Create this DIY Ice Melt Bucket to turn a necessity into a decorative accent for your porch.
Hello, friends! I hope you’re having a great January and keeping warm! We got our first major snow last week and my husband was asking for the ice melt bucket after he shoveled the driveway and sidewalk. I created this decorative DIY Ice Melt Bucket last year for the Darice blog and it’s one of my favorite decorative, utilitarian crafts.
It takes only minutes to make and will decorate your porch during the cold, winter months when it might seem so bare otherwise without any seasonal decor!
DIY Ice Melt Bucket
Supplies
- Double metal bucket
- Snowflake stencil
- Americana Decor Outdoor Living paint in Picket Fence
- Stencil sponge
- Stencil tape or masking tape or spray adhesive

Cut out the snowflake stencils that you will be using and secure them to the metal bucket with stencil or masking tape or attach with spray adhesive. You can also create your own snowflake stencils with a cutting machine if you’d like. I love making stencils with my Cricut machine!

Tap the stencil sponge into white outdoor paint and tap off the excess onto a paper plate or napkin. You don’t want to use a saturated sponge when stenciling or the paint will bleed underneath the stencil and will leave your snowflakes with blurred edges.
Repeat with various sized snowflakes on both sides of the bucket.
How is that for easy? That’s my kind of craft!

Fill your ice melt bucket up with ice-melt (or cat litter works in a pinch), toss in a scoop or mug and you’ll be ready to keep your driveway and sidewalk clear and safe.
This bucket would make a beautiful planter come spring-time as well… just flip it around and stencil on some pretty spring designs on the back and add your favorite flowers!
Thanks for stopping by and stay warm, friends!
Sally Mae says
That is absolutely adorable!! And useful!!
Thanks so much for the inspiration!!
Lydia says
Thanks so much Sally Mae, I’m so glad you like it!