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Make Your Own DIY Basket From A Cardboard Box

By Racquel Bregg in Easy DIY Projects & Crafts

featured your homeThis post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to make a basket out of an ordinary cardboard box - this simple DIY project costs less than $5 in supplies and doesn’t require any sewing. The result is a beautiful lined basket!
How to make a basket out of an ordinary cardboard box - this simple DIY project costs less than $5 in supplies and doesn’t require any sewing. The result is a beautiful lined basket!

Save money while adding storage to your home by transforming a cardboard box into a DIY basket. Learn how to make a stylish and cost-effective DIY storage bin using simple materials such as fabric, rope, and an ordinary cardboard box.

It seems I can never have enough boxes, baskets, or storage containers to keep everything organized. Can you relate? Unfortunately, store-bought baskets and organizing things can be expensive, even when they’re on sale.

That’s why I’ve been slowly creating my own baskets and beautiful storage boxes from old shipping boxes, diaper boxes, and other boxes I have on hand.

I LOVE the results! And you will, too! Today we’re going to have a little crafting fun as I share my tutorial on how to make your own storage baskets out of ordinary cardboard boxes.

make your own DIY basket out of a box pin image this idea now...

Supplies needed to make a basket out of a box

Here’s everything you’ll need. I’ve included a few handy links to help you find items faster.

  • A sturdy box the size you want your basket to be
  • Roll of twine or rope
  • Glue gun and hot glue sticks
  • Fabric
a roll of twine rope and a cardboard box

How to make a basket

Prepare to be pleasantly surprised at how easy this craft project is!

Step 1

Begin by cutting the top flaps off of your box if it has them.

Step 2

Use hot glue to attach one end of the rope or twine to your box. 

Note: I used rope rather than twine for a heavier look. The thicker your rope or twine is, the less you will need to complete this project. I used about 50′ of rope to cover 2/3 of my box (approximately 7″ W x 13″ L x 9″ H).

closeup view of gluing rope to a cardboard box

Step 3

Begin wrapping the rope around the box using hot glue to secure it every few inches.

The rope does not need to be fully glued down. Gluing every few inches will keep the rope in place and maintain a nice, tight wrap.

Step 4

Continue wrapping and securing the rope until you’ve covered 2/3 of the box.

DIY basket with a box and rope

Step 5

Cut a strip of fabric long enough to go around your box. The strip should be twice as wide as the exposed area above the rope + 1″. 

Note: In my case, my exposed area is about 3″, so my fabric strip was 6 1/2″ wide.

Step 6

Add a bead of hot glue along the top of the rope, working on one side at a time. Fold over one edge of the fabric 1/2″ and press it against the hot glue. 

The right side of the fabric will be against the box so that when it is folded later, the pretty side will be exposed. Use a knife or boning tool to tuck the fabric tight against the rope. 

Repeat with all sides of the box.

wrapping fabric around a cardboard box

Step 7

When the fabric has been attached all the way around the box, fold it up and into the inside of the box. Use additional glue to secure the fabric to the inside of the box.

DIY basket process photo

Step 8

I highly recommend fully lining the box to get a professionally finished look. However, that depends on how you plan to use your new basket. I will be using mine on shelves where the inside will not be seen. 

This is a super easy, no-sew way to create the look of a lined storage bin without the extra work! It took me about 45 minutes to make this basket and less than $5 in supplies!

See how easy it is to make your own basket? You can totally do it too!

handmade basket organizer

Tips for making your DIY basket 

Here are some helpful tips I have received from some readers that can help make this project even better. (Thank you!)

  • Add more stability: Carla offered the idea of folding the box flaps down inside the box nicely (if large enough) to add even more stability to the completed basket.
  • Glue fabric first: Susan had another great idea and recommended starting with the fabric glued to the box along a line, then covering the edge of the fabric with the rope or twine. You won’t need to turn over the raw edge as described, which makes it easier and results in fewer wrinkles.

