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DIY Metallic Rope Throw Basket Tutorial

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Would you believe this rope throw basket started out as a dollar store laundry basket? Add some rope, paint, fabric and a glue gun and you can make this stylish rope basket in less than an hour!

I'm obsessed with this DIY Metallic Rope Basket - so perfect to drape throw blankets in!
I created my Metallic Rope Throw Basket in partnership with DecoArt. As always, all opinions and ideas are 100% my own.

UPDATE: Check out how I transformed this basket into a cozy sweater basket!

Reason #642 that I love fall is cuddling up in cozy throw blankets. We really love throw blankets around here. So much so that if you walked into our living room, you might think that there was a herd of kids hiding somewhere underneath what would appear to be a collapsed fort of throw blankets on the couch. Nope, no kids under there… it’s just a menagerie of throws. I try to eliminate the fort look by styling the blankets draped over the corners of the couch, but that doesn’t work so well with the quantity we’re talking about here.

When You Can’t Find it, Make it!

I love the look of a throw blanket draped in a rope basket on the fireplace hearth. As so often seems to be the case when you know exactly what you want, you can’t find it! That was my situation with the throw basket I had envisioned. But you know that isn’t going to stop me, it’s just an excuse for me to make a DIY basket!

I’m loving all things copper and all things jute right now, so I decided to marry them for my blanket basket.  Follow along with me and make your own!

DIY Metallic Rope Throw Basket

Supplies:

"Before" laundry basket

Supplies for metallic throw blanket basket

How to Make a Metallic Rope Basket :

1. With your hot glue gun, attach the felt to the base of the laundry basket, folding and gluing pleats as you go.

DIY Metallic Rope Basket

2. Cut off excess material around the side and glue the seam up to the top of the basket. You don’t want to cut off the felt at the top, you’ll use it later.

DIY Jute Throw Basket

3. Starting at the base of the basket, hot glue the rope and wrap around the entire basket, stopping when the top is tucked just under the lip of the basket.

Easy DIY Jute Basket

Layering rope for a laundry basket makeoverLaundry basket makeover

4. Fold the felt back so that it is hanging outside of the basket. Using a utility knife, cut off the top rim/handles of the laundry basket.

Cut top off of laundry basket with utility knife

5. Tuck the material back into the basket and poof! It’s your basket liner!

DIY Rope Basket Liner

6. Now for best part, the paint! I color block painted the throw basket with a very subtle ombré, starting by adding a small amount of Americana Decor Metallics in Copper to my paint brush by dipping the brush in the jar and wiping off excess.

Americana Decor Copper Metallic Paint

Starting my color block about a quarter of the way down from the top, I dry brushed the copper paint, starting at that point and working my way down to the base of the basket.

Dry brush paint for sheer coverage

After the entire bottom color block was painted in the wash of copper, I went down to the base of the basket to build up the color. I really smooshed (technical term) the paint at the bottom, gradually lightening the smooshing and lessening the amount of paint I used as I worked my way up, creating the subtle ombré.

DIY Metallic Rope Basket

And that’s it, that easy! I really love the contrast in not only color, but in finish and texture as well. This throw basket is exactly what I imagined in my mind, but cost way less than had I actually been able to find it in a store and I had fun creating it. Win and win for the win!

DIY Metallic Jute Basket

This rope basket is screaming to hold a throw (or 4), don’t you think?

Such a beautiful DIY Rope Basket - I love it with the throw blanket and pillow in it.

If you’re a huge fan of copper metallic too then you may love this DIY Copper Globe Terrarium, my DIY Concrete Planter Bookends and this no-sew pillow!

So are you as excited for throw blanket season (a.k.a fall) as I am? Stay cozy friends!

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Comments

  1. Lisa says

    if I did, I’d do exactly what you have done. They are so fun and such a great pop of color against the white walls. And if you get bored, you can just rip it off and start over! Visiting from Redo It Yourself Inspiration party.

    Reply

  2. DIY Crafts says

    What a cool idea, thanks for sharing great idea, I’ll add this in my next to do list. Thanks again 🙂

    Reply

  5. Malisha Mishel says

    How sweet! I have fallen in love with it!!! I’m an avid DIYer and always try to be busy with some new projects. Was searching for a unique idea of making a Rope Throw Basket. Yours made me stop and crazy to do it asap! In a hurry to start. Wish me a good luck Lydi! 🙂

    Reply

  8. SimpleMama says

    I have a question. Does the basket use all 50 feet of the rope or could you do several baskets with the 50 feet?

