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The art of coopering, or barrel-making, has been handed down through the generations and across continents. These wooden staved vessels, with flat ends, and bound together by metal hoops, were important for food and water storage. Today, while storage methods have improved for a lot of products, a small wooden barrel can still prove to be a handsome and oftentimes useful addition to your home or garden. Here are some ideas on what you can use one for.

Older than the tradition of coopering is that of winemaking. Throughout history, the juice of crushed grapes has been left in wooden (usually oak) barrels to age and ferment. California Chardonnays are in particular known for being “oaky.” Today, while many wines are now aged in metal barrels, wooden barrels are still widely used. For the at-home vintner, a small wooden barrel can be the beginning of a new pet project, so long as it’s watertight. There are plenty of at-home winemaking and beer brewing kits for the motivated.

A watertight small wooden barrel is also good for holding other liquids, including spirits, molasses, and vinegar. Many farmhouses have what is called a rain barrel for the storing of rainwater. If you live in a particularly dry and hot region, or have any concern for clean water, you can use barrels to store emergency drinking water.

Many barrels are not watertight, but are still sharp-looking storage containers for dry goods. For instance, grains, fruits and vegetables are classic choices for storing in barrels. You can also store your pet’s food in a small wooden barrel. Cedar is a particularly nice choice because the tannins in the wood naturally repel all manner of insects, including moths and fleas.

You can also use a small wooden barrel repurposed as a trash can, or keep them throughout the house for storing toys, knick-knacks, etc. Some wooden barrels are just there to be decorative, and they can really beautify a room, garden or living space with rustic, Americana charm.

Wooden barrels can also be decorated in addition to being decorative. For one, they can be dyed in many colors or left plain to show the natural coloration and grain of the wood. A small wooden barrel can be open on top with a twine or wooden handle. Or it can have a flat top lid with a handle and hinged lift. Many of the watertight barrels also come equipped with a faucet tap on the lid for the convenient pouring of whatever liquids are stored inside. It’s also a nice touch to add a matching engraved nameplate onto barrels stating what’s inside.

Barrels come in all sizes, but unless you’ve got ample room, usually a small wooden barrel is all you’ll need to store in style and give your home that old-fashioned trading post or provincial French look. You can take part in a valued tradition while enjoying the beauty of crafted wood. Plus, it’s much nicer looking than gaudy rubber storage containers, and about just as durable. Many woods, including hardwoods like cedar, are meant to hold up against the elements, and will last throughout the years with very little maintenance required.

Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes for such sites as http://www.cedarwoodfurniture.com