Decorative Water Butts: How to Choose the Right One

A decorative water butt stores rainwater just like a standard one, but it is designed to be seen. To choose one, start with the space you have, then pick a style that suits it (slim wall tank, stone or wood effect, amphora, cube or 2in1 planter), check the capacity against how much you water, and make sure the fittings match your downpipe. 

What is a decorative water butt? 

It is a rainwater tank with a finish or shape chosen to blend into the garden rather than stand out from it. Our guide to what a water butt is puts it simply: slimline butts fit tight spaces, larger round barrels hold more volume, and decorative options exist if looks matter. 

It works in exactly the same way as any other water butt. A diverter on the downpipe sends rain into the tank until it is full, then lets the rest carry on down to the drain. A tap near the base lets you fill a watering can. It is gravity fed, so there is no electricity or pump involved. 

Which style suits my garden? 

The right style depends mostly on where the water butt will sit. These are the main decorative styles in the GRAF water butt range and where each one tends to work best. 

Slim wall tanks for side returns and narrow paths 

Slim wall tanks stand tall and shallow, so they sit flat against a wall and leave the path clear, and they come with fittings to fix them to the wall. The Slim Wood Wall Tank, Slim Stone Décor and Dark Grey Slim Stone Wall Tank each hold 350 litres in a tank 390 mm deep, from £277.80. If you have more height to play with, the Slim Stone Decor Wall Tank comes in 500 and 510 litre versions (£327.00), and the Extra Slim Stone Water Butt holds 400 litres (£420.00). 

Stone and granite effect tanks for patios and borders 

Stone effect finishes suit gravel, paving and planted borders. The Rocky Junior wall tank (300 litres, £299.99) has a dark granite finish, the Muro Water Butt (260 litres, £290.39) comes in graphite grey, and the Nordic Water Butt (300 litres) comes in stone grey or graphite grey, from £249.98. 

Wood effect tanks for decking and fences 

A wood effect tank sits comfortably next to timber decking, fencing or a shed. The Slim Wood Wall Tank has a dark wood effect finish, and the Madera Rainwater Tank (220 litres, £290.39) and Barrica Rainwater Barrel (260 or 420 litres, from £280.20) take their look from the traditional wooden barrel.

Amphora and column shapes as a feature 

If you would like the water butt to be a feature in its own right, the Antique Amphora (250 litres, from £388.80) comes in dark granite or terracotta, with a planter cup on top. It is made partly from recycled plastic. The Column Tank (330 litres, grey, £335.99) is another option with a strong, simple shape. 

Cube tanks for a modern garden 

The Cubus Garden Tank has a concrete grey finish and clean, square lines that suit contemporary paving and planters. It comes in 340, 700 and 1,000 litre sizes, from £266.40, so it also suits gardens that need a lot of water. 

2in1 tanks that double as a planter 

A 2in1 tank has a planting bowl on top, so the water butt carries its own display of flowers or herbs. Options include the Azura 2in1 (230 litres, £247.19), Nordic 2in1 (300 litres, from £249.98), Linus 2in1 (220 litres, £274.80), VASO 2in1 Decor (220 litres, £283.19) and the 2in1 Water Collector (300 litres, mocca or zinc grey, £410.39).

What size decorative water butt do I need? 

Choose the size by how much you water, not only by the space. As a rough guide from our water butt explainer: 

• A small butt of 100 to 150 litres suits a patio garden. 

• A medium butt of 200 to 250 litres suits most gardens. 

• A large butt of 300 litres or more, or several butts, suits heavy users. 

A standard UK domestic water butt holds around 200 litres, which is roughly 20 watering cans. If you water often or have a large garden, look at the bigger slim wall tanks or the Cubus range, or use two or more butts. 

For a figure based on your own garden, the Water Butt Calculator asks how big your watering can is, how many refills a full watering takes, how often you water and how many weeks of water you want to store. It then recommends a capacity in litres. 

Where should I put it? 

Put the water butt by a downpipe, on level ground, ideally in the shade and where the tap is easy to reach. It is worth looking at which parts of your roof collect the most rain and placing the butt there. A raised stand makes the tap easier to use and improves the flow. 

For a narrow side return, a slim wall tank is usually the best fit. In an open patio or border, a free standing amphora, cube or 2in1 tank has room to be seen. 

Which fittings should I look for? 

Check these before you buy: 

• A tap that is easy to reach. Every GRAF decorative water butt comes with a tap, so think about where it will sit and whether a stand would make it easier to fill a watering can. 

• A lockable lid, if you have young children or pets. The Madera, Barrica, Nordic Water Butt and Muro have lockable lids, and they are the only decorative models with lids. The planter cup on a 2in1 is for plants, not a lid. 

• A downpipe diverter that matches your downpipe. The Avanti and Rapido diverters fit round downpipes from 68 to 100 mm across and are recommended for roof areas up to 80 m², and the Rapido Quattro fits square downpipes. 

• A filter, if you would like cleaner water. A downpipe filter does the same job as a diverter and also removes leaves, moss and dirt before the water reaches the tank. 

Most UK downpipes are 65 mm square or 68 mm round, so measure yours first. Our guide to downpipe diverters compares the options, and how to connect a water butt to a downpipe walks through fitting one with a drill and the hole saw supplied.

Is a decorative water butt worth it? 

If the water butt will sit somewhere you see every day, yes. It does the same job as a plain butt while looking like part of the garden. Every litre of rainwater you collect saves a litre of treated mains water, and stored rainwater is still there for watering cans during dry spells. Rainwater is also soft and free of chlorine, which plants like. 

A decorative water butt can also make a practical gift for a keen gardener. GRAF water butts come with a 2 year guarantee and free UK delivery, and prices in this guide include VAT. 

Frequently asked questions 

Do decorative water butts hold less water? 

Not necessarily. The slim wall tanks hold 350 to 510 litres and the Cubus Garden Tank goes up to 1,000 litres. Check the capacity on each product page rather than judging by shape. 

Can I drink the water from a water butt? 

No. GRAF recommends using collected rainwater for gardening purposes only. 

How do I keep a decorative water butt clean? 

Check and clean the water butt and diverter regularly, and clear leaves from your gutters. Our guide to how a water butt works covers the routine. 

Can I have more than one water butt? 

Yes. Using several water butts is a good way to store more rainwater from a larger roof, with one under each downpipe or the wider sections of guttering. 

Find the right water butt for your garden 

Start with the Water Butt Calculator to find the capacity you need, then browse the decorative water butt range to find a style that suits your space.