Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How To Paint Baskets

This marks the third Tuesday in a row that I’m sharing a crafty-ish project (remember I made a little fall wreath two Tuesdays ago, and stenciled a pillow using a metal grate last Tuesday?). So I thought it would be fun to try to do something crafty each week (aiming for every Tuesday, but knowing that some weeks life throws me curve balls like a sick kiddo or a project that doesn’t work out, so it might be a little loosey goosey sometimes) and call it… wait for it… Weekly Crafty.

I’ve always liked sharing small crafty ideas (there’s a whole category devoted to them on our Projects page) and I think it’s a nice way to keep the ol’ brain cells going, especially since we’re in that auto-pilot-ish phase of the new house that feels like wallpaper removal and trim/wall/ceiling painting are never-ending tasks as we wrestle this house from “before” to “blank slate” (which is when all of those more fun/creative decorating decisions finally come into play). I figure some weeks it might just be altering something that I already have around, and other weeks I might grab a few inexpensive supplies. Sometimes it could be homemade art or something to do with fabric or decorative paper, or… well, you get it. It’s a pretty open-ended thing. And this week I decided to have some fun with basket painting.

easy-basket-painting-project

People like Martha Stewart and even companies like One Kings Lane have dipped their toes into the basket-painting pool, and we even spray painted the bottom of some baskets for Clara’s playroom a while back (which she still uses in her bedroom at this house). But this time around, I wanted to do something bolder than giving the bottom of two baskets a white-dipped look. I wanted to play around with some playful colors, and I wanted them to have a homemade hand-painted vibe. So I started with these two basic baskets that my mom brought over during her last visit since she didn’t have a place for them and thought we could use them for toy organization or even just stuff under the sink.

Baskets1

I sifted through all of the paints I already had and came up with these guys as the winners. I decided to do pearly cream (Folk Art’s Metallic Champagne), light tiffany blue (Martha Stewart’s Surf), and a deeper metallic gold color (Dazzling Metallics in Glorious Gold by Deco Art) on one basket, and to use red and pink (Martha’s Geranium and Pink Dahlia) together on the other basket.

Baskets3

The whole family got in on painting time. John and Clara had some fun in her desk by the window with watercolors, and I worked on my basket painting project at the white pedestal table that now inexplicably lives in the middle of our office (remember it used to be our too-small kitchen table?).

Baskets2

About a half-hour later, I had these sweet little painted baskets going on. I went with simple stripes (in different thicknesses) of pearl and blue and goldy-pearl on the basket on the bottom right, and had some fun with the basket on the table by choosing more of a neon palette and little sideways-heart-shaped designs instead of stripes for the midsection. Once they were dry Clara wanted to use them as toy baskets in her room, which so far has worked out really nicely.

Paintedbaskets6

You can see from this detail shot that my painting wasn’t perfect (it definitely got outside “the lines” in a few spots) but woven baskets are sort of imperfect by nature, so it’s no big deal if your paint travels a little bit.

Basketspainted7

Here’s a close up of the blue one for ya. Just going with stripes was a slightly faster process, although I wouldn’t call the red/pink basket rocket science by any means. I didn’t tape either of these off, I just worked by hand, which was a nice zen approach (I really wanted them to have that hand-painted look in the end, and I worried tape would make them a little too crisp).

Paintedbaskets9

So that was the completely free little craft project that I tackled this week thanks to hand-me-down baskets and some leftover craft paint. But if you were to run to HomeGoods for some baskets and Michael’s or JoAnne for the paint I’d guess it could run you about $14 for two baskets and around $10 for five tubes of paint (you might even slip in under $20 if you use 50% off coupons at the craft store).

Paintedbaskets10

What do you guys think? Anyone else itching to do some basket painting? I didn’t spray seal them or anything since my spray painted baskets are still holding up nicely (the woven materials of baskets must be open/porous by nature, since they seem to hang onto paint really well). But I’ll keep you posted if these need a clear coat or two of sealer down the line.

