix until the cement is well incorporated. Let this set for several hours.

Quick set cement drying in bucket with PVC pipe in the center
Quick set cement drying in bucket with PVC pipe in the center

Step 4:

Once the cement is dry I took a can of black spray paint I had in the garage and used it to spray the PVC pipe black. I didn’t want the white PVC pipe to stand out like a sore thumb against the black umbrella base.

PVC Pipe set in the bucket painted black
PVC Pipe set in the bucket painted black

Step 5:

Place the Home Depot bucket inside of the rolling metal bin. Because I was adding pea gravel to the top of the metal bin for decoration, I had to add a lighter filler to the surrounding areas so the bucket would not be too heavy. I decided to cut up an old moving blanket I found in my garage and layer it inside the metal bin. I poured a thin layer of pea gravel on top of the moving blanket. Simply place your umbrella of choice into the PVC pipe and enjoy the shade!

DIY Rolling Outdoor Umbrella Stand
DIY Rolling Outdoor Umbrella Stand

2 Replies to “DIY Rolling Umbrella Stand”

  1. good idea, and kids could decorate it too with hand prints on the sides of bucket.. or flowers or whatever

    1. Yes, Great idea! You could also add a wooden tray to the top for drinks! I might be making a few more in my future!

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