This little wheelbarrow is one of my favorite hidden-gem builds this fall. It starts with an 18″ wood crate that I grabbed for a great price at Menards (you can find these at most craft stores too), and it actually rolls once it’s done. I love decor that’s a little bit functional, even if the “function” is just fun.
Supplies
- 18″ wood crate
- 2×2 lumber
- 8″ wood round, 1″ thick (this is your wheel, and it’s way cheaper than buying an actual wheel)
- 3/8″ x 5 1/2″ carriage bolts
- 3/8″ locking nuts
- 1/2″ paddle drill bit
- 1 1/4″ construction screws
- Wood stain (I used Early American) or paint
- Water-based sealant, or spar urethane if this is going outside
- Pumpkins for styling (I found mine at Michaels and Dollar Tree)
Cut List
From your 2×2, cut:
- Two pieces at 36″
- Two pieces at 10″
- Two pieces at 9 1/2″ long point to long point (cut a 45° angle off one end, flip the board so the angled lines run perpendicular, then measure 9 1/2″ from that long point to the opposite long point)
Screenshot that cut list before you start. It’ll save you a trip back to this post.
Steps
- Make the wheel. A real wheelbarrow wheel runs $25 or more, so instead I used an 8″ wood round. Drill a hole through the center with a 1/2″ paddle bit to turn the solid circle into an actual wheel.
- Drill the axle holes. Measure 3″ up from the end of each long 2×2 board and drill two more 1/2″ holes. This is where the carriage bolt runs through to hold the wheel in place.
- Dry fit, then take it apart. Put the wheel and carriage bolt in place with the locking nut to make sure everything fits, then take it back apart. It’s a lot easier to sand and stain flat pieces than to get into the nooks and crannies of an assembled piece. If you’d rather assemble first and finish second, that works too.
- Sand and finish. Sand everything down, especially the crate, since those tend to be rough. I stained mine in Early American, but paint works great too if that fits your decor better.
- Attach the wheel. Once everything is dry, put the carriage bolt and wheel back on. Measure up 9″ from the end of both long 2×2 boards on the top side. This mark is your guide for lining up the crate.
- Line up the crate. Use your 9″ marks to position the crate, and check the back side to make sure the V shape formed by the handles isn’t too wide. You want about 2″ on either side of where your 10″ pieces will sit.
- Attach the crate. Drill pilot holes so the crate doesn’t crack (I still got one tiny crack even with pilot holes, but you honestly can’t see it), then reinforce with 1 1/4″ construction screws. Those are thick enough to hold without poking through the bottom of the 2×2.
- Add the handles. Line up your two 10″ pieces in the back, drill pilot holes, and screw them in with the same screws.
- Add the angled supports (optional). These 45° angle pieces aren’t required, but they add sturdiness and a little extra cute detail to the sides. Drill pilot holes through the back of the 2x2s, then go from the top down through the crate to lock in both angles.
- Seal it. I did three coats of a water-based sealant since mine is staying inside or on a covered porch. If yours is going fully outside, use spar urethane or another outdoor-safe sealant instead.
Styling
I styled mine with small pumpkins from Michaels and Dollar Tree, and the best part is the wheel actually works, so you can use it as a real mini wheelbarrow if you want.
