Quick and Easy Wicker Hamper Crafts

It’s so easy to find old wicker hampers; I see them at yard sales, flea markets, and second hand stores all the time. Although they’re great for holding dirty clothes, people change to a new style of hamper and simply toss them out, but there’s plenty of great things you can do with the hampers. And because they’re wicker they’re easy to paint or decorate.

Paint the hamper in a colorful manner and use it to hold toys in a child’s room. New spray-on paints that adhere to many different surfaces make it easy to give the wicker basket a quick coat of red, yellow, blue, or purple. Tie on ribbons for a girl’s room or glue on wooden car shapes for a boy.

Attach casters to a wooden piece then attach the hamper to the wood. This rolling basket works great in the garage, or for storing things in the closet. The casters and wooden piece can be found at a home improvement store and are relatively inexpensive. Paint the hamper or use as-is. You can line the basket with thick plastic for garage use or with cloth to make a prettier statement in the closet.

Paint the wicker hamper and turn it upside down. Attach a piece of glass or wood to the bottom, which is now the top, and you’ll have a cute and unique end table. If you’re using a glass top, you can also use the wicker hamper right-side-up and fill with silk flowers and reeds, coiled ribbon, or other items. Place a piece of wood or cardboard halfway down to prevent having to fill the entire hamper.

Attach the wicker hamper to a wood piece and casters, then attach a larger wooden piece on top. This arrangement makes a great portable table for a patio. Use large “S” hooks around the lip of the hamper, before adding the wooden piece, and you’ll have a place to hang the barbecue utensils. Pull the table over to the barbecue area or set stools beside the wicker hamper table to have a drink. this only works if it’s a tall hamper. Upholster the hamper, and lid, with vinyl or another waterproof material. Use the wicker hamper as a catch-all for pool toys or outdoor sporting equipment. If the hamper doesn’t have a lid use a piece of wood and hinge it to make the container complete.

Use the wicker hamper as a small table and chairs indoors, too. Forget the casters and set the wicker hamper, along with glass or wooden top, in a corner or against a wall. The set looks cute in a child’s room. If you have a wicker hamper that you no longer use, don’t throw it out – make something new!