Upcycle Inexpensive Dollar Tree Bins Into A Chic Countertop Utensil Holder

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Who said storing utensils in bins directly on the counter had to be ugly? With a little bit of clever creativity and a few cheap items from Dollar Tree, turn basic plastic bins into utensil holders that look chic and high end. This DIY is a fantastic way to add some extra kitchen storage without sacrificing style or breaking the bank. In terms of supplies, you need a basket to use as the utensil holder. Get a simple basket at Dollar Tree, or choose some taller and bigger ones if you have a lot of utensils to store. Still from Dollar Tree, grab some jute cord and a PVC placemat. In addition to these supplies, you need some hot glue to secure everything together and some scissors to cut sections from the placemat.

This is a simple DIY that can get done in just an hour or so with no advanced skills needed, though it does require a bit of patience. These baskets are great for countertops if you don't have much drawer space, but they can be used around the house for more than utensils. For example, these upgraded baskets can store pens on a desk, keep tea bags organized in the kitchen, gather jewellery on a dresser, or it can even be a great catch-all dish to empty pockets in the foyer. When you're done, repurpose leftover twine for other DIYs, including jute rope lighting fixtures.

The first step of this DIY is to cut some sections from the placemat to line the inside of the basket. Measure the size of each section with a ruler and cut them out of the placemat with scissors. A few dots of hot glue inside the basket are enough to secure the lining in place. Instead of the placemats you can repurpose leftover fabric scraps or even use AK Trading Co. burlap fabric to line the inside of the baskets.

Next, cut eight thin and long sections from the placemat and attach them at the top of the basket. These are threaded with the jute cord to add a bit of dimension. To do this, glue a piece of jute cord at the top of the basket and wrap it around the basket. Every time, alternate by going over and then under each placemat strip. Secure the thread with some dots of hot glue along the way. Once the twine reaches the bottom, cut off the twine and attach it with hot glue. 

If you'd like to use the baskets for lightweight items instead of utensils, stack two baskets on top of each with some metal sticks. Another way to add more storage without having to take the stacking step is to simply repeat the DIY with several baskets. You can place them next to each other on the counter, each holding different kinds of utensils. To keep things extra organized, use some hot glue to attach two or three baskets next to each other.