Repurpose An Old Garden Hose To Give Your Storage Baskets A Clever Upgrade

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Who doesn't love a beautiful woven basket? More than just décor, baskets are excellent for keeping an organized home. They can be used for storing things like stuffed animals, kitchen essentials, and even extra rolls of toilet paper. But if you use them for heavier items, the basket handles can sometimes break, making them not as convenient to carry around. Turns out, an old garden hose is the perfect match for a handleless basket. You can easily transform one into thick DIY handles that'll give your basket a serious upgrade.

It's important to have a garden hose that's in good working condition and not leaking. Typically, they last between five to 10 years, although there are factors that can affect this — such as how often one is used, if it's stored away from the elements, and if it's properly cared for. When a hose has seen better days, it can be repurposed around the garden. Or, you can cut it into pieces to craft unique basket handles. Water hoses are durable tools usually made of rubber, polyurethane, or vinyl. Although one may begin to crack after some time, it can still be strong enough for other DIY projects.

For starters, grab yourself a woven basket, or create a DIY storage basket at home. You're also going to need some cordage to help make the handles. Ultimately, you're going to be wrapping the hose with it, so you want cordage that will look nice with your basket, such as this PerkHomy Natural Jute Twine from Amazon. Finally, you'll also need some heavy-duty glue.

Begin by slicing off a large portion of the hose and removing the metal end. Next, hold the hose up to the basket in order to gauge how long you'll need for a handle. You'll want to start from the bottom of the basket when measuring. Also, decide if you want to create a giant handle or one for each side. Cut the hose to the correct size you'll need.

Add some glue to the end of the hose piece and begin wrapping the cordage around it. Keep adding glue until you get a couple of sections secured. Now, continue wrapping the hose tightly, making sure that there aren't gaps between the cordage. Do this until the handle is completely covered, then secure the opposite end with glue as well. The last thing to do is attach the handle (or handles) to your basket. You can do so with a strong adhesive like Gorilla Max Strength Construction Adhesive.

These DIY handles can make any basket look even more stylish — plus, they're more comfortable than the typical woven kind. Customize yours by selecting a cordage that fits your style basket, whether you want country chic or modern. Since the handles will give the piece more strength, it'll be helpful for storing and moving items that are slightly heavier, such as toys and sporting equipment. And with how long a hose is, you'll have enough to give all your storage baskets an upgrade. Who would've thought an old garden hose could be so versatile?