Did you know that whiskey barrels are great for making furniture? They're sturdy, easy to work with, and give your home a rustic look that can't be replicated with anything else. Whiskey barrels are usually inexpensive, too! You can use its materials to make just about anything—tables, coffee tables, bars, stools, chairs, coolers, even dog beds... the list is endless! But, before you start cutting into your new project or searching online, let's talk about how best to use these staves once they're in your possession.
Depending on the type of wood you use, it will have an effect on how the finished product will look. The type of grain, color, and texture will all play a role in how your whiskey barrel furniture turns out. For example, oak is a popular choice for furniture because it's strong and durable. However, it can also have very distinctive grain patterns that may not be desirable for certain styles or applications. If you're looking to create something more rustic with an aged look, then oak might be your best option. If you want something cleaner with less visible grains, then maple might be better suited for your needs!
Now let’s talk about the anatomy of a barrel. The staves are the strips of wood that make up the inside of a whiskey barrel. They're held together by metal hoops. The staves have a grain running from top to bottom. as opposed to side-to-side. You'll want to cut your wood so that it matches this pattern when you assemble it into one long piece. The heads are at the end of each stave, that meet at each corner of the barrel. These are often removed during construction, but you can preserve them and use them as part of your design if you want to give your furniture a more rustic look. Lastly, the end grain refers to the part of the wood that's not between two rings. You'll want to look for a barrel with a thick end grain, as this is more stable than having an end grain that's thinner or has more knots in it.
If you're going to use a real whiskey barrel and turn it into furniture, make sure it's been properly stored. The best place for aging barrels is in cool, dry places--not outside where they can get wet or hot.
If you want your furniture to look like new, then consider repurposing an old used barrel instead of buying one new from a store.
As you can see, making your own whiskey barrel furniture is a fun and rewarding project! That’s why we turned our years of experience with Patrick Daigle Hardwood Flooring and love of bourbon libations into our new hobby of making furniture! If you have any questions about anything we covered today, please feel free to reach out to Wood & Barrel at 860.643.9191. Or, if you don’t want to DIY yourself, let’s have a conversation about making a custom whiskey barrel piece for your home. The experts have you covered!
From our family to yours,
-The Daigle Family
Wood & Barrel
54 Hilliard Street, Manchester, Connecticut 06040
Phone: 860.643.9191
Website: woodandbarrel.co