Stock Tank Style: Galvanized Tubs and Troughs Find a Home Indoors
Galvanized-metal farm troughs turn up around the house as furniture, storage bins, sinks and tubs for people and pets
Livestock water and feed troughs have gravitated from farms to city roofs. Now galvanized-metal stock tanks — and the zinc-plated material in general — are crossing the threshold to bring down-home style to interiors in a variety of uses. Look for the tanks at agricultural supply stores.
Related: Stock Tank Style: The Garden and Patio Edition
Related: Stock Tank Style: The Garden and Patio Edition
Bathtub. The extensive use of reclaimed and salvaged materials in this Rocky Mountain cabin remodel includes a stock tank repurposed as a soaking tub with a custom wood backrest.
Galvanized metal also shows up in the surround for the tub-shower combo.
See 7 scene-stealing metal bathtubs
Galvanized metal also shows up in the surround for the tub-shower combo.
See 7 scene-stealing metal bathtubs
Bathroom sink. A whole-hog makeover of a bathroom in a 1940s Texas bungalow carries a cowgirl theme that steers clear of kitsch. The sink is a galvanized-metal bucket purchased at a local feed store for $9. Preparation for its new use involved hammering the bottom into a gentle slope to ensure that water wouldn’t pool and cutting a hole for a standard drain and pipe.
The wood countertop, made from an old coffee table, needed sanding to allow for the sink’s slope. Sealing around the base of the sink inside and out keeps it in place and prevents leaks.
The faucet and soap dispenser get a lift from a custom box that curves around the sink. Tooled leather-look vinyl under the faucet withstands the wet environment. Alternatively, you could use a wall-mounted faucet.
The original cabinets got a light distressing and bucket pulls to echo the sink’s finish. The custom toilet seat is made of hand-tooled leather embellished with nailheads for more Western flair.
The wood countertop, made from an old coffee table, needed sanding to allow for the sink’s slope. Sealing around the base of the sink inside and out keeps it in place and prevents leaks.
The faucet and soap dispenser get a lift from a custom box that curves around the sink. Tooled leather-look vinyl under the faucet withstands the wet environment. Alternatively, you could use a wall-mounted faucet.
The original cabinets got a light distressing and bucket pulls to echo the sink’s finish. The custom toilet seat is made of hand-tooled leather embellished with nailheads for more Western flair.
Towel wrangler. Another galvanized-metal container corrals guest towels in the same bathroom.
Just visible on the wall above, an old farmhouse window is repurposed as wall art, with tooled-leather matting and vintage cowgirl pictures behind each pane.
Just visible on the wall above, an old farmhouse window is repurposed as wall art, with tooled-leather matting and vintage cowgirl pictures behind each pane.
Houseplant stand or cachepot. In this mountain retreat, a galvanized-metal container in a corner by the bathtub raises a houseplant closer to the window. Turn the container over and it works to catch drips from and conceal a less decorative plant pot with drainage holes.
Ashen Tan wall paint: Benjamin Moore
Ashen Tan wall paint: Benjamin Moore
Photo by VJ Arizpe
Utility sink. A galvanized-metal bucket fitted with a drain forms the sink in this laundry room. The counters — galvanized sheet metal over plywood — pick up the look.
Carmella pull-down faucet: Luxart
Utility sink. A galvanized-metal bucket fitted with a drain forms the sink in this laundry room. The counters — galvanized sheet metal over plywood — pick up the look.
Carmella pull-down faucet: Luxart
Dog-washing station. A stock tank resting on an open shelf above cabinets makes a handy dog-washing station. Displayed front and center, it reflects the farm-like vibe and utility of the home’s shed roof and cost-effective materials.
Stock tank: Hutchinson; see more metal tubs
Stock tank: Hutchinson; see more metal tubs
Photo by Matt McCorteney
This stock tank, fitted with a round shower drain, is more subtly recessed in a custom cypress stand. A flip-down step allows dogs to hop in the wash basin for their baths. Cabinets hold their food and supplies.
The tank’s galvanized metal repeats on the cabinet doors, which were mildly acid-washed for a nice patina. The concrete countertop and floor stand up to dogs’ toenails.
Backsplash tile: Heath Ceramics; wall finish: Loma, American Clay; custom cabinetry: Josh Wynne Construction
This stock tank, fitted with a round shower drain, is more subtly recessed in a custom cypress stand. A flip-down step allows dogs to hop in the wash basin for their baths. Cabinets hold their food and supplies.
The tank’s galvanized metal repeats on the cabinet doors, which were mildly acid-washed for a nice patina. The concrete countertop and floor stand up to dogs’ toenails.
Backsplash tile: Heath Ceramics; wall finish: Loma, American Clay; custom cabinetry: Josh Wynne Construction
Photo by Steve Keating
Coffee table. This rolling coffee table by Jennifer Randall & Associates Design pairs a Verde Fuoco granite top and a stock-tank base. The new house, on a ridge overlooking Washington’s Methow Valley, uses many recycled and sustainable materials and products.
Or simply flip a stock tank upside down and, ta-da, you have a table that works nicely on a country porch.
Coffee table. This rolling coffee table by Jennifer Randall & Associates Design pairs a Verde Fuoco granite top and a stock-tank base. The new house, on a ridge overlooking Washington’s Methow Valley, uses many recycled and sustainable materials and products.
Or simply flip a stock tank upside down and, ta-da, you have a table that works nicely on a country porch.
Photo from Finney Excavation
Bench. Mike Finney of Finney Excavation turns stock tanks into custom benches with a cedar backrest and seat. The cedar armrests lift to access storage underneath.
Bench. Mike Finney of Finney Excavation turns stock tanks into custom benches with a cedar backrest and seat. The cedar armrests lift to access storage underneath.
Toy bin. Galvanized-metal tubs fit right in with the industrial wire shelving, steel bunk bed and locker room-style flooring in this hard-wearing children’s room.
Your turn: How do you use stock tanks or galvanized-metal tubs indoors? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
Discover a bevy of outdoor uses for stock tanks
Turn a trough into a DIY water garden
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Your turn: How do you use stock tanks or galvanized-metal tubs indoors? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
Discover a bevy of outdoor uses for stock tanks
Turn a trough into a DIY water garden
Browse rustic metal furniture
The 4-foot-wide tank sits on a sloped mortar bed and has a 4-inch hole in the bottom. Water drains through a Schluter Systems Ditra-Drain, a passive capillary bonded drainage system for tile and natural-stone coverings. The shower rod follows the curve of the tank.
Stock tank: Behlen Country