The Elegant Storage Baskets You Can DIY Using Cardboard & Paper Straws

Not enough storage in your luxurious lavatory? A poorly designed bathroom can do that. Sometimes a lack of built-in features like cabinets and drawers leaves little space for your toiletries, becoming an easy target for clutter. Bathroom shelves can help hold some items, but there are several private toiletries you definitely don't want up for display (well hello there waxing strips). Fortunately, this creative DIY solution from YouTuber @cameliadiycraft is perfect for storing (or concealing) items and organizing a small bathroom. With cardboard, paper straws, and a bit of crafting, you can make elegant storage baskets for your toiletries, cleaning products, and more.

These DIY storage baskets are super easy to make and can double as charming décor for a bathroom or vanity. Upcycled baskets are also a sustainable alternative to plastic bins, helping you reduce your environmental impact. To make them, you'll just need a few pieces of cardboard, a pencil, scissors, paper straws, hot glue, and decorative fabric such as lace. If you don't have paper straws or fabric on hand, you can find a roll of lace at Michaels for around $9 per yard and a 200-pack of paper straws on Amazon for about $7.

The first step is to make the base and sides of your basket out of the cardboard pieces. YouTuber @cameliadiycraft uses a bowl to measure her preferred circumference. Trace the bowl and cut out two pieces (one for the exterior base and the other for the interior base). Next, cut and roll up a second cardboard piece to create a natural curve shape once unraveled. Hot glue the base of the curved cardboard around the circle cut-out base. Make two more circle cut-outs, this time of your fabric of choice, slightly larger than the size of your bases. You'll then glue one of these to the bottom of the basket as a decorative cover.

The next step is to glue your paper straws one by one horizontally around the basket exterior until it's completely covered (this gives it a nice textured design). The last and final step is to glue your fabric of choice along the inside of the basket as well as the remaining circle cut-out fabric to cover the interior base. Place the interior base inside the basket and you're done! Feel free to get creative with your storage baskets to make them your own. For example, the YouTuber embellishes her baskets with more fabric ribbon, some twine, and beads. Place the baskets on a shelf, beneath the sink, or mount them to the wall as a clever and stylish bathroom storage shelf.