DIY basket project FAQs

Here are the answers to a couple of questions that I see readers frequently ask about making your own DIY rope basket.

Would this DIY basket work well for storing kids’ toys?

Unfortunately, no. Upcycling boxes in this way is more for appearance and storing items that won’t need to have the durability that kids’ storage often demands. 

I like to use these boxes to store things like yarn, papers, candles, and other items that I don’t need to put in or pull out all the time.

How do I make a storage basket?

You can make a beautiful storage box by upcycling a regular cardboard box and transforming it with some fabric and twine (or rope). This is a cost-effective way to add beautiful storage to your home.

I hope you love this DIY basket project! I had so much fun making mine and feel a twinge of excitement every time I use my homemade organizer bin (or see it)!

Does the fabric look familiar? I used a scrap that I had left from my DIY Toy Box Makeover!

make a DIY basket out of a box pin

More DIY and crafting ideas you’ll love

If you like this project, here are more simple DIY ideas you may love!

  • How to Make Chore Sticks: The Brilliant DIY Chores System for Kids
  • DIY Recipe Binder to Organize Your Recipes
  • The Easy Way to Organize Kids’ Clothes
  • How to Organize Spices the Simple Way
  • How to Organize Paperwork Once and For All in 3 Simple Steps

Dear mom, I have so much more I’d love to share with you…

Fill out this form to join the Living Well Mom email community and receive the best of the best for your family’s journey to living well!
    *Note: ↑ this form does not give you a freebie. If you are looking for a free printable or other freebie, scroll back up to the rest of the post and use the other form.

    Filed Under: Easy DIY Projects & Crafts, Home Tagged With: featured your homePublished on October 25, 2022

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    Comments

    1. Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet says

      April 21, 2015 at 10:48 am

      I have some banker boxes I’m going to try this out on and maybe do the lid as well with cloth. I need pretty storage for my photography props and am tired of spending money on ugly plastic boxes.

      Reply
    2. Dawn says

      April 21, 2015 at 11:09 am

      That is pure genius. It looks just like a store bought basket, but it’s so much easier.

      Reply
    3. Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says

      April 21, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      OMG, I love this. So pretty!

      Reply
    4. Jennifer Sikora says

      April 21, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      This is the most adorable thing I have seen. I just showed it to my daughter and I think we are going to try and do some of these for her room.

      Reply
    5. Meagan says

      April 21, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      Wow, you are so creative! I have so many diaper boxes lying around, going to give this a try!

      Reply
    6. Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says

      April 21, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      And you pay quite a bit for something similarly made in stores! I’m all for this, great idea!

      Reply
    7. Mindy McGowan says

      April 21, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      Wow, what a great idea! I love baskets, but they are SO expensive. I have a million boxes laying around, though. I will have to make some of my own now. Thanks!

      Reply
    8. lisa says

      April 21, 2015 at 6:09 pm

      That is a really neat idea!! This box is so cute!

      Reply
    9. Dee Mauser says

      April 21, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      Wow, I need to start doing this. Being a blogger we get tons of boxes to throw away.

      Reply
    10. Liz Mays says

      April 21, 2015 at 8:18 pm

      That turned out so great. I need to do something like this in my office.

      Reply
    11. Amy Desrosiers says

      April 21, 2015 at 8:46 pm

      This is such a great idea! My kids have way too many toys and I need a stylish way to store their stuff.

      Reply
    12. Ann Bacciaglia says

      April 21, 2015 at 9:11 pm

      This is such a great idea. It looks fantastic and is so easy to make. I will have to try making one this weekend.

      Reply
    13. Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says

      April 21, 2015 at 9:15 pm

      This is such a spectacular idea! I am always looking for more supportive baskets- I think this may be the answer!

      Reply
    14. Sarah @ Must Have Mom says

      April 22, 2015 at 12:27 am

      This is such an awesome idea! How cute! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    15. Marina John says

      April 22, 2015 at 12:31 am

      This is soo creative! I would have never guessed there was cardboard underneath! Very cool!

