Looking for ways to affordably organize smaller items in your home in cabinets using decorative storage bins, boxes and baskets? Don’t settle for style-less plastic bins and boxes. You can readily tweak handled baskets found for a dime at the thrift shop into really cheap decorative storage baskets to help you organize your home in style… and no DIY skills are needed.
My fall nesting self is starting to surface. You know when you want to get everything in the house decluttered after the summer and ready to go for enjoying the cooler months of the year inside the house. I call this process “upping the comfy-cozy factor” of the house.
Organizing our homes is never once and done. It is a continual process to keep the contents of closets, cabinets, cupboards, shelfs, and drawers more organized.
I organize all the time and always seek better arrangements to improve upon past organizing efforts, especially if they are not working.
This is the case with the white sideboard I added to my living room back in the spring.
I purged the contents of what I wanted in the cabinet and set things up in stacks. It looks organized in the photo, but in real life it is hard to find a CD title and when I would pull out one, the whole stack slides out of the cabinet and onto the floor.
Two weeks ago I had to drive into Columbia, SC. It is the nearest city to me and is about a 45 minute drive on the interstate. When I was returning, I followed my phone’s GPS to get me home. It took me a on a route I had never traveled before. As I was driving and paying attention to my next turn, I passed a small building that looked like a thrift store as it had lots of junk outside.
You know I love thrifting and thought to myself, “Should I stop? YEA or NAY?” It was getting late and I didn’t want to get stuck in rush-hour traffic, but my curiosity got the best of me and I turned around to check out the new-to-me thrift store. I was glad I did!
The little shop was filled from top to bottom and was the most organized little thrift store I had ever entered. The prices were just right and the owner of the shop could not have been cuter. You could tell she was proud of her shop and went to great lengths to make it very pleasant.
I came out with a few white pitchers, a large ribbed glass Pyrex bowl with a white rubber lid (looks brand new) and baskets – 6 of them for a whopping $3. That’s an amount of cha-ching at the register that I don’t mind. :-)
Rectangular storage baskets can be easily found new at stores like Target, HomeGoods and more, but their price tags can run anywhere from $9 – $19 depending on their size. Handled thrift store baskets cost 50 cents to a dollar a piece.
You may be thinking 80’s country decor when you see handled baskets like these, but keep reading to see how to transform them into decorative storage baskets.
When you remove the handles on the baskets….voila! Stylish storage on the cheap.
But I didn’t stop here…
I added labels to each basket using my label making and attaching method that I have written about a few times before here on the blog.
- Free printable label.pdf and step-by-step tutorial post: How to Make DIY Laminated Labels
Labels are the best way to make sure things can be easily found and then are placed back where they belong when done. That is half the battle of keeping things organized. :-)
How to Make a Decorative Storage Basket From a Thrift Store Find
Time needed: 10 minutes.
How to remove the handle from a wicker basket to transform it into a stylish storage basket that can then be used alone or even stacked to create ultimate storage possibilities.
- Place Basket on Work Table
Once basket is on a work surface, use sharp shears or a box knife to cut the handle off on each side of the basket.
- Remove Handle Base
Once the handle is cut off, there will still be vertical reeds sticking out the top. These can easily be removed with a pair of point-nose pliers and a tug. - Check That All Shim Reeds Are Removed
Look at the basket to see if there are any shim reeds running vertically in the weave. These usually are short pieces that will come out easily. Depending on the basket, some may even run vertically. You will be able to spot them if you look closely at the pattern of the basket’s weave. - Fill With Your Stuff
If using a few baskets inside one cabinet, play around to see the best fit. I tend to move mine all around and even try facing the sides of the baskets out if they fit in better. - Use All Sizes of Baskets
With most baskets, you will not see any damage after removing the handle. I have removed quite a few handles over the years, The center basket below is the first basket I have come across where there is open space left. But no need to fix it as a label will hide it. :-)
Now when I go to grab something from my cabinet, I can simply slide a basket in and out to easily find the item I want without anything small falling out of the cabinet.
How to Make Pretty Labels For Your Thrift Store Storage Baskets
I have written a few posts about how I make and use my DIY labels. Here is the link to one of those posts to get the step-by-step directions.
- Free printable label.pdf and step-by-step tutorial post: How to Make DIY Laminated Labels
For even more free labels to download, check out my: Free Printable Label Library and Member’s Free Printable Library for many more decorative labels to help you organize your stuff.
How to Attach Decorative Labels to Baskets
Once I have my laminated labels made, here is an overview on how I attach the labels to my thrift store baskets.
- Find the center front of the basket. I sometimes use the long side of a basket if it fits into a cabinet better that way.
2. Push a brass fastener onto hole you punched into label and then through the weave of the basket until the pointed ends of the fastener come out the other side.
Make sure you like the centering of the label, if not adjust and then spread the tips of the fastener on the inside of the basket to secure the label.
All done and now ready to help me keep my cabinets, closets and drawers more organized.
See how to use the DIY laminated labels on: Decorative Storage Boxes
How to Use Low Sided Baskets to Organize Small Items
In my recent thrift store finds, I also brought home 3 low sided baskets. I use these in my china closet…
and in drawers to organize everything from teabags….
How to Clean a Basket
If you find a basket at the thrift store that is exactly the size you need, but it looks dirty, you should still buy it as baskets are easy to clean.
Fill a sink with hot sudsy water and let the basket soak for about 5 minutes. Next use a scrubbing pad to go over the surface of the basket. Rinse and then place the basket outside in the sun until it dries.
