Take A Thrifted Basket From Trash To Treasure With An Easy Upcycle For Entryway Storage

Thrift store aisles are often filled with woven baskets in all shapes, sizes, and designs. They typically are available for just a couple for dollars, making them a great item to pick up and use for storage and organization needs. While there are many ways to repurpose thrifted baskets indoors and out, one ingenious hack may not have occurred to you. You can turn any woven basket into an adorable wall shelf with just a few modifications. The result is a budget-friendly shelf that makes for creative, clutter-free storage in entryways or hallways.

These basket shelves are an excellent lightweight way to gain some extra storage. They're especially useful if you do not want to fasten heavier shelves to plaster or drywall. They are also a stylish way to add texture and interest, particularly in neutral-heavy, minimalist interiors. While they cannot hold as much weight as other kinds of floating shelves, hanging several of them together can provide a lot of bonus storage and display space. In an entryway, use them as a surface for holding keys, mail, sunglasses, and other lightweight materials on your way in and out of the door. You could also use them in the bathroom to hold folded towels and extra tissue, or in a craft room for supplies like fabric and yarn. 

To turn a thrifted basket into a shelf, you will need to attach hanging apparatus. Some people drive nails directly through the baskets into wall studs. You can also use picture hangers that loop through the woven material or small metal L-brackets that will support the basket from underneath. Proper hanging and weight distribution will ensure your project does not sag or become misshapen. You can also tie off some rope or twine and hang it from above.

If you have a larger square or rectangular basket, you can add more shelves inside. The above YouTube DIYer uses a loose shelf plank from a Dollar Tree hanging shelf glued in place with E6000 and supported by DIY brackets created from Tumbling Tower game pieces. Or you can use scrap wood or leftover paneling cut down to the dimensions you need. Add other elements to the interior of the basket to improve functionality or cosmetics, like installing a small mirror. Cup hooks attached with E6000 adhesive make a convenient spot to hang keys.

Customization options that fit your particular décor are many. Paint baskets and shelves to look like one unified piece, or leave them natural for a rustic vibe. For a cottage-style look, line the basket with decorative fabric. This DIY works with all sorts of materials including plastic or wire mesh if you're looking for a way to repurpose thrifted wire baskets into chic shelving.