Before you throw away that old ice chest, check out this awesome DIY rustic cooler made by Brooke Norsworthy of Killer B. Design.
What started as a busted up and broken ice chest was transformed in to a beautiful piece of antique looking furniture. Stand up ice chests such as these can easily retail for $100 or possibly much more.
Here is the before:
and the after:
Below is the list of supplies you will need to complete the project. The total cost is less than $30.
Supplies:
• Barn wood (try to score some for free on Freecycle or Craigslist, look for piles of lumber on the side of the road, rescue pallets, or ask someone who is replacing fencing. If you can’t find it free, or just like the new look, buy cedar fence pickets)
• 5: 2×2’s @ 8 feet long
• 1: 1×4 @ 8 feet long
• Old cooler (again, CL and Freecycle are good bets, or you can buy new, or choose to line your cooler with insulated foam. There are also very affordable styrofoam coolers that could work for this project)
• 2 1/2 inch screws
• 2 inch nails
• 3/4 inch pipe coupling
• 3/4 inch spigot
• handle (we used an antler shed, go on and get creative for your lid handles too!)
• Side handles (optional)
• Bottle Opener (optional)
• Iron Decor (optional)
It starts with a simple frame.
Then you add the rustic siding.
Some fancy trim.
Add a lid.
And there you have it, your very own antique looking ice chest.
For step by step detailed instructions, click the following link: