How to make lids for square or rectangular baskets using fabric, decorative paper and cardboard. Once these pretty lids are placed on a basket, you can stack baskets for better storage and organization.
Post Updated: 2/12/2020
Like many of you… I like my house to be pretty and organized. One way I try to tame clutter around my house is to place stuff into decorative baskets.
I use them in my pantry, as well as my linen closet, studioffice, and mud room. One of my favorite ways to use baskets is to make lids for them. When they have lids, you can stack them to create decorative storage.
By making basket lids out of cardboard and fabric, I created a way to stack basket on basket that maintains order and beauty, not only on my shelves, but as you can see from the photo above you can also make a unique nightstand or side table with stacked baskets.
Lidded baskets also look pretty and add color and interest to a bookshelf, while hiding the contents. On many of the baskets I use to organize items, I also add labels. I make these and have free printable templates that you can download and use in your home.
To learn how to make the labels – click over to my post entitled – Free Printable Label Organizing Gallery
How to Make a Fabric Covered Cardboard Lid For a Basket
supplies needed:
- A square or rectangular basket
- 1 piece of cardboard, large enough to cover the top of basket, plus 2 inches on all sides
- Decorative paper or fabric, cut to the same size as cardboard, plus 1-inch on each side
- Optional: Iron-on flexible vinyl (if you want to be able to wipe it clean)
- Glue Gun and glue stick
- Spray Adhesive
- Craft knife
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors
Heat N’Bond Iron-On Vinyl TIPS:
- You can fuse iron-on laminating vinyl to the fabric so it can be easily cleaned and dusted. This can be purchased where ever fabric is sold.
- When using decorative paper instead of fabric with the iron-on vinyl, it will adhere without the need of an iron.
3. Line up a straight edge along one basket perimeter line and with an open tip of a pair of scissors; score the line all the way to the edge of the cardboard. This will become a fold. Repeat for the other 3 drawn lines.
4. Laminating the fabric or paper is optional. Following manufacturer’s instructions, laminate fabric or paper. Lay fabric on a table right side down. Spray wrong side with adhesive. Then center top-side of cardboard onto sprayed fabric. Use your hands to carefully remove creases and air bubbles. Once fabric is adhered all around, turn excess fabric over edges onto other side of cardboard making sure it is sticks.
5. Make a cut on score lines as shown. This will create corner tabs for gluing the box together.
6. Fold box top at score lines and carefully run a thin line of hot glue along the inside corner tab and attach to adjacent side to make corners of box. When glue has cooled, place on top of basket.
Voila, you have a great stackable basket lids in your own style.
- For more home organizing tips, visit my Organizing Project Gallery.
Aly says
Love the new pictures, Diane.
Where do you find such amazing papers and fabrics?
Diane Henkler says
Hi Aly – I found the paper for the basket lid a few years ago. I bought it at Papyrus. I think they recently went out of business. :-) I always am on the lookout for pretty papers. Even if I have no plans for them at the time, I buy them so I have a selection of pretty ones to choose from when and idea for a project comes up.
Cyndi says
Genius! Would never have thought of that!!!
Debby W says
Diane, I love your site and follow it daily. Love, love, love the lids for baskets. Also love how you put inserts in the bottoms of baskets so you can actually set things in them. Thanks again:)
Stephanie Hobson says
I just looked on Pinterest for a diy on basket lids and found this. Should have known to come here first anyway! Thanks.
Brenda says
Your re-creations are so inspiring! I love what you did here with the basket lids.
I too love your kitchen re do. You inspired me to paint my kitchen cabinets
as well. I’m about 80% done with them and so far couldn’t be more happier with how amazing they look. I’ve started buying the hardware to accessorize them with-beautiful! My daughter says, the cabinets now allow other focal points (river rock fireplace and wood floor) near the kitchen to shine even more! My creative juices are flowing like a river now. Thanks!
Diane says
Hi Brenda – I remember the feeling I had when I first started painting my cabinets. I would just look at them so happy that I finally had what I wanted. I bet yours do look terrific with your wood floor and river rock fireplace (swoon) . Someday I would like to have a stone fireplace. Painting cabinets does take some effort, time, and focus – but it is all worth it when you are done.
Thanks for connecting with me. I would love to see a photo when you are done.
Keri @ Spirit of Power says
Genius!! (This is one of those “how did I not think of that” ideas that cause a facepalm when you see them)
I love it!
Visiting from SITS.
God's Favorite Shoes says
Oh MY GOODNESS! I need you to come live wiht me and organie my life! I will feed you! I love these ideas!!
Happy Saturday SITS Sharefest Day!
Beth @ CricketCrossing says
Hi Diane, Thanks for visiting my blog and becoming a follower! I fell in love with your baskets with the lids on them and bookmarked this page and became a follower! I can’t wait to make lids for baskets! Looking forward to many more ideas from you,and hope to start posting some more of my own soon.
Diana @ The Girl Creative says
What a great project and tutorial. :) Thanks so much for linking. :)
Karyn says
Hi, I followed a link to your inspirational blog. I am now a follower… Great Ideas on the kitchen. I too have builder oak cabinets and have been dreaming of how to change it up. Thanks for the great ideas, I have been looking all over your pages… Karyn.
Beach Vintage says
This is so simple yet the result is amazing. I love this idea.
patricia says
hey there! i have admired the basket with the lid since i started to follow you blog now i am thrilled to know how to actually do it! thank you!!!