DIY Belly Basket Makeover
Are you looking for an easy way to add colorful design to your home? This belly basket makeover is the perfect project for you! It’s budget-friendly and you probably already have most of the supplies on-hand!
I am becoming a little more skilled as a DIY’er, but I still love a quick and easy project to give me a sense of accomplishment when I’m working on things around our house! I also have a hard time leaving things along…especially when they do not quite do it for me or match my eclectic design aesthetic.
When I first bought this belly basket, I was purchasing it thinking that I would use it for one of my design clients. I ended up transitioning my business to virtual design, though, so I did not need props for clients anymore. No big deal, though, because I can always use another basket around the house. Does that sound familiar??
I ended up using the basket by putting a not-so-pretty plant pot into it that held my decades-old snake plant—and loved it! Until I didn’t. The basket started feeling really boring and stark to me. Do not get me wrong…it still looked nice and would be perfect for a more neutral home, but my house needs to be fun, colorful, and full of pattern!
Well…it took me getting some new acrylic craft paints from ColorShot to actually give the belly basket a much-needed makeover! Side note: I’m not telling you what to do, but if you have been itching to do a project… 1. Do it! 2. Get yourself some of this paint! it comes in so many colors, the price is fantastic, and the possibilities are endless!
I did not have a plan for exactly what I wanted to do for the makeover, so I searched Pinterest to find a pattern that I liked. I ended up landing on a design by Spoonflower—Lighthearted Pastel Large Scale. I love brush stroke designs and this one is full of color too!
I did know that I wanted to change out the tassels on the basket because they seemed really wimpy to me. Luckily, I am a craft supply hoarder (you too?) and have a stash of yarn I have bought at the thrift store!
I have also been noticing all the cute baskets, like these Pompom Wicker Baskets from Urban Outfitters, with pompom accents…and I had to add those too! Again…I thrifted a whole bunch of new old-stock pompoms a while back, and I decided to use a few of them on this project!
Paint Brushes – In assorted sizes
Yarn – You can use any colors you want. I chose black b/c I wanted it to pop against all the colors!
Piece of Cardboard
Step 1:
Pick the paint colors you want to add and which ones you want to be the most prominent. For the colors you want to see the most, use bigger brushes to add them to the basket.
Step 2:
Working one color at a time, add brushstrokes scattered around the basket. You can always add more…but can’t take away, so work slowly and think out where you want to place the brushstrokes. Go all the way around the basket before you add another color.
Step 3:
As you add the colors, vary the sizes of brush you use so that you get a varied design. Also, for your last 1 or 2 colors, use a small paint brush to fill in gaps or spaces that need a bit more color.
Step 4:
Make 2 new tassels and thread them onto the basket handle. I need to create a visual tutorial for how to make tassels, but for now, I’ll try to describe it. Cut a piece of cardboard to the length you want your tassels to be. Notch out openings on either side of the cardboard toward the top. Unwind several yards of yarn and begin wrapping it vertically around the cardboard—don’t cut it until you have the thickness of tassel that you want. Using your scissors, cut a piece of yarn long enough to weave under all the yarn at the top—loop it under all the yarn on your cardboard (at the top) and tie it tightly in a knot (trim off the extra). Cut another piece of yarn long enough to tie around the yarn where your cardboard is notched—tie it tightly in a knot. Connect your tassels by looping the end of a length of yarn through the top of one tassel, tie in a knot, trim the extra—then do the same thing with the other end of the yarn and your second tassel. Attach to basket handle.
Image courtesy of BrePurposed Blog
Step 5:
Add pompoms. I used 3 groupings of 3 pompoms and attached them using a hot glue gun. I glued the 3 pompoms together first and then glued that group onto the basket. You can do 3 groups across like I did or create your own pattern!
This project is seriously so easy! I’ve been looking at this plain belly basket for so long, wishing that it was more in-line with my colorful design aesthetic. All it took was a little paint, yarn, and less than an hour to do! If you’ve been looking for a quick, easy, and budget-friendly DIY project, this one is perfect!
The makeover even makes my plants look better! The basket holds a different plant now, but it gives it that extra something special!
If you decide to try it for yourself, I would love if you’d post it on Instagram >>> @hilaryprall and tag me so I can see!
Want to save a little money this holiday season, but still want your home to look cozy and festive? Go to the thrift store! There are so many great pieces there, you just need to have a vision for them—that’s what I’m here for!