How to Upcycle Plastic Baskets to Look Like Wicker (Using Scrap Fabric)

Kimberley Rogan-Walker
6 days ago
8 min read

If you have old plastic basket taking up space and looking worse for wear, this budget upcycle project is exactly what you need. I transformed two faded round plastic baskets into beautiful wicker-style storage baskets using scrap fabric and strips from an old damaged wicker basket — for virtually zero cost.

This plastic basket makeover is one of my favourite kinds of upcycling project: simple, satisfying, and completely zero-waste. No paint, no specialist products, just fabric, hot glue, and a bit of creativity.

Woven straw basket on a wooden table in a dim home dining area, with chairs and household items in the background.

What You Need for This Plastic Basket Upcycle

The beauty of this project is that everything I used came from things I already had at home. Here's what you'll need:

Two old round plastic baskets (mine were approximately 10 inches wide and 6 inches high)
One old or damaged wicker basket made from long braided strips — even a crushed or misshapen one is perfect
Scrap fabric — any cotton, linen or leftover curtain fabric works well
Hot glue gun and plenty of glue sticks
Scissors
Pegs or clips (optional, to hold pieces while glue sets)

If you do not have an old wicker basket to take apart, you can find similar braided wicker trim on eBay, Amazon or in charity shops for very little money. You could also substitute with jute rope or thick ribbon for a slightly different effect.

Step 1: Take Apart the Old Wicker Basket

The first step was to rescue the braided wicker strips from an old basket that had definitely seen better days. It was crushed, misshapen, and no longer any use as a basket — but the materials inside were still perfectly good.

My basket was made from long braided wicker strips that had been sewn together to form the shape. I carefully unpicked the stitching and pulled the strips apart until I had several long lengths of braided wicker ready to reuse.

This took about 15–20 minutes and left me with a surprisingly generous pile of wicker braid to work with. It is always worth taking a moment to look at something before throwing it away — even broken or worn-out items can have a second life in a new project.

Top tip: Keep the strips as long as possible when you remove them. Longer pieces are easier to work with when you start wrapping them around your plastic baskets.

Step 2: Line the Plastic Baskets with Scrap Fabric

Before adding the wicker strips to the outside, I lined the inside of each plastic basket with scrap fabric. This step completely disguises the plastic interior and gives the finished basket a much softer, more polished look.

To do this:

Measure and cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover the base and sides of the basket, with a little extra to fold over the top rim
Apply hot glue to the inside base of the basket and press the fabric down firmly
Work your way up the sides, gluing and smoothing the fabric as you go
Fold the excess fabric over the top rim of the basket and glue it down on the outside

The raw edges of the fabric at the top do not need to be perfect at this stage, as they will be hidden by the wicker braid in the next step. The key is to keep the fabric smooth and bubble-free on the inside where it will be seen.

I used a small floral cotton fabric for a pretty, cottage-style look inside my baskets, but any scrap fabric works beautifully here. Linen, plain cotton, vintage fabric, even an old tea towel — all would give a lovely result.

Step 3: Wrap the Outside with Braided Wicker

This is the step that transforms the project. Once the fabric lining was dry, I started wrapping the braided wicker strips around the outside of each plastic basket.

Starting at the base, I applied a line of hot glue and pressed the first strip of wicker braid into place. I worked my way around the basket, adding more glue as needed and pressing the wicker firmly until it held. The wicker braid covered the folded-over fabric edges from the inside lining, giving a completely clean finish.

I continued layering the wicker strips upwards, gluing each one snugly against the last, until the entire outside of each basket was covered. Where I needed to join a new strip, I tucked the end underneath the previous row and glued it securely.

A few pegs or bulldog clips are helpful for holding the wicker in place while the glue cools, especially if you are working quickly. The hot glue sets fast, but having something to hold the join steady for 30 seconds makes a huge difference.

The transformation was remarkable. What started as a faded, marked plastic basket looked exactly like a natural wicker storage basket by the time the last strip was in place.

The Finished Wicker-Look Baskets: Before and After

The difference between the starting point and the finished baskets is genuinely impressive. Two faded, marked plastic baskets and one broken wicker basket became two beautiful, rustic storage baskets that look completely at home on a shelf or side table.

The scrap fabric inside gives the baskets a pretty, finished look when you glance inside, while the braided wicker on the outside completely disguises the plastic. They have a lovely cottage-style, natural feel that sits perfectly in a cosy, budget-friendly home.

These baskets are approximately 10 inches wide and 6 inches high — a really useful size for all sorts of storage and display purposes around the home.

Ways to Use Your Upcycled Wicker-Style Storage Baskets

One of the best things about this plastic basket makeover is how versatile the finished baskets are. Here are some ideas for using them around your home:

Craft Room or Office Storage

These baskets are the perfect size for a craft room or home office. Use them to hold ribbons, buttons, fabric scraps, pens, scissors, wool, or any small supplies that tend to clutter up a workspace.

