Turn Paper Towel Rolls Into Cute Basket Storage To Use In The Home

If you're someone who holds onto paper towel rolls because you know they'll be useful for something, this might be the project you've been waiting for. Believe it or not, those humble cardboard tubes can be turned into a really pretty basket for your home. All you'll need are scissors, glue or tape, and — of course — your stockpile of rolls. The weaving technique is accessible even for beginner crafters. And once you get the hang of it, you'll have endless eco-friendly storage for all of your knickknacks. 

If you plan to replicate this project at home, know that the consistency of the strips is an important factor in the basket's overall construction and symmetry. So it's worth getting out the ruler! You'll also want to weave tightly to help the basket stay together. And if you happen to have even sturdier cardboard to upcycle, like thick cardboard mailing tubes, use those for a stronger basket.

If you decide to get really into weaving these baskets, there are tons of different techniques (with varying levels of difficulty!) that you can try. But it's a good idea to start with a basic "over-under weave" to get a feel for the project. Start by flattening each roll and cutting it into half-inch strips. The exact number of strips you end up with doesn't matter, so long as they're even. You may want to try about 10 to start. Lay half of your strips vertically on a surface in front of you. Positioning the remainder of the strips horizontally, weave them over and under the vertical strips. It's a lot like braiding hair. This process creates the base of your basket. 

The strips at the outer end of your woven pattern will become the sides of your basket. Simply bend them upward at a 90 degree angle. Then weave them over and under one another again. (Keep in mind that you're weaving the ends of the same strips you already cut and wove for the base. You're not adding new strips!) Push the strips of cardboard close together as you weave to help make the basket sturdier. Finally, glue on an additional strip for the handle, if you'd like to. And if the strips feel a little too crackly or dry while you're folding them, you can lightly mist them with water to make them more flexible.

Once you have your upcycled basket base, there are endless ways to iterate on it to fit your home's interior. For a minimalist look, paint it white or beige and style it on a shelf with messy knickknacks tucked inside. Or, make several baskets, paint them in primary colors, and use them in your child's room for small, lightweight toy storage. In the springtime, one of these baskets would look stunning arranged with moss, grass, or even painted Easter eggs. And if you have leftover paint from your entryway walls, use it to color the basket, then place it on your entry table to collect keys and mail. You can also hot glue embellishments onto the basket to match your home's aesthetic, like looped leather handles, lace, or seashells. You can even line the inside with cotton or a thrifted handkerchief.

This project could be the perfect way to use baskets to get your yarn collection under control. Or, with a liner tucked inside, these DIY baskets also work as an affordable planter for your favorite faux plants. Use your basket to hold toilet paper rolls — one of many clever ways to use baskets to keep your bathroom organized. Or, designate it to hold magazines, books, out-of-season holiday decor, or craft supplies; because you're making it yourself, you can customize the size of it to suit whatever you plan to store. If you're feeling really creative, these baskets can serve as 3D art. Decorate them with different paint and textures and display them on your wall. And once you've used up all those paper towel rolls, consider switching to the eco-friendly paper towel alternative that's chemical-free.