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Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Simple DIY tutorials and thrifty furniture and decor makeovers

Four Thrifty Basket Makeovers

Hello sweet friends! I’ve got not one, but FOUR brand new thrifty basket makeovers coming to you today!

I rounded up all the baskets in this haul and decided to make them all over to share in one post.

I thought there were only four, but after looking back at the collage of all the pieces while writing this post, I realized there are actually five. Oopsie! I’ll share that last one in a future smalls post.

These are the four lucky baskets getting their big makeovers today:

As you can see, I paid around $7 for the lot. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.

I will warn you that all of these baskets are painted white. It’s no secret that I love a white painted basket. Okay, I like a white-painted anything lol.

However, it’s not just about the paint color. I’ll be sharing how you can embellish a simple basket as well!

Thrifty Basket Makeover #1

The first basket is this small one I picked up at the thrift store for $2.25:

I bought it because I thought it was a good deal rather than a pretty basket. It is also very sturdy and well-made.

I started this basket makeover like I do most of my baskets, with a quick coat of Rustoleum Spray Primer:

small spray tent

I used my small spray shelter as well as a large Lazy Susan that is fantastic for spray painting smaller items. Some of you may remember my hubby throwing away my old Lazy Susan that I had found at the thrift store for only $2 many years ago. He thought it was in the trash pile! I ended up getting a bigger and better one since he was paying for it. (Definitely not for $2 though!)

Also, you can see that I like to start spraying with a basket upside down first. Then I flip it over and spray it right side up.

I followed up the spray primer with a coat of Cotton using my Best Dang Brush:

Best Dang Brush for painting baskets

This brush is primarily a wax brush, but it is fantastic at painting anything with a lot of details like these baskets! The bristles really get into all those crannies so well!

Next, I used the cheat method of distressing using my distressing block to add a little character:

distressing block

You can see more on how I do that in this quick video:

If you have any trouble viewing, you can see it on YouTube HERE.

This once boring basket is now a one-of-a-kind cutie!

white painted basket

Right?
white painted basket

It needed something more once I was done painting, so I decided to finish it off with a little sign. I made it from the leftover poplar strips that I used to create the board and batten in the boys’ bathroom.

All it needed was a mini transfer…

I used bits of two different mini transfers on this sign. These are from a set of mini transfers called Classic Vintage Labels by Re-designed by Prima, and you can find them in my shop HERE.

Again, I used the cheat method and my layering block to faux distress this little piece as well:

I drilled a small hole in each upper corner and attached it with craft wire:

white painted basket

See more details on how I attach these smalls signs HERE.

The tag is such a small addition, but really added personality to this basket…

white painted basket

 

white basket

Thrifty Basket Makeover #2

Basket #2 was a lucky $1 yard sale find:

I loved the shape of it!

I painted this basket the same as the first one, starting with a coat of Rustoleum Spray Primer, followed by a coat of Cotton:

painting baskets

I know I could just spray paint and call it a day, which I sometimes do and would certainly be easier, but I love the texture chalk paint gives these baskets. I only spray prime to get a quick coat of paint on there.

This one got a little bit different kind of embellishment…

This is a resin piece I made from a decor mould and Amazing Casting Resin:

Bread Basket

You can see how easy they are to make HERE.

I used my drill to make tiny holes that I could thread wire through to secure it in place.

How cute is this for bread at the dinner table?

Or for really fancy hamburger buns, because that’s what’s in there ha ha!

Hey, it’s all I had! Super fancy!

Bread basket

Thrifty Basket Makeover #3

This next basket was also only a dollar from another yard sale:

I loved the price more than the basket, and it was really sturdy!

Like the others, this one too started out with a coat of Rustoleum Spray Primer. I gave it two coats for solid coverage since the weave on this one was super tight.

Then I taped off stripes using FrogTape and sprayed those in this beautiful Robin’s Egg Blue:

Striped basket

I pulled the tape off as soon as I hit it with the second coat of spray.

Ya’ll know I love stripes because they are so perfect in coastal decor!

add stripes to a basket

As you can see, I decided to create a tag for this one out of the leftover poplar strips also. I used my miter saw to cut the corners.

add stripes to a basket

I gave it a coat of primer, followed by a coat of the blue. Then I used stencils to add the number 3 to it:

basket tag

I sanded it to distress it and let the white come through. There ended up being too much space between the two stencils once I removed them, so I added a row of dots with my stylus!

DIY Basket tag

I love that oopsie addition!

The key got a couple of coats of Cotton. It came from a set of spooky keys I found on clearance after Halloween one year.Striped Basket

Thrifty Basket Makeover #4

And last but not least is the most expensive of the bunch at $3.25:

I nabbed this one up real quick when I spied it at the thrift store!

