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 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:
- Round laundry basket (I got this one at the dollar store… it was .96 cents… ?)
- 1 jar Americana Decor Metallics in Copper (If you need me later, you can find me splashing this color on everything in my house. Obsessed.)
- About 50 feet of ½” Jute rope
- 1 yard felt, fleece or muslin
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Utility knife
- Paint brush
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.
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.
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.
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.
5. Tuck the material back into the basket and poof! It’s your 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.
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.
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.
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!
This rope basket is screaming to hold a throw (or 4), don’t you think?
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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Pippy says
Can you make me two please?! These are incredible!
Lydia says
Aw thank you Pippy!
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.
Lydia says
Thanks so much Lisa!
DIY Crafts says
What a cool idea, thanks for sharing great idea, I’ll add this in my next to do list. Thanks again 🙂
Lydia says
Thanks so much! I’d love to see your finished basket! 🙂
Julie Briones says
Such a lovely and smart makeover! Love the copper color you used! We would love to have you link-up on Tuesdays at Homestyle Gathering!
Lydia says
Thank you so much Julie!
Bobbie Johnson says
I love this so much, the finished product looks amazing! I have featured this on my holiday DIY gift roundup. You can see it here. https://adollarearned.com/quick-easy-diy-christmas-gifts-family-will-love/ Feel free to share!
Lydia says
Thanks so much for and for including it in your holiday gift roundup!
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! 🙂
Lydia says
Thanks so much Malisha, that is so sweet of you! Good luck, I’d love to see it when you’re done! Have fun! 🙂
Lisa says
Awesome Idea!! Thank u for sharing.
Lydia says
Thanks so much Lisa! xo
Susan says
This is so awesome I love it.susan
Lydia says
Thank you so much Susan, that is so sweet of you! 🙂
Alexis says
Question I have a basket like this but it’s rectangler would this still work?
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?
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! 🙂
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!!
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!
Terry Ann says
How would you complete this project making the liner removable?
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.
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!
Tammy says
While adding the rope, I would like to have 2 rope handles. Any suggestions?
Lydia says
Hmmm that’s a good question Tammy, I’m sorry that I’m not quite sure how you would do that. It’s a great idea though! Please check back and let me know what you come up with! 🙂
Iliahi says
You could make flat strap handles from the same woven fabris as the basket liner
Lydia says
That’s a great idea, thanks! 🙂
Kelley says
It a rope handle, but I cut up an old leather belt that was falling apart. Glued it between the rope and liner. Worked beautifully to make nice leather handles.
Lydia says
Love that idea! Thanks so much Kelley, I’d love to see it! 🙂
Quiana L Pope says
Hi!!
Do you make these to sell? I would love to have one but diy is not my forte!!
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!
Kathy says
This is a fabulous basket! About how much muslin did you use for the lining (# of yds)?
Lydia says
Thanks Kathy! I used 1 yard.
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!
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!
Sara says
Wonderful👍🏻
Lydia says
Why thank you very much Sara! 🙂
Dana Byerwalter says
Thank you so much for this lovely tutorial! I’ve linked out to you from the FaveCrafts Blog: https://www.favecrafts.com/blog/fc/new-diy-storage-solutions/ Have a great day!
Lydia says
Thanks so much, I really appreciate that! 🙂
Brittany Roraff says
Do you think drop cloth would work just as well?
Lydia says
Hi Brittany! Yes that would work just fine!