      Reply
    16. Mistee Dawn says

      April 22, 2015 at 2:41 am

      This is such a fabulous idea! We have boxes laying around all over the place. Finally I can put them to good use.

      Reply
    17. Lena Burkut says

      April 22, 2015 at 4:09 am

      Such a lovely basket. I might just try it

      Reply
    18. Ronni says

      April 22, 2015 at 6:07 am

      So cute! I totally have a basket addiction. It’s getting quite expensive. I may just have to pull out the hot glue gun and get to working! I love this!

      Reply
    19. Dogvills says

      April 22, 2015 at 6:54 am

      I love this. I always have boxes around the house and this is such a clever way to recycle them.

      Reply
    20. Stacey - Travel Blogger says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:11 am

      That is too awesome. I would have never guessed that was a box!

      Reply
    21. Jenny Temcio says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:14 am

      You are so crafty! I love those baskets but they are always so expensive. I will have to try this.

      Reply
    22. Dawn McAlexander says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:16 am

      I did a fabulous job! I would have never thought to make a basket like this.

      Reply
    23. valerie g says

      April 22, 2015 at 10:11 am

      I would never have thought to do this. What a great idea!! love it!

      Reply
    24. Melissa says

      April 22, 2015 at 8:12 pm

      This is amazing! What a fantastic idea for all of the boxes I have lying around.

      Reply
    25. Myrah - Coupon Mamacita says

      April 22, 2015 at 10:48 pm

      Gorgeous and so simple to do! How would have known!

      Reply
    26. Susan Hammill says

      December 30, 2015 at 12:26 pm

      Hello Raquel,
      What a great idea. Could I suggest starting with the fabric glued to the box along a line and then cover the edge of the fabric with the rope or twine? Then you wouldn’t need to turn under the raw edge as described. I think it might be easier to do and have fewer wrinkles.
      Thanks for sharing your idea.
      Sue

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 3, 2016 at 8:11 pm

        Great idea, Susan. Thanks for mentioning this!

        Reply
        • Gloria Kourounis says

          March 3, 2020 at 5:18 am

          That’s what I’m going to do!

          Reply
    27. glo says

      January 2, 2016 at 1:22 pm

      I am glad that I came across your post on facebook. I am two sets of shelves that I have been wanting baskets for and now I know an inexpensive and crafty way to fill them with.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 3, 2016 at 8:08 pm

        Glad to hear it, Glo! Have fun!

        Reply
    28. Linette D. says

      January 5, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      I’m trying to do this project but struggling. Do you wrap the box without ever cutting the rope or do you cut a new piece of rope for every row?

      Reply
    29. Zonia says

      January 21, 2016 at 11:52 pm

      Pin this for future tasks..Excited to do my own basket! 😉

      Reply
    30. Nancy says

      May 4, 2016 at 7:38 am

      This is a perfect idea! This box could even be stored in the living room! Going to try it myself! Thanks.

      Reply
    31. Nancy says

      July 26, 2016 at 6:59 am

      What can I say? I need this! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Carla says

        January 19, 2017 at 7:34 pm

        I think if it is possible to fold the box flaps down inside the box nicely (if large enough) it would add even more stability to the completed basket.

        Reply
        • Erika says

          January 22, 2017 at 11:44 am

          Hi Carla, that’s a great idea for adding more stability to your basket box. Thanks for sharing.

          Reply
    32. Elisaa says

      May 3, 2020 at 8:15 am

      You are so crafty! I love those baskets but they are always so expensive. I will have to try this.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        May 4, 2020 at 11:33 am

        Thank you! Yes, they are expensive to buy. I am always surprised when I shop for them.

        Reply
    33. kolo says

      February 5, 2021 at 1:30 am

      I am Going To Try It Myself For My Room.

      Reply
    34. Samson says

      March 3, 2021 at 10:56 pm

      This Is Amazing I Will Must Try.

      Reply

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