I decided not to paint this one completely and let some of that dark brown peek through, so I just dry-brushed it, using Fluff this time:

Dry brushed basket

I used a regular brush to do that, dipping my brush in the paint and then dabbing it off on a paper towel before taking it to the basket.

Dry brushed basket

You can see the finish up close here…

how to dry brush a basket

This is SO easy to do, and I love this look for darker baskets!

I think what makes this basket  unique though is the addition of the little sign.

This also came from those poplar strips! I found them at Home Depot and they are perfect for making these signs.

This one got a combination of two different mini transfers (find them HERE) also:

And I attached it the same way using craft wire.

Basket Sign

It adds so much charm!

This one might be my favorite!

how to dry brush a basket

Do you have a favorite?

Thrifty Basket Makeovers

They might all be painted it white, but the embellishments make them unique!

I hoped y’all enjoyed seeing these baskets come to life today!

I’ll be back on Thursday with our finished pantry yay!!

UPDATE: No need to come back…check out our new and improved pantry HERE now!

XOXO,

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Comments

  1. Awe, they are all so beautiful now. My favorite is all of them!! LOL! You had me at white, and then to add those sweet embellishments, my heart is all a flutter over here. They all went in as ugly ducklings, but are beautiful swans now! Swans are white and beautiful, and so are your lucky baskets! I remember when your hubby threw away your turn table, bad hubby for throwing it away, good hubby for replacing it! LOL

    • Ha ha thank you so much, my friend! I just love a white basket and couldn’t resist painting them ALL white lol! And yes, my hubby always ask first now…but I did get a larger turn table out of it yay! Have a fantastic day! XOXO

  2. Always love your basket makeovers, Christy! These are all just lovely! Motivates me to freshen up a few of my own. I think the one with stripes is my fave of this group.
    Thanks for all the great ideas!
    Cheryl

    • Thank you, Cheryl! It’s amazing what paint can do for an old basket! The stripe one is fun! XOXO

  3. I like #2&3!! Hey, did you know that your BIG hutch from last week (?) was on Google? It was near the top!! How ’bout that!! I was soooo excited for you.. 🙃🥳🎉!!!

    • Thank you so much, Denise! I appreciate you letting my know about my hutch being on Google…it is very exciting!! XOXO

  4. Love these baskets, my favorite is the striped one! The embellishments really make the baskets extra special! Have a great day Christy!

    • Thank you, Maryellen! The striped one was quick and easy to do since it was all spray paint! Enjoy your day too, my friend! XOXO

  5. Christy, I love the white also. And the stripes. I also really like that you left the last basket dark underneath. You are still my inspiration and I look forward to seeing your post in my email every Tuesday and Thursday! Thanx again.

  6. Now for my favorite; it’s hard to say because I love them all. Maybe it’s the bread basket with the resin decal. Well maybe it’s the blue and white striped one. All are lovely.

    • Ha ha thank you, Janice! You most certainly can love them all! The striped one seems to be a favorite! XOXO

  8. Love these! When you attach the poplar strip/mini tag, are those small screws on the outside? Then loop the wire around the ends on the inside of the basket? Thanks for all these great ideas!

  9. I bow to the “Basket Queen”! Each one is cuter than the next…nice work!

  10. Christy, I love them all but the striped one is my fav. 🙂 I love the added dots on the tag, that was brilliant! You know I also love white but the stripes are just the right color and really add charm!
    I’m surprised Lyla didn’t jump in one or more of them! 🙂
    Have a great rest of the week. I’m looking forward to seeing your pantry!

    • Thank you, Christina! That one seems to be a favorite! And I’m sure if she saw me taking my photos, she would have lol! XOXO

  11. It’s all in the details! Christy, these are great! My favorite is the aqua striped one ;). Have a good week and keep hydrated in this scorching weather! XOXO

  12. Those turned out so cute! I love a good basket for “homeless” things.

  13. Ok. Hello! Those basket poplar signs are adorable. I’m going to steal that idea. 🥰

  14. These are so cute!
    Do you have a picture or tutorial of exactly how you attached the little signs? The front looks so nice and neat.
    Thank-you,
    Debbie

  15. I love your baskets makeover, especially the little round one with the tag! I don’t have any poplar strips hanging around lol, what could I get to use for the tag itself? I’m a rookie, so this seems hard to me! Thanks!

    • Thank you, Patti! You can also find unfinished wood pieces at Michaels and Hobby Lobby! XOXO

  17. Wow, Christy, they’re all so cute!
    I don’t have DB Coffee Bean (yet), but I do have a bottle of brown acrylic paint. My first attempt with my distressing block and the acrylic paint was a disaster lol. But I’ll try again.
    Love the baskets!
    And I do love those silver candlesticks!

