Turn Plastic Jars Into Treasure By Crafting A Simple DIY Wooden Storage Basket

As more and more of us embrace the importance of sustainability in our homes and home designs, salvaging, repurposing, and upcycling becomes ever more prevalent. This means that more and more often, when we catch ourselves standing in our kitchen with yet another plastic jar, our first thought is, "How can I repurpose this around the house?" We've got an answer. Glue clothespins and some twine around the outside to transform it into a cute — and useful — wooden basket. 

The simplicity of this DIY almost belies the value of its function. Since this project repurposes an upcycled plastic container like a big jar of peanut butter or an empty ice cream tub to create a basket you can use in your home for stylish storage, you'll also have a built-in plastic lining — which means you'll be able to easily clean it out. Use it for plants, spices, cookies, nuts, candles, flowers, or just about anything else. It's a quick and easy project, and you only need a few materials: a plastic jar, some wood clothespins, twine, and a hot glue gun.

Begin by breaking apart your clothespins so you're left with the two wood pieces. If it isn't already the desired size, cut your plastic jar to the height you want. You'll want to pay attention to removing any plastic edging (like where a lid would snap or screw on) so the top of your plastic container is flat. Glue the clothespins around the outside of the container, being sure to align them at the bottom so your basket will sit level. Then, adhere twine to the bottom of the jar in a swirl pattern. All that's left is to add a handle and any adornments to style your basket for use in any part of your home.

Braid or macrame some twine to create a sturdy handle, and glue one end to either side of your basket. Then, add a length of the twine around the basket at the indent line of the clothespins (where the metal hinges once were) for a rustic look. Or, repurpose a length of leather to function as the handle and wrap-around detail of your basket. Alternatively, you could add two small handles on either side of the basket instead of one large piece arching over the top. For a sleeker look, skip the handle all together. Adorn your wooden basket with stain, paint, or a bow made of burlap. Finish your project in a way that speaks to you and your style, and you'll have an adorable and useful piece of upcycled decor.