I now have the white sideboard organized to my satisfaction with cheap decorative storage baskets.
It’s time to search for a few larger baskets when I am next out thrifting to help me organize the contents of my party closet.
Jeanne says
I love the idea of using baskets for organization and buying them at thrift stores! I hate to think about the baskets I’ve gotten rid of in the past because of their handles. Thank you for sharing all your creativity!
Terri says
Brilliant!
Ellen says
Oh, oh! Where is the store? And the name?
Diane Henkler says
The thrift shop is called: The Thrifty Gift Shop, 1937 Augusta Road, West Columbia 29169 I got the name from my receipt, but I thought the sign outside the store had a different name. It is a stand alone store – not very big, but loaded with stuff. Happy hunting! :-)
Julie says
I love using baskets, thank you for all the great ideas in this post! I am like you in that I enjoy finding them cheap!
Catherine says
Love this idea, Diane! I love baskets, but think they’re so much more useful (for what I need them for) when they don’t have handles. I’ll definitely be trying this tip out!
Deb Richardson says
I live in the midlands of South Carolina, and I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. Love your creativity and thriftiness! I would love to visit the shop where you got your baskets if you could give me the name and address of it. Thanks so much!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Deb – The thrift shop is called: The Thrifty Gift Shop, 1937 Augusta Road, West Columbia 29169 I got the name from my receipt, but I thought the sign outside the store had a different name. It is a stand alone store – not very big, but loaded with stuff. Happy hunting! :-)
Linda Pawlak says
Oh My Goodness! I cannot tell you how many baskets I have thrown out or passed up in the thrift store because they had handles! Not ONCE have I ever considered removing the handle!!!! But you can bet I will be on the lookout now! Thank you SO much!!
Floranet says
Totally enjoyable one!! Thanks a lot!
Christy Keyton says
Have you ever done this with a Longaberger basket? I just snagged a huge lot of these type for next to nothing. I am trying to decide how to “spiff” them up to sell in my shop!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Christy –
I have not done this on a Longaberger basket, but I am sure it can be done. I think the handles are attached with a screw. You may be able to remove the handle and even put it back on of you want to use it again. To add the labels, you may have to attach them in a different way since the reeds used to make these baskets are wider.
Donna L. says
Hi Christy,
My mother-in-law was a Longaberger collector and sales rep for years (up until they changed the stain colors and discontinued what is now considered the “classic” stain). She says to clean the baskets with Murphy’s Oil Soap. Be sure and research the baskets you bought — they can be worth a pretty penny!
Christy Keyton says
Thanks for the cleaning tip, Donna!
Kat says
I use baskets all the time. Sometimes I find a particular use is no longer needed but the basket will work perfectly for something else! You are so creative, I’ll bet you could find a use for those handles you cut off the baskets.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Kat – I agree with you – baskets are so versatile. When I was throwing the handles out, I hesitated for a minute thinking if I could find another use for them, but decided to toss them. Just wait in a week, I will think of a way to use them. :-)
Connie McGhee says
You never fail to amaze me! I appreciate you & your never-ending desire to share that makes so many people happy, even if they never tell you.
Diane Henkler says
Thanks Connie – I appreciate you taking the time to leave me such a nice comment. Thanks for reading.
Sherry B. says
I love this post about the baskets. I do have one other question about your sideboard. I do shop online but have never purchased furniture online, how is the quality of your sideboard? After your original post about the sideboard I did go to the Hygee Home website and found things I really liked but was hesitant to buy. They have a piece that would really fit nicely in my home just worrying about buying online and if the piece comes damaged or any other problems that might come up. I love your blog and find all of your ideas inspiring.
Diane Henkler says
Hi Sherry – I love the sideboard. It is sturdy and well made. Everything opens and closes just as it should. I would not hesitate to get another piece. Hygge Home has so many great pieces. I would love them all.
Pamela says
Brilliant! Why have I never thought to simply cut the handles off? When you said 80s it was an immediate, oh yeah, that’s what they feel like to me and why I don’t use them…cutesy country. I know Columbia well as my aunt lived there 70 years, now I know your area of the state.
Eva LH says
Oh so glad you posted this! I just found a Longaberger basket at Goodwill for $1!!! Don’t like the handle, but couldn’t pass that up! Thanks, gonna try this!
Brenda says
Can you tell me where the shop is and it’s name? I live in the area and it sounds great!
Diane Henkler says
Hi Brenda – I took the shop owner’s card and now I can’t find it. :-( It is a small store not affiliated with a church or big organization. I remember passing the Habitat ReStore and Lowes heading back to get on 26 Westbound. I am going to keep searching for the card and will get the name to you soon.
Brenda says
Thanks, Diane
Diane Henkler says
Hi again Brenda – I found my receipt. On the receipt it says The Thrifty Gift Shop, 1937 Augusta Road, West Columbia 29169 I thought the name was different, but maybe not. At least you know how to find it now. :-)
Kathy T says
thank you so much for this post . I am so unorganized and I need to really put your suggestions to use
Debby says
Every time I go I “thrift store shop” I grab baskets. I even used your advise and lined the bottoms for ease in grabbing items out of them. Thank you
Janeen says
This idea is simple and brilliant at the same time. I will have to get to my local thrift store before everyone else reads your post! I also have a few baskets with handles that I’ve never parted with because of their beauty. My husband will be thrilled when I find a use for them. Thanks for the idea!