Maude, mine is set up by the garage, too. (No sense creating drainage problems with the house while solving other problems, right? :o) )

I was surprised at how easy it was to do and how just a tiny amount of rain fills the barrell! I use plastic garbage cans with covers. One thing I haven't figured out yet though... how to blend them into the surroundings.

I got my rain barrel off of Ebay (what cant you find on Ebay!) hehe! Its a plastic pickle barrel!
Its terra cotta in color, and is around 30 gallons, I think.
I also have a screen over the top to prevent mosquitos. I have a tap on the bottom, and then have a drip line connected to that for my shade garden. I have it sitting up on blocks so the gravity will help with the water.
It only cost me $20 and looks nice, since its the terra cotta color.
I am going to look for a smaller one for the front of the house. Hopefully I can find one that looks as good as this one......

MonaRae

Marilou, I would spray paint the barrel with a color of Krylon Fusion that you like. Krylon Fusion is designed to spray paint plastic and it works great!! Krylon Fusion is available at Menard's and other home improvement stores.

Rhoda