How to Make Decorative Storage Bins Out of Berry Baskets

Children often have tons of small toys that inevitably drive their parents crazy when attempting to store them. This project will give you an inexpensive way to keep those small toys off of the floor (and consequently out from under your bare feet when you walk around your home) while also keeping them neat and organized.

The following project involves using inexpensive and sometimes even free items such as berry baskets, paint, ribbons and other optional items to make decorative storage containers perfect for stowing small toys.

Begin the project by procuring berry baskets, the plastic mesh-like tubs used to hold strawberries and other berries. You can save your own or possibly get them from a supermarket if you ask one of the employees.

When you have gathered several of the berry baskets be sure to wash them thoroughly with hot, soapy water before you use them as residue from fruit will quickly attract gnats and promote mold growth. After you wash the baskets, rinse them with cool water and allow them to air dry before undertaking the next step.

After the baskets have dried you are free to use them as is if you choose or you can paint them. Spray paint comes in a variety of colors and makes it easy for you to paint the plastic mesh-like panels of berry baskets. Using metallic spray paint will make for a particularly pretty storage box. If you wish to use spray paint, spray each basket with one coat of colored spray paint. Allow the colored spray paint time to dry and then spray the basket with a coat of protective clear coat spray paint.

If you wish to really get involved in this project use stencils and spray paint designs on the basket in varying colors and allow them to dry before you spray on the coat of protective clear coat paint.

After the paint has dried your baskets are ready for further decoration. Allow your imagination to run wild when decorating. You can easily cut strips of ribbon and attach them to the baskets to make streamers. You may also put small, metallic or shiny stickers on the basket.

When you have finished decorating the baskets will be ready to use. The holes in the baskets are small enough to keep most toys inside but are large enough to allow you to see inside them and easily identify the contents.

This project is also great for keeping multiple children occupied at sleepover, holiday and birthday parties if you provide a wide variety of craft supplies and encourage each child to use their creativity and customize their baskets. If the party is long enough for the baskets to dry, the finished baskets will be great for the children to carry home other party favors.