What other craftiness is going on? Any seasonal stuff? Who’s going to town on some pumpkins? Maybe that’ll be next week’s project…

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Comments

  5. Brit [House Updated] says

    Cute! I like the painted stripes. And I totally agree that breaking up big home improvement projects with smaller updates helps keep the juices flowing. I have been doing the same thing and it makes me more motivated for breaking out the power tools!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes! It’s like “I can paint and peel wallpaper and fire up the saw a lot… I just need some craft paint and some ribbons and some glue and some wreath-making to make me feel alive” – haha!

      xo
      s

  6. Manda Wolf says

    I really like the blue one, it is so beach-y! We just got back from a trip to Okaloosa Island FL (near Destin) so I have beach on the brain! As for small craft stuff I need to redo my pumpkin wreath (the first go around I used the wrong glue and pumpkins periodically fall off so I got frustrated and ripped the rest of them off now I need to re-glue) and I have several projects in mind for the sand I brought back from is island (a sand bottle, some jewelry, and down the line maybe even some glass art!).

    Reply

  7. Wendy @ New Moms Talk says

    We’ve got a few fall projects going on with sand, as it’s abundant around here.

    I felt totally guilty texting my hub while he was at the hardware store yesterday, “Can you please swing by the beach and pick up some dry sand? Love!”

    Two months ago we were renting a small house in the high desert. It blows my mind that we now own a house and I’m creating projects around the sand, drift wood, and shells.

    Reply

  8. Brittany D says

    I love the weekly crafty posts! I have a few of the same hyacinth baskets lying around my house. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

    • Susan says

      Another shout out for the pics in this post. I’m not a big crafter but that first shot caught my eye. Your photographs have always been good but these seem like a major step up. I love how you two are always working on the basics–very inspiring! (Not that photography is basic-I just meant that obviously your photog skills have been good enough to make you crazy successful up to this point so it would be an easy thing to just coast with).

    • Jen says

      I second that! I actually thought the first shot was an “inspiration” photo. But then I noticed your rug.

  11. Emily says

    Darling! I especially like the blue one. I did something super easy, yet really cool, this weekend that’s kind of a take-off on your post cards in the hurricane project. I purchased an interesting-shaped hurricane from Target ($8.49) and filled it with ticket stubs that I’ve accumulated throughout our marriage. Was especially fun reminiscing about the various events we’ve attended as I sifted through them.

    Reply

  13. Sarah says

    Sometimes it’s the small crafy projects like this that make you feel the most accomplished! At least for me they do…maybe I’m just easily amused, though… ;)

    Anyways, they really turned out great!

    Viva la Weekly Crafy!

    Reply

  14. Julianne says

    Very sweet! Its a nice idea even for baskets used as wastepaper baskets. Gives me a great idea, since every room has to have one…why not dress ’em up a little?

    Reply

  16. Blaire says

    Love the baskets! Quick question – where did you get Clara’s play table and chairs? I’ve been looking for something with clean lines like that.

    Thanks.

    Reply

  20. rachel says

    my husband is a big runner and is always bringing home race awards… there’s a few cool ones, but most just get tossed or given away. his mother is race director of one race and we have several matching frames in the same size from different years.

    However, the inside showed the race logo and year which wasn’t really our speed. I took some linen and put it over the existing matting and then used spray adhesive to attach picplum instagrams of our “kids”. Fun little project for less than $10!

    Reply

  21. erin says

    does reorganizing the walk in closet and tossing a bazillion towels for goodwill count?! apparently my husband was a towel hoarder, it was kinda ridiculous how many i found that we were storing (no linen closet).

    Reply

  23. Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says

    I really love the blue basket because I’m a daydreamer and have always been partial to the color of the sky. I haven’t been crafty lately, but I was finally able to get Martha curtains from Penneys for 9 bucks a piece and some beautiful sheers for 3 bucks each at goodwill this weekend. Our living room is becoming more comfy with each passing day.

