23 Brilliant Rain Chain Ideas

Rain Chain Options


Incorporating items that are exclusively ornamental, such as paintings and statues, is an important part of decorating your home and garden. However, you can greatly expand your decorating options by adopting a simple philosophy: How can I accomplish a necessary function in an aesthetically pleasing way?

Rain chains, decorative alternatives to traditional metal or plastic downspouts, are a fantastic example of what this philosophy looks like in practice. They come in a wide variety of styles, but all have the same practical purpose: directing rainwater from rooftop gutters away from the house and to the ground (or to a storage vessel). Additionally, rain chains offer the benefit of being visually pleasing water features which enhance a home’s appearance.

Rain chains originated in Japan, where they have adorned houses and temples for hundreds of years. There they are called “kusari-doi”, or “chain gutter”. The first kusari-doi were created in the 1600s to adorn tea houses. These early examples used bamboo and palm ropes. In addition to being attractive, kusari-doi are valued for generating a pleasant white-noise effect as water drips or pours down them. Rain chains began gaining international popularity after Japan hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and visiting style connoisseurs spotted them.

Some garden supply shops offer rain chains for purchase, but they are also easy to make and customize at home. Many different objects, from recycled household items to natural objects like stones, can be incorporated into a rain chain. You can use materials and color schemes that complement your home, or you can choose contrasting materials and colors to add an intriguing accent.

This article offers thirty four rain chain ideas, many creative options you can you can do yourself (DIY), others are available for purchase.

1. Ombre Rain Chain


Source: DIY Ombre Rain Chain – Design Sponge

This rain chain incorporates miniature terracotta pots in a gradient of different shades of blue. The pots are connected along the chain by running the chain through the drainage hole at the base of the pot. The possibilities for customizing color schemes and decorative designs on the miniature pots are endless.

2. Stone Rain Chain


Source: Dollar Store Crafts

This charming rain chain consists of polished stones wrapped into the links of a chain using thin wire. The links themselves are also connected with wire spirals. This rain chain could also hold polished shells or crystals.

3. Copper Tubing Rain Chain


Source: Instructables

Here we see a rain chain making clever use of recycled lengths of copper tubing. The tubing helps direct even heavy rainfall safely away from the house, and the oversized rings of copper create an appealing water feature.

4. Recycled Spoon


Source: Birds and Blooms

This rain chain made of recycled spoons has undeniable rustic charm. The spoon handles are used to create the chain itself, while the bowls are attached along it at angles to direct water.

5. Fork and Spoon


Source: I’m Going to Texas

This is another great example of a rain chain made from recycled materials, incorporating both spoons and forks. The tines of the forks are bent to create the chain, adding whimsical appeal. This is a great project to put together with old silverware of your own, or with a handful found at a thrift shop

6. Mini Flower Pots


Source: All Things Heart & Home

A cute take on the flower pot rain chain idea, this example features an antiquing effect achieved using paint. It also features a basin at the bottom, a useful addition which helps anchor the chain and collects rainwater for eco-friendly re-use.

7. Ring Rain Chain


Source: My Home My Style

Featuring a copper basin and a chain made out of vertical tubes, this rain chain is reminiscent of those featured in early Japanese teahouse. If you are going for a sophisticated, timeless look, this style of rain chain is for you.

8. Pine Cones

In this rain chain, elements from nature are used to direct water away from your home. This chain includes large pinecones connected by small metal links. If you try a similar project, it may be a good idea to apply a weather-resistant coating to the pinecones.

9. Stacked Mini Planter Pots


Source: Old House Crazy

Water will cascade attractively from flower pot to flower pot in this rain chain featuring stacked miniature planters. The attached hooks for hanging make it easy to assemble.

10. Stacked Planters


Source: Cut Out and Keep

Featuring large hanging planters, this rain chain is a good option for areas with heavy rainfall, as the stacked style is capable of redirecting a large amount of water. The design also makes use of a planter saucer to catch overflow.

11. Stacked Metal Buckets


Source: Timeless Treasures

The re-purposed materials used in this rain chain would be totally at home in front of a cozy farmhouse or cabin. The small metal buckets direct water into a tall, weathered metal rain barrel where it can be collected and used to keep the garden lush and healthy.

12. Candle Holder


Source: Make

Another interesting way to use recycled objects in rain chains is by using candle holders, as this chain does. The variety of whimsical designs on the candle holders adds visual interest as the water is directed in ever-changing patterns.

13. Funnel and Basin Rain Chain


Source: Northline Express

Featuring delicate metal cups, thick chain links, and a gorgeous copper basin, this rain chain is a statement piece that complements any yard. The water striking the scooped surface of the basin gives a dramatic visual effect.