Bathroom Organisation

In the bathroom, these baskets work beautifully for holding rolled-up face cloths, soaps, hair accessories, cotton wool, or toiletries. They add a spa-like, natural feel to a shelf or windowsill.

Living Room Shelf Styling

Use them on a living room shelf or side table to hold remote controls, coasters, candles, crystals, or small decorative pieces. Fill one with faux flowers, dried botanicals, or a small trailing plant for an effortless styled shelf look.

Bedroom Bedside Storage

On a bedside table or bedroom shelf, these baskets are lovely for holding jewellery, hair clips, lip balm, hand cream, or other bedtime essentials. They add warmth and texture to any room.

Seasonal Styling

These baskets are gorgeous for seasonal displays. In autumn, fill one with fabric pumpkins or dried leaves. At Christmas, use one for baubles, pinecones, or small wrapped gifts. In spring, tuck in some faux tulips or paper flowers for a fresh, seasonal vignette.

Tips for the Best Results

Work in short sections when gluing the wicker — a little hot glue at a time gives you more control
Keep the wicker strips taut as you wrap so there are no loose or gappy sections
Tuck all raw ends of the wicker braid underneath the nearest row and glue securely
If your plastic basket has a pattern or texture on the outside, that's fine — the wicker will cover it completely
Choose a fabric with a small pattern or plain texture for the inside lining — it shows less fraying than a loose weave fabric
Let the glue cool fully before handling the basket to avoid the wicker shifting

Why This Upcycle Project Works So Well on a Budget

This project is a brilliant example of zero-waste home decor because it rescues three items that would otherwise have been thrown away: two tired plastic baskets and one broken wicker basket. Combined with a scrap of leftover fabric, you end up with something genuinely beautiful and useful.

If you do buy materials specifically for this project, you could recreate it for well under £5. A pack of wicker or jute trim is available very cheaply online, and a small piece of cotton fabric from a charity shop or fabric remnant box would keep costs minimal.

This is exactly the kind of budget home decor DIY that makes a real difference — not just to your home, but to the amount of perfectly usable material that ends up in landfill.

More Budget Upcycling and Home Styling Ideas

If you enjoyed this project, you might also like these ideas from around the blog:

How to style budget shelves using charity shop finds
Scrap fabric crafts for your home: easy projects using leftover fabric
Budget home organisation: how to style storage without spending much
DIY rustic home decor ideas using natural materials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a plastic basket look like wicker?

Yes! This project proves you absolutely can. By gluing braided wicker strips (from an old basket, or bought cheaply online) around the outside of a plastic basket, you completely disguise the plastic and create a natural wicker look. Adding a fabric lining to the inside finishes the transformation beautifully.

What type of fabric is best for lining a basket?

A medium-weight cotton or linen works best for lining a basket. Avoid very loose-weave fabrics as these can fray and look untidy at the edges. Floral cotton, plain linen, or vintage fabric all give a lovely result. Charity shop fabric finds, old pillowcases, or fabric remnants are ideal for this.

Do I need a hot glue gun for this project?

A hot glue gun makes this project much faster and easier, and it gives a strong, durable bond between the wicker braid and the plastic. That said, you could also use a strong craft adhesive — just allow extra drying time at each stage. A hot glue gun is a worthwhile investment for anyone who enjoys crafting and DIY projects.

Where can I buy wicker braid or trim in the UK?

You can find braided wicker trim, jute trim, and rattan braid strips on Amazon UK, eBay, or in craft shops. Alternatively, keep an eye out for old wicker baskets in charity shops, car boot sales, or even on local selling apps like Facebook Marketplace or Vinted. These are often very cheap and provide plenty of braid to work with.

How long does this project take?

This upcycle takes approximately 1 to 2 hours per basket, depending on the size and how quickly you work. Taking apart the old wicker basket adds around 20 minutes, and the lining and wrapping each take roughly 30–40 minutes. It's a lovely afternoon project with very satisfying results.

Can I use rope or jute instead of wicker braid?

Absolutely. Thick jute rope, cotton rope, or even macramé cord all work beautifully as alternatives to wicker braid. The wrapping technique is essentially the same: start at the base, apply hot glue, and work upwards. Rope gives a more bohemian look, while wicker braid gives a more traditional wicker-basket result.

A Zero-Waste Upcycle Worth Trying

This plastic basket upcycle is one of those projects that delivers far more than the effort it takes. Three items destined for the bin became two genuinely beautiful storage baskets, using nothing more than scrap fabric, braided wicker, and a hot glue gun.

I love that this project costs next to nothing, creates no waste, and results in something you'd happily pay good money for in a shop. That's the very best kind of budget home decor.

If you give this a try, I'd love to know how yours turns out. Drop a comment below or tag me on Pinterest — I share lots of similar budget upcycling, scrap fabric crafts, and cosy home styling ideas over there.

Happy making! 🧺