How to Decorate Wicker Baskets

Customize a plain wicker basket with craft items.

Wicker baskets are handy for storing personal items, displaying decorative items and holding gifts. Decorate a basic woven wicker basket to create a one-of-a-kind design. You don't have to be crafty to make an embellished basket. Use a few simple craft items to personalize baskets for gifts or home decor. Gift recipients can use the basket long after the goodies inside have disappeared.

Things You'll Need

• Wicker basket
• Embellishments such as beads, appliques or flowers
• Hot glue gun
• Florist's wire
• Liner
• Decor or gift items
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Use a hot glue gun to attach embellishments to the wicker basket. Use dried flowers, flat-backed plastic gemstones, appliques and small wood designs. Glue small candy canes to the basket to celebrate Christmas or red and pink craft foam hearts for Valentine's Day.

2. Decorate the basket with glass beads. Slip florist's wire through any size bead and twist it around the basket weaves. Choose bead colors to coordinate with a decor style or theme. Attach gold or silver-toned charms in place of or in addition to the beads.

3. Line the wicker basket with a decorative cloth or paper. Use a pastel yellow, pink, green or blue cloth napkin to create an Easter basket. Enhance the basket with brightly colored tissue paper to create a birthday basket. Use a clean red bandanna to design a rustic, country-inspired basket.

4. Fill the basket with decor or gift items. Choose seashells and sand dollars for a sea-themed basket. Decorate the basket with pine cones and twigs of red berries for a winter-inspired basket. Add a punch of color to a room with a lemon and lime-filled wicker basket. Fill a gift basket with gourmet foods items or pampering bath products, such as lotion.

5. Tie a ribbon around the handle of the basket. Coordinate the ribbon to match the basket liner or the embellishments. Use a shiny gold ribbon for an elegant look or grosgrain ribbon for a simple style. Wrap a length of ribbon around the handle or use it to tie a bow at the top.

References

• Baskets and More: Tips for Adorning or Modifying Baskets