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi there! I used most of it, I think there was about 2 feet left. Although if you chose smaller baskets you could easily do more than 1 with 50 feet! 🙂

      Reply

  9. Sue says

    What a wonderful idea! Found this on Hometalk and came to your site. I have a bench I’m refinishing for my Coastal bath and wanted to put baskets underneath for laundry. Boy, are rope baskets expensive on-line! This is perfect for the bench!! I’m going to make the inner liner removeable so I can wash it.
    Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Thank you so much Sue, I’m so glad that my project inspired you, that makes my day! That’s the one regret that I have is that I didn’t make the liner removable. I’m going to make a summery version one though so I won’t make that mistake again! 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply

        • Lydia says

          Hi Terry Ann! I had a reader send me a photo of one that she made with a removable liner. She followed the tutorial as is but then attached velcro around the inside top of the basket and velcro on a pretty fabric that she attached as a liner.

          Reply

          • LeeGads says

            Lydia, thanks for response to a removable liner inquiry. Would I use less fabric then since it would not need to cover the entire inside. Apologies if this is an elementary question – I love DIY and a novice at this so uncomfortable with projects that don’t have detail instructions like you’ve provided on the basket.

          • Lydia says

            Hi there, no worries it’s not elementary at all! Yes I think you could get by with a half yard for just doing in inside liner. You will still need something to cover the outside of the basket though to glue the rope to. Even just felt would work for that. I hope that helps and let me know if any other questions come up!

      • Lydia says

        Hello Quiana! I don’t actually make them to sell but I promise that even if DIY isn’t your forte that you could make this! 🙂 Thank you so much for the nice compliment!

        Reply

  11. Emily says

    Hi Lydi! What an adorable basket. I think I’m going to try this. I have a question though. There’s pins on Pinterest going around for a chunky knit blanket like this one…

    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/297870962838647937/

    The yarn that they use is very big. I’m wondering if the yarn would work to make the basket, or if it would be too big?

    I love your basket though, can’t wait to make it. (I wasn’t planning on making it metallic, so that’s why I was thinking of subbing the yarn)

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Emily! Thank you so much!I’ve seen those blankets, they look so cozy! I’d love to try one sometime. I think it may be a little too big of a loop so it would be difficult to get it tightly wrapped. I’d love to see what you end up making though, that is a fun idea!

      Reply

    • Lydia says

      Thanks so much Rita! I’d love to see it when you’re done, I’ve seen so many creative variations on it from readers it’s inspired me to make a dozen more!

      Reply

  16. Genie says

    What an awesome idea. I too am on a copper kick. I have several copper bowls I found at a yard sale and I have decorated with them in my bathroom and living room. Although I have containers for all my throws already, I’m thinking of painting them. I am going to try the rope craft on my plastic laundry basket in my main bath. It stays hidden until laundry day, but when its out its ugly. I’m pumped!

    Reply

  17. Annemarie says

    What a gorgeous basket! Thanks for the tutorial! I came over from Feathered Nest Friday. Would love it if you join my link party too. Best wishes, Annemarie

    Reply

  18. Hannah says

    If anyone is still on here… I was wondering… could this rope technique be used on an old broken basket? I was thinking about rope inside and out instead of the fabric because I will be using it as a dirty clothes basket.

    Reply

      • Hannah says

        When when I thought about it… putting dirty clothes in there… how am I going to clean it? So my new plan is to do the outside and make the fabric inside removable so that it can be washed too. I finally have all my materials and plan on starting the project soon. Thanks for the reply 🤗

        Reply

      • Kat says

        Hello😁I love DIY rope projects like this, but my dilemma is that rope seems to be rather $$$ everyplace I look, which then defeats the purpose of DIY’ing…do you have tips for affordable “rope-shopping”? Thx!
        – Kat

        Reply

  21. Susan says

    What a gorgeous project! I can see myself making these as Christmas gifts next year. I’d love if you’d share it at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party at Organized 31.com

    Reply

  23. Cynthia says

    I would have never guessed that this started out as a Dollar Store basket. I love it and I love the paint also. Great job. I would love it if you would share it at the This Is How We Roll link party. It is live now. Head over to Feeding Big and link up

    Reply

  25. Julie says

    Ooo, I love how you got that ombre effect, I was thinking at first you’d used several different colours of rope. That is just so clever, looks so pretty,

    Reply

  29. Margaret says

    WOW, what a fantastic idea. I already have the rope, just couldn’t decide what to do with it. I’ll be moving into a new home soon, just MIGHT have to make one..
    Thanks for your great instructions and for sharing with us.

