August 28, 2022

DIY Umbrella Stand

The umbrella bases out there are well... 💩. They are big, bulky, and ugly, although necessary. 

A Cantilever umbrella is a great choice for limited space, but the base was massive and limited where we could put things. So I decided to get creative, build my own, and share it with you.

What I used:

• 10ft Cantilever Umbrella
• 5 Gallon buckets (2)
• 50lb bag of concrete (1)
• 20(ish) gallons of sand

First, we'll need to disconnect the base pole the umbrella sits in. Initially, I tried using PVC, but the offset weight was too much.

Next, take some saran wrap and wrap this pole a few times. Place it inside the bucket, centered, and cover the base of the bucket with additional saran wrap. This was done in case I ever need to pull the pole out to use it in the standard base down the road. 

Now using the other bucket, let's get started mixing the cement. Pour a small amount, add water, mix, and repeat. Pour the cement into the bucket with the pole and let it sit overnight. 

Wake up before it gets too hot, and peel off any visible saran wrap. Set the bucket in the pot and fill it with sand. I left a few inches at the top, filling it with potting soil and a few succulents.

And that's it. Set the umbrella in and grab yourself a beer, you've earned it.