14. Lantern

This rain chain captures the spirit of kusari-doi by incorporating intricately decorated metal lanterns. The wooden box at the foot of the chain, filled with polished stones, is an attractive way to ensure proper drainage.

This rain chain is available in our store! More information

15. Rain Chain with Copper Planters


Source: Two Thirty Five Designs

With live plants growing in each copper planter, this rain chain is the ultimate combination of form and function. It brings an element of botanical beauty to your yard that is effortless to maintain.

16. Stacked Copper Buckets


Source: Randy and Meg’s Garden Paradise

The large decorative pot at the foot of this rain chain serves as an intriguing visual contrast to the sleek copper buckets that make up the chain. This interplay of metal and ornate ceramic provides timeless style.

17. Ceramic


Source: Prairie Break

This striking rain chain is made up entirely of polished ceramic discs in different colors. The water streaming over the edges is pleasing to the eye and ear, making this rain chain a great conversation piece as well as a practical tool.

Where to Buy

18. Bronze Tapered Square Cup Rain Chain

3178 BRZ rain chain

Check Price on Garden Lovers Club

The bronze effect is created by applying an exclusive bronze powder that is very appealing, and the entire series of square cups is eight feet in length. The cups themselves are made of sturdy galvanized steel, so you can count on years of usage with these long-lasting rain chains. Even the seams are heavy-duty reinforced seams, so the rain chain is capable of handling the extremely heavy rain that sometimes occurs. The rain chain comes equipped with a V-hook, to make installation a breeze.

19. XL Scallop Aluminum Bronze Cups Rain Chain

3104 BRZ Rain-Chain

Check Price on Garden Lovers Club

Each of the elegantly styled scallop cups is a full 4.5” across and 5.5” in length, making these cups some of the largest on the market. That, of course, also makes them ideal for handling heavy rain that occurs almost everywhere in the country. The cups are manufactured out of aluminum, then coated with bronze powder to achieve the stylistic elegance they have.

Using high-quality materials, all cups are crafted by hand to give this rain chain the look of a product made by a master artisan. The extra-large cups make this rain chain extremely durable and, since the entire product is welded for superior strength, you can count on years of service. The rustic look of this rain chain makes it ideal for use in several different architectural home styles, e.g. Southwest, Old Spanish, or just natural Rustic.

20. Pure Copper Acorn Cups

Acorn Rain Chain

Check price on Garden Lovers Club

This highly stylish rain chain is comprised of cups made of thick, pure copper, shaped to mimic the appearance of large acorns. That will allow it to blend in naturally to your home environment, and still provide the functionality you need to divert excess water away from your home. The rain chain is a full eight feet in length, and is equipped with a gutter V-hook, so it will be very easy to install on your home. There are normally 16 acorn cups included in the full length of the rain chain, although custom sizes can be arranged as well.

21. Butterfly Cups Garden Theme Copper Rain Chain

Butterfly Cups Rain Chain

Check Price on Garden lovers Club

Each cup of this rain chain is decoratively styled with a copper butterfly, complete with antenna, to give your rain chain an ornate look next to the house. Along with the outstanding inclusion of the butterflies, each cup is also hand-worked with some intricate floral designs to give it the look of a beautiful garden implement. There are three butterflies on each cup, and the rain chain itself extends a full eight feet in length. Installation is made easy by the gutter V-hook included with the package, so it can easily attached to your existing gutter or you can use an optional installation kit.

22. Double Loops Black Link Chain

double loops rain chain

Check Price on Garden Lovers Club

Instead of cups that catch cascading rainfall, this rain chain uses a strategy that includes a double-loop black chain to pass water down the chain and away from your home. The double loops add incredible strength and durability to this rain chain. The powder coating is far superior to painted-on products, which will be worn away readily by regular rainfalls. Each of the double loops is two inches in diameter, and is firmly secured to the other chains in the link. The aluminum base metal for the chain will not rust, regardless of how long it gets exposed to climatic conditions in your area.

23. KOI Fish Pure Copper Rain Chain

koi fish rain chain

Check Price on Garden Lovers Club

The next rain chain that we are going to look at is one that will beautifully accompany any outdoor water garden that you have near your home. It is made of copper, so over time, the shine will fade and create an oxidized greenish tint on the metal that will look great as the water flows over the chain. The cups have a unique fish design that can be hung with the mouth facing downward like it is jumping into the water below or with the mouth facing upward so that the fish can catch the raindrops as they fall.