Laundry Love
Banish plastic and add style with painted cane and wicker baskets.
A paint project DIY makeover of cane and wicker baskets.
Reduce plastic in your home and make it more planet-friendly with stylishly painted cane or wicker laundry baskets. Look for sturdy second-hand baskets in op shops or online. These baskets are typically woven using fast-growing plants such as bamboo, rattan, seagrass and cane, making them naturally sustainable.
Painting the baskets adds a protective coat that will make them stronger and more functional for use in the laundry. Paint also enables you to give several different baskets a cohesive look, and to match the colour scheme to your décor. Add a set of super practical, eco-friendly stainless steel clothes pegs to use with your new basket.
YOU NEED
Second-hand laundry and washing baskets
Resene Lustacryl waterborne enamel in colours of your choice
Several medium-sized paintbrushes Black marker pen
Dropcloth and damp cloth
Step 1
Ensure your basket is clean and free of dust. Use a marker pen to draw two slightly overlapping half circles around the base.
Step 2
Using the neutral shade, paint the top area of the basket area. Use a mediumsized brush and apply the Resene paint from different angles using the tip to push the paint into the weave. Allow the baskets to dry overnight before applying the second coat.
Step 3
Using a fresh brush, apply the second paint colour to the base and one of the marked out half-circles. Use the damp cloth to wipe unwanted drips or dribbles. Allow to dry.
Step 4
Paint the second half-circle shape using the third paint colour. Recoat the shapes as necessary and tidy up any edges. Allow to fully dry before use.
Before
Choose a basic neutral paint colour, then add extra colour and whimsy using a simple two-tone pattern. I used Resene White Pointer with the grey Resene Chicago and the muted, smoky Resene Blue Bayoux.