    • Thank you so much, Betty! The acrylic paint should work. Make sure there is hardly any paint on your block, and if you don’t like how it looks, quickly take a damp paper towel and wipe the paint back off and try again. Yes, the taller of the two is the Pier One candlestick. The mate to it broke, so I have another as a stand-in. I think I found that one at TJ Maxx! XOXO

  19. Wow! What a difference some paint and beautiful signage can make to an everyday basket! Sometimes, I get so excited after seeing what you have transformed, I want to redo my whole house 🙂 Thank you, once again, Christy, for inspiring us to see the potential beauty in everyday things. 🙂

    • Aww thank you, Mary! I LOVE that you get excited…feeling inspired is the best!! XOXO

  20. Hi Christy. I have a beautiful, unusual basket I’ve had for a long time. Wondering if I could send pics for your help in what to do with it?
    Thanks,
    Lisa

  22. I’m not a big basket person, but I love these! What you’ve done with them is inspiring. Really great work.

  23. I want to live next door to you😄……you truly inspire me! Thanks for all your posts.
    Debi

    • Aww I love that, Debi! Thank you!! My neighbor could care less what I’m up to out there ha ha! XOXO

  24. Oh my gosh! I love, love them all. You nailed these makeovers – one can never go wrong with white, distressed white or combination of white and dark, especially with baskets. I think, if I had to choose just one, I would choose number 2. I love the basket with the white linen lining the basket and the flourish in the front. I would have never guessed you had hamburger buns in it! Hey, hamburger buns dressed up in linen is the way to go for a not so fancy, yet fancy meal!! Have a great week.

    • Thank you, Sue!! And ha ha…that’s how you dress up hamburger night! XOXO

  25. These are just beautiful! You are so talented! I love a white basket. I think my favorite is the bread basket. I love the shape. Where did you find the small transfer that you used on the first basket?

    • Thank you, Ashley! The mini transfers are part of a set called Classic Vintage Labels by Re-designed by Prima. If you search that name on Etsy, you should find several retailers that have them. XOXO

  26. Each basket had its own personality. My favorites were 2 and 3. Love the robins egg blue and the mold you made really licensed it up. I will say #4 was a perfect size,you don’t often find a square basket that is nice and deep. Great makeovers. God bless

  27. BRAVO, Christy, bravo! These 4 baskets turned out absolutely lovely! I am hard pressed to pick a favorite. Well done, ma’am! Took from bleh to WOW with your talents!!!!

  28. They all turned out so cute. The little tags are the perfect finishing touch.

  29. Hello, I love all these basket ideas but mostly I love how you staged them. Do they look this way in your booth? Filled with those lovely hydrangeas? If so, does the buyer get those florals included in the purchase? Or are the florals also available for sale to the buyer as a separate purchase? Are you constantly headed to Michael’s for replacements? They ain’t cheap! I’ve recently gotten my own booth and am confused on strategy about include florals in my displays. Thank you.

    • Hi Ei! Thank you! I don’t stage them this way in my booth, but what you can do is attach a staged photo of the basket printed on card stock. I have done that before to give the buyer an idea of how it will be used. You can see how I arrange my booth here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/booth-update-march-2021/ I also carry the Dixie Belle line and that takes up a good portion, but you can see previous booth updates in that post from before then. Best of luck to you! XOXO

  30. Hi Christy, I can’t get off your website!!!!! Lol Every time I start to close I see another one of your projects and here I go again!! But I had to comment on the baskets. I could have commented on everything I’ve seen so far but didn’t think you may appreciate that. Best for last. These baskets are amazing!!! As for my favorite, well they all are!!! To take an everyday item that every home has at least two or three of and to take it up to the level you have well it takes TALENT girl all day long!! You must have it in double spades. Anyway I’m so excited now I will try some on my boring baskets instead of taking them to the thrift store!! Lol.

    • Aww I love that so much, Cathy! Thank you! I rarely meet a basket I don’t want to bring home lol! Glad I could inspire! Happy creating!! XOXO

  31. I love all of them, but my most favorite is the bread (aka hamburger bun!) basket. I’ve seen some scrolly molds like that at Hobby Lobby that I think were wooden, so I can get some of those and not have to start a new hobby with resin! LOL Thank you so much. You continue to inspire me every Tues. and Thurs.

    • Aww thank you, Charlene! Ha ha yes! You can certainly find some pretty embellishments ready-made for sure! It’s amazing how easily you can update a simple basket! XOXO

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