    My best, Lynn

    Reply

  25. Maureen says

    So cute! I have a large square canvas bin that I have been wanting to put in my living room to hold blankets (why such an easy task is taking me so long is beyond me) and I was thinking of adding a stripe or a monogram to it. This little reminder may have been the kick in the pants I needed!

    Reply

    • GreenInOC says

      @Maura, I love the chalkboard paint pumpkin! When I attempt to carve a pumpkin I often end up nearly giving myself an accidental appendectomy instead! This is such a great alternative!!

    • GreenInOC says

      @Maura, me again! Just wanted to let you know that I totally copied your idea and chalkboard painted my pumpkin! Mine doesn’t look as good as yours (I decided to tape over areas to make a face and they bled a bit), but I still love him!! Thanks for the inspiration!

  29. GreenInOC says

    I’m having a hard time deciding which basket I like better!!

    Yesterday I completed a YHL-inspired crafty-type project; well, as crafty as I get!

    I’ve had a mini, counter top metal shopping basket for years. Somewhere along the way the metal had started to corrode. I got some quotes for food safe powder coating it (10″ x 10″ x 7″), thinking it would be a cute fruit basket. Those came back between $45+ to $120+. Ugh, no thanks!

    I decided to spray paint it white and use it for kitchen towels instead. I taped off the handle since it has a cute metal spring over the handle and I figured the paint wouldn’t get in-between very well.

    I gave it a quick wipe-over with my hand. That decision was my first in which I went off YHL-course and things veered into not so good!

    As I was going down the stairs, I thought, “you should probably rinse this off”. I replied, “it’s been sitting on the counter empty for months, for years before that in the garage. You finally decided to take care of it, don’t get distracted – it’s fine”. I countered, “ummmm”. I happily squealed, “get this project going, you’re going to love it”

    So started spray painting and just like bad magic, lots of stray pet hair (I’ve got a dog with fur like she’s part goat and part furry ottoman and a Himalayan cat so loads of fur in my house).

    However, since I’m lazy (obviously) and a bad crafter/DIY-er (duh!), I soldiered on. It came out cute except for the white fuzzy parts which I have been picking off. The positive is you can’t really see it unless you’re face is in it and I figure if you know me well enough to put your face in it you know me well enough to know that I am LAZY!

    Reply

  30. Ellie says

    I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a big basket (maybe with a lid?) for all the throws and blankets in my living room. I think this would be the perfect way to jazz it up! I’m working with grey walls, tan couches, and white coffee tables, so a little color will be awesome :)

    Reply

    • Jess says

      I second Homegoods. My mom got a basket from there that’s big enough for me and my son to sit in. Not that we’ve tried. Ok, we tried and it worked great!

  33. jeanna says

    I noticed some wooden blocks in one of the baskets, my children love playing with blocks. Are this of the continents? or some sort of image?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s one of those wooden puzzles with images on each side of the rectangle so you can make a bunch of different animals (a pink horse on one side, a blue elephant on another side, etc). It’s from the Pottery Barn Outlet when Clara was teeny tiny. She still plays with it!

      xo
      s

  35. Jan says

    Don’t shellac the baskets–you’re right, they’re natural and porous and need to breathe. Every year or so, take them outside, rinse the dust off with a hose, and let them air dry. Helps to keep them from getting brittle. I made a ton of baskets when I was single … it’s quite fun. My crafty projects of late have all been sewing projects for the marching unit: 40-plus flags for the colorguard, and now a giant field prop that has basically taken over my house (we’re talking several hundred yards of fabric).

    Reply

  36. Chrissy Henry says

    I LOVE these crafty projects!! I live in a rental so it is great to see things that I can do without finding a way to adapt it to be removable/temporary. That and crafts are totally my jam :)

    Reply

  38. monika says

    Oh, the picture of John and Clara at the table… priceless. The size difference between the them is so highlighted, with John’s legs folded at such a ridiculously sharp angle… funny and sweet.

