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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Rita says
What a cool idea and so thrifty and useful too! Thank you for the tutorial. Now I have to go try it!
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!
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!
Lydia says
Yay I’m so glad you’re going to make one! I’d love to see a picture when you’re done! 🙂
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
Lydia says
Thank you so much Annemarie! I hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
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.
Lydia says
Hi Hannah! Absolutely! That would be a great way to salvage an old broken basket! I’d love to see it when you’re done! 🙂
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 🤗
Lydia says
That’s a fabulous idea! I’m going to do that for my next one!
Jane @SustainMyCraftHabit says
Such a beautiful DIY. Love the touch of copper! So glad I found this at the #HomeMattersParty. Pinned for later!
Lydia says
Thanks so much Jane!
Beverly says
What a great idea. Love the copper color, great choice.
Bev
Lydia says
Thank you so much Beverly! I’m on a major copper kick and don’t want it to end! 🙂
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
Lydia says
Hi Kat! I’ve been able to find it cheap at Hobby Lobby and with a 40% off coupon it is quite a deal!
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
Lydia says
Thank you so much Susan! I plan to do the same next Christmas! 🙂
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
Love this project. Definitely pinning for later. Thanks for sharing.
Lydia says
Thank you so much Donna!
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
Lydia says
Thanks so much Cynthia, the dollar store is my fav spot for inspiration! 😉
MEDINA GRILLO says
seriously love this idea – I’ve seen it so many times on pinterest 🙂 Well done
Lydia says
Thank you so much Medina! It was seriously easy to make!
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,
Lydia says
Thanks so much Julie! It turned out to be kind of an impromptu decision and worked pretty well! 😉
Wendy says
What a great idea. And it looks so chic!
Lydia says
Thank you so much Wendy!
Deb says
Wonderful Idea! How much felt did you use, 1/2 yard, 1 yard??
Thanks!!
Lydia says
Thanks so much Deb! I used 1 yard of felt.
Vicki says
Wow! Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.
Lydia says
Thanks so much Vicki!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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?
Lydia says
Thanks so much Karen! I’d love to see yours! Funny you ask that, I have no reason other than I didn’t think to do it before hand. 🙂
Brenda Brooks says
I would imagine that it gave the basket some stability as you worked since you were working from the bottom up.
Lydia says
That it did Brenda!
Roberta says
So fun! I am sharing this to Pinterest.
Lydia says
Thank you so much Roberta! Happy Holidays! 🙂
Emily says
I need one of these baskets in my life! So gorgeous, and so easy, too 🙂
Lydia says
Thanks Emily! Yes it was soooo easy!
Kassie says
What an wonderful idea, and it looks GREAT!! I am obsessed with blankets so this is 100% up my alley! I can’t wait to try it!
Lydia says
Thank you so much Kassie! And hurray for another blanket hoarder! 😉 Let me know how it turns out, I’d love to see it! 🙂