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Thanks so much Margaret! That’s perfect! I just love when I have something laying around and find a use for it! Good luck with your move and I’d love to see pictures if you make one! 🙂 Happy holidays!

      Reply

  30. Tatiana Nascimento says

    Bom Dia, não entendo nada no seu idioma, também não sei se você entende o meu.
    Mas eu adorei a ideia e ja fiz aqui na minha casa ficou lindo.
    Eu sou do Brasil.

    Reply

    • Ducelia says

      Oi Tatiana, eu sou brasileira , mas moro no Estados Unidos a 26 anos.Gostei muito qdo li seu post, mesmo sem falar a lingua.Eu tbm adoro decor, e estou preparando pra fazer esse cesto agora.Acredito que Lydia, nao respondeu pelo idioma.Mas ela faz coisas lindas e praticas, continue de olhe nos post dela.Um grande abraço conterrânea. Ducelia.

      Reply

  31. Karen says

    Love this basket! I will be making one soon! I am curious – is there a reason that you didn’t cut off the rim & handles first?

    Reply

  35. Joan says

    I am a bit confused. The directions for the basket lining are not clear to me. Is there a bottom on the lining? The lining is the extra fabric from the outside piece? I appear to be the only one that didn’t get this part, and I feel kind of dumb. lol

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Joan, thanks for reaching out and PLEASE don’t feel dumb! You’re exactly right, the lining is the extra fabric folded in from the outside piece so there isn’t a traditional tailored bottom, it’s just kind of folded in there (which is fine since you don’t see the bottom anyway with the blanket(s) in there. I hope that makes sense? Let me know if I can help any further!

      Reply

      • Karin says

        Oh Joan..so glad you asked that question …I was having trouble with that too…and now that you’ve explained it Lydia…I’m ready to go! Merry Christmas fellow crafters

        Reply

      • Isobel Conradie says

        Just two questions – does that mean that the felt has to be twice the depth of your basket, Lydia – that is to cover the outside of the basket, and when the rope is glued down you use the rest of the felt for the lining? Lastly, did you also glue the felt on the inside at the bottom of the basket?
        Thank you for your reply – I have two of these baskets and would love to tackle them soon!

        Reply

        • Lydia says

          Hi Isobel! The felt doesn’t actually go all the way to the bottom of the basket, the excess is just kind of draped in there. You can’t tell that it doesn’t go all the way since there’s a blanket in it though. 🙂 I had another reader tell me she made a couple as gifts and actually glued the fabric to the inside and outside so that the entire inside of the basket was lined with decorative fabric. She sent me photos and they looked great that way! I hope that answers your question? If not let me know! Thanks for stopping by, I’d love to see it when you’re done! 🙂

          Reply

    • Lydia says

      Thank you so much Beth! I checkout your post – so many great ideas, I can’t wait to try them! Thanks very much for including my basket! 🙂 Happy holidays!

      Reply

  47. jen says

    Hi Lydia,

    these baskets look great! May I how thick is the jute that you used? I was on amazon and saw various thicknesses.

    Appreciate your help..

    Jen

    Reply

  48. Brandy says

    Can you use regular paint? I have some left over from a dresser diy project and wud like to make the basket to match!

    Reply

    • Lydia says

      Hi Brandy! Yes, absolutely! Any type of paint should work as long as it is high in pigment and an opaque finish. I’d love to see your finished project. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  27. […] I love creative DIY rope projects. Rope has such a rustic appeal, so if you are looking for a nice rustic bedroom décor, this DIY laundry basket or hamper will fit in perfectly. You make this one by covering a cheap plastic laundry basket with rope. You can pick up a cheap laundry basket at the Dollar Store for around a dollar or check your local thrift stores. You may be able to get a couple for a dollar and then you just add the rope!Tutorial/Source: lydioutloud […]

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