There’s something weirdly satisfying about giving old things new life—especially when it’s done on a budget. One of my favourite spots to makeover in the yard is the garden sink area. Whether you’re rinsing veggies, washing little muddy hands, or just need a space to pot your plants, having an outdoor wash station is a total game changer.
And the best bit? You don’t need to buy anything fancy. With a little creativity (and maybe a scroll through your local classifieds), you can turn an old sink, tub, or vintage washstand into something utterly charming. Here are five easy, affordable DIY ideas to create a backyard sink space the whole family will love.
1. The Galvanized Washtub Garden Sink
If you’ve ever spotted a round or oval galvanized wash tub at a market and thought, “What would I do with that?”—this is it. These tubs are deep, sturdy, and surprisingly versatile. Stack a few concrete blocks or bricks to lift the tub to counter height and place it beside your veggie beds or near the patio.
You can either drill a small hole and attach a drainage pipe into a gravel pit or keep it simple and let the water drain into a watering can underneath. Hook up a hose or let the kids fill it with buckets—it works either way.
We placed ours near the kids’ mud kitchen, and it’s honestly the best thing we’ve added to the garden in years.
2. Antique Dry Sink Makeover
An old dry sink might sound like something out of your nan’s attic, but it’s actually the perfect starting point for a rustic outdoor sink station. These were originally used indoors for pitchers and basins before indoor plumbing was a thing—but with a few tweaks, they shine outside too.
Strip the wood back, paint or stain it to suit your garden palette, and add a ceramic bowl or metal basin where the old one would’ve gone. We keep ours under the pergola, right by the herb garden. It’s a dream for prepping freshly picked basil and cherry tomatoes before they come into the kitchen.
The dry sink also doubles as storage for trowels, twine, and seed packets. Practical and pretty? That’s my love language.
3. The Old Bathtub Rinse and Play Station
This one’s a little more wild but stay with me. If you’ve got an old bathtub gathering dust—or know someone trying to get rid of one—you can turn it into a whimsical wash-up and play station.
We nestled ours at the back of the garden near the fence, popped it on a base of gravel and bricks, and now it serves three functions: wash station, water play, and occasional dog bath.
You can use the faucet if it’s functional, or simply fill it with the hose. I added a wooden plank across one side that works as a potting bench. Sometimes it holds a tray of seedlings, sometimes it holds my iced coffee while I wrangle the kids.
Bonus: it looks so charming surrounded by sunflowers and mint plants.
4. Vintage Wash Stand Kids’ Sink
If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll want their own version of whatever you’re building. An old vintage washstand or even a side table can be turned into a mini outdoor sink for play or small gardening jobs.
Just weatherproof the wood, add a shallow basin or old salad bowl, and set it up with a watering can or small hose nearby. We created one with a painted floral washbasin, a little stool beside it, and a hook for hand towels. It’s tucked beside the sandbox and gets used daily for messy hands and “cooking” mud soup.
Add a few potted herbs around it and suddenly it feels like part of the garden, not just a kids’ toy.
5. Classic Cinder Block Sink with Farmhouse Flair
If you’re after the easiest, most adaptable solution—go for the classic cinder block setup. Stack blocks to the height you want, place an old metal or ceramic sink on top, and tuck a bucket underneath for drainage.
We added hooks to one side for hanging gloves and brushes, a salvaged wood shelf above it for flower pots, and some trailing plants along the back. It’s simple, sturdy, and ridiculously photogenic. Like something you’d see on a rustic garden Pinterest board—but real life and useful.
We use ours for everything from rinsing vegetables to filling watering cans. And when it gets grubby? Just hose the whole thing down.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of outdoor sinks made from old materials is that they’re a little imperfect. A little wobbly. A little rustic. But that’s exactly what makes them special.
Whether it’s a vintage wash tub or a forgotten bathtub, these projects invite creativity, play, and practicality into your garden space. Plus, they’re wonderful family weekend projects—especially if you let the kids help paint, plant, or decorate around them.
So if you’ve got an old sink sitting in the garage (or spot one on the side of the road)… don’t walk past it. Grab it, drag it into the yard, and turn it into something beautiful.
Your garden—and your muddy hands—will thank you.