    Reply

  40. Tracey Bradshaw says

    Love them – both of my boys need waste paper baskets in their rooms (to hopefully stop the trash ending up on the floor or under their beds). This is a great way to tie them in with the colors in their bedrooms using baskets that I already have.
    Going to try this on the rectangular baskets my 14 year old has for storage in his closet too.

    Reply

  41. Courtney {a thoughtful place} says

    They are so cute. . . such great light in there. I did one for my daughter’s closet office and now feel completely silly as I used spray paint. Well hello, paintbrush. . .nice to meet you. You would make my life much easier! Well, played.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha! Well I used spray paint for the other baskets I did for her playroom in our last house, so maybe we all do the spray paint thing once and then we realize paint brushes would work too!

      xo
      s

  42. Jenny Z says

    I also wanted to compliment that first shot – at first I thought it was a catalog photo for inspiration until I recognized your rug!

    Right now I’m totally awash in Halloween DIY; I’ll be hosting my first proper Halloween party next week, and I’m pinning up a storm! This weekend will hopefully be a craftstravaganza.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks so much Jenny! I’m trying to take my time more with photos and learn how to shoot in manual and all that. I feel like I’m slower than a turtle, so it’s so nice to hear that!

      xo
      s

  44. Lisa R says

    LOVE IT! Just what I needed! I bought this amazing brown basket for my powder room remodel (getting rid of cabinet vanity and putting in a pedestal sink). This basket would likely holder a few rolls of TP and magazines since its quite large. I was worried it will be too plain but I couldn’t pass up the quality and price at Marshall’s. THIS is perfect! I will paint it as the last touch on the remodel so I know what color accent the room needs. (Black walls and white wainscoting, chunky gold mirror, white pedestal sink- yum!) Thank you!!! :) I never thought to paint it!

    Reply

  45. Bex Beltran says

    For some reason, painting on a basket feels so permanent- I would be afraid to mess it up- so I’m impressed (and inspired) that you went with the zen approach. I’m always on the search for quick and easy high impact craft projects. I blogged about turning a clearance dishtowel into some party favor bags- I figured if I messed it up, I was only out 88 cents. Now that I see how well your baskets turned out.. I might be willing to “make a commitment” to something a little more permanent like yours! Thanks for sharing! Great project

    Reply

  47. Johanna P says

    I love those baskets, the nice natural fibers. I’ve had a few around my home and they looked perfect……..for a hot minute untill my cats shredded them while I was at work. Whomp whomp.

    I guess I’ll have to admire yours from afar and perhaps invest in the rustic wooden baskets instead.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Booo! I wonder if they have something in them that smells good to cats and makes them want to go to town? Does anyone know if spraying them with something might deter the whole scratching-post reaction?

      xo
      s

    • Johanna P says

      They love the fibres, I hadn’t even considered that they might be interested in the smell too. I currently have a few of the baskets up un my cupboard storing my out of season clothes (scratch damage hiding like a shamefully flipped cusion of course). If I bring them down I have to be super fast to get it down and back up as it usually only takes them a few minutes to know theres something in the vicinity to be naughty and claw.

      I wonder if someone can chime in if ceder balls work as a deterant or not? I’ve tried some of the anti scratch sprays and they smelt horrid and didnt really work for my mischeif makers.

  48. Hannah says

    I’ve decided to make my Christmas presents this year (for the girls at least, guys can be so tough!). I’ve gotten a few blankets made and found some old photographs from my parents wedding for a scrapbook. Only a few more gifts to make!

    Reply

  49. Rainey says

    So creative Ms. Crafty! I never would have thought to paint those baskets:)

    Have you provided sourcing for those fabulous polka-dot curtains somewhere and I missed it? If not, could you let me know?

    Thanks and belated happy baby on the way!
    Rainey

    Reply

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