A metal kitchen pot from the thrift store becomes a sturdy DIY basket using a little glue and sisal rope from the craft store. Learn how to construct this easy project that is perfect for decorative storage, gift baskets, or displaying plants.
CREATE | Updated March 21, 2025
There’s an art to looking at what we already have and seeing it not for what it is, but for what it could be.
In a world that encourages us to buy more, replace often, and discard the old, there is something deeply satisfying about taking an item past its prime and giving it a new story to tell.
An old kitchen pot, dented and forgotten, might seem destined for the discard pile. But with a little imagination, a bit of twine, and a few simple tools, it can be transformed — reborn as something both beautiful and useful as a decorative storage basket.
This is how a house becomes a home: creating warmth and character not from what we buy, but from what we make with our own hands.
So before you rush out to buy another basket for storage or display, let me show you how to create your own DIY home décor, using nothing more than what you already have or could pick up secondhand.
Why Make Your Own Décor Instead of Buying New?
Eager to create but mindful of adding to my ever-growing collection of thrifted finds, I skipped the trip to the store and turned instead to a pile of items destined for Goodwill. It was an opportunity to rediscover value in something being discarded. Best of all, it cost nothing but a little imagination.
A simple sauce pot caught my eye. I turned it over in my hands, considering what it could become, how it could be shaped into something useful. What could I use to transform it into some decorative?
In a world where home décor is mass produced, trendy, and often disposable, there’s something fulfilling about creating with your own hands. Choosing to make rather than buy isn’t just about saving money—it’s about embracing a way of living that values creativity, resourcefulness, and individuality.
Handmade Has Heart
A store-bought basket is just that—a basket. But a basket you’ve made yourself carries a story. It holds the time, effort, and care you put into its creation. Every handmade piece adds a layer of character to your home that can’t be replicated by something off the shelf.
Repurposing is Sustainable
Instead of tossing old or outdated items into the landfill, repurposing gives them a second life. It’s a simple yet impactful way to reduce waste and be mindful of what we bring into our homes. Why throw away an old pot when, with a little creativity, it can become something entirely new?
Unique Over Mass Produced
When you make your own DIY home décor, you’re not limited to what’s trending in stores. You can create something one-of-a-kind — something that fits your space and style perfectly. A handmade home tells a story that no factory ever could.
Budget-Friendly and Resourceful
Home décor can be expensive. But making your own allows you to achieve a high-end look without the high-end cost. By using what you already have—or items you can thrift for next to nothing—you can create décor that looks like it belongs in a designer home for a fraction of the price.
The Joy of Creating
There’s a special satisfaction in stepping back and admiring something you’ve made with your own hands. Crafting, repurposing, and DIY projects bring a sense of accomplishment and joy that purchasing never can. It’s not just about the finished piece—it’s about the process, the creativity, and the confidence that comes with making something beautiful from almost nothing.
What You'll Need to Transform an Old Pot into a Basket
Wrapped in a little sisal, this old pot had the potential to become a sturdy, functional storage basket with character and charm. Here is what you’ll need if you’d like to upcycle your own discarded pots and pans.
- Old Metal Pot or Pan: Keep an eye out for pots and pans at the thrift store that look unsuitable for cooking. Those have the patina and wear that will give character to the inside of your basket and contrast nicely with the sisal wrapping. Any height or size pot will work well for this project.
- 1/4 inch twisted sisal rope: A rough texture in a natural color to wrap around the pot. If you can’t find 1/4”, try looking for 3/8” sisal.
- Hot Glue: You can use ordinary craft glue, but it is harder to keep the sisal on the pot until it dries.
- Jute Twine: Optional, if you’d like to add handles onto your pot.
Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a DIY Basket from a Secondhand Pot
STEP 1: Remove the handles from the side of the pot. They are likely held on with a screw. For this particular pot, there were metal pieces attached to the pot that went inside the handles. I hammered these until they were folded back against the pot. Your pan may or may not have these.
STEP 2: Using a hot glue gun, wrap the sisal around the pot, gluing every so often to attach it securely to the metal. The pot I was using had a lip around the top, so I started gluing the sisal on just under it.
STEP 3: Wind the sisal down to the bottom of the pot, then cut it wherever you want the back of your basket to be.
STEP 4: If you feel like your basket looks a little plain, you may want to attach “handles.” Cut two sisal pieces at a length that will allow a loop rising above the top of the pot. Stitch the handles onto the sides of the pot with the jute twine.
In about 15 minutes, your basket should be complete. It is an easy DIY project that anyone can do with a random pot or baking pan you might find or have on hand.
This is more than just a craft project; it is an invitation to see what’s inside your home differently — to embrace the imperfect, the timeworn, the overlooked, and shape them into something meaningful.
Creative Ways to Use Your Handmade Basket
There are so many uses for this creative DIY basket depending on the pot you choose. Consider the different uses for large or small pots and pans, as well as baking or loaf pans.
- Hold hand towels or washcloths in the bathroom or organize makeup and supplies in the closet.
- Place a potted plant inside or use as a planter for herbs in the kitchen.
- Store remote controls, chargers, and magazines for stylish storage in the living room.
- In a mudroom or entryway, stash scarves, gloves and hats for easy access.
- Corral small children’s toys for quick cleanup.
- Choose a tall stockpot to transform into a trash can that is sturdy and adds great texture.
- Repurpose a 9”x13” baking pan using the same method to create an inbox for papers in your home office.
- Fill with food or other themed gifts and use as a special handmade gift basket wrapped in cellophane.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sisal rope and jute twine?
Both are natural fibers made of woven strands. The main difference in this project is that sisal has a much rougher texture than the jute twine. It is also much stronger. Jute comes in more colors because it is easier to dye.
Are there other options than the natural color sisal?
While typical sisal rope only comes in this natural shade, there are a few colored options available online sold as replacement rope for cat scratchers. There is a dark brown shade manila hemp, green sisal, natural white sisal, gray sisal, and orange sisal. All would make lovely baskets depending on your style preferences.
So before you head to the store for another basket, tray, or storage bin, take a look around. What do you already own that could be transformed? Because the most beautiful homes aren’t filled with things—they’re filled with creativity, care, and the stories we weave into every corner.
More DIY Ideas to Repurpose Everyday Items
Joanna Gaines Inspired DIY Dutch Tulip Crate - A broken old wood crate is transformed into a realistic looking Dutch tulip box
Candlesticks Made from Glass Bud Vases
Repurposed Outdoor Side Table - Created with an unwanted metal plant stand.
Rustic DIY Cake Stand - Made from a vintage pie tin and wood candlestick.
Kitchen Word Art - Repurposing old cutting boards and wood letters from the craft store to craft unique decor for the heart of the home.
Loaf Pan Storage Containers
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**This post was originally published on August 27, 2014.