Rope Planter Basket from a Garbage Can
Hi friends, I'm excited to join forces with a group of talented bloggers in a monthly series. You know I like to save a buck where I can, and I'm a huge fan of thrift stores or any other thrifty place to buy stuff at huge discounts. For my first project in this new group I'm going to show you how I made a Rope Planter Basket from an 80's leather covered garbage can.
You're going to love this project and how easy it is! And you'll also find a ton of inspiration in all the wonderful projects linked up below. Be sure to out their projects by clicking on the images in the links at the bottom.

The Rules:
- Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
- There's no monthly theme.
- There's no budget to stick to.
Meet the Hosts
Amanda | The Kolb Corner Maureen | Red Cottage Chronicles Kim | Made in a Day
Dru | Polka Dot Poplars Erlene | My Pinterventures Colleen | Life on Kaydeross Creek Pili | Sweet Things
Shirley | Intelligent Domestications Ann | Duct Tape and Denim Debra | Shoppe No. 5 Marie | DIY Adulation
Chelsea | The Johnsons Plus Dog Jes | My DIY Envy Lindsay | Crazy Organized
Molly | Just a Little Creativity Ashley | 3 Little Greenwoods Kimm | Reinvented Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Ali | Home Crafts by Ali Sue | A Purdy Little House Sara | Twelve on Main
Claire | Pillar Box Blue Chelc | Inside the Fox Den Kim | Farmhouse Made Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled
Sherry | Savvy Apron Jennifer and Vicki | 2 Bees in a Pod Lora | Craftivity Designs Megan | C'mon Get Crafty
Denise | My Thrifty House Toni | Girl, Just DIY Deborah | Salvage Sister and Mister
Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!
Last Summer I was in our local Hospice Thrift Store looking for a garbage can for our home office. Of course I wanted one I could make over and was thrilled to I found this red-leather covered garbage can for $5. It bet it was part of one of those executive sets with a matching pencil cup.

It sat in the garage for many months before I finally decided what I wanted to do to give it a new updated look.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of
my links I may earn a small commission.
Supplies to make your own Rope Planter
- Waste Basket
- 2 packages of ¼" Manila Rope
- Low heat glue gun
- Scissors
- Real or Faux ficus
Rope Planter Basket - The Transformation
I had picked up a few packages of ¼" Manila Rope in 50 ft. lengths and when I saw it in the drawer I knew it would be perfect. Along with my handy glue gun this was sure to be a quick transformation.
I set the garbage can on the counter to get started and here's the easy steps I took so you can make yours:
- Depending on the size of your basket you'll need 1-2 packages of 50' rope.
- Apply hot glue to the rope with a low heat glue gun and press it against the side of the garbage can.
- Low heat guns can save your fingers
- Continue applying the glue continuously with very little gap until the bottom row is fully attached.

- When you're ready to start the second layer press it down tightly over the starting end of the rope. This will ease into the second layer for a smooth look.
- From that point forward apply the glue directly to the garbage can. Secure it four or five times each rotation.

- At the very top row glue the rope all around the edge with very little gaps in the glue.

- Glue one last layer of rope onto the very top.
- Be sure to cut the end of the rope at an angle and push the ends into some dabs of glue so they don't stick up.

Give your basket a little trimming with scissors if it looks a little furry when you're done.
That's it, super easy right? Now that it's wrapped with rope it really has a Coastal feel to it, doesn't it? I don't have much coastal decor in my home but I have made other projects that have that coastal vibe.
More Coastal Vibe Projects - Coastal Coaster Makeover - Beachy Serving Tray
Seagrass Painted Rug
Rope Planter Basket - The Reveal
The faux ficus looks fantastic in the new rope Planter Basket by the window!

Lovely! And with the cost of the rope I think my new rope planter basket didn't cost more than $10.

I hope you enjoyed learning to make a Rope Planter Basket and my first contribution to the series. Don't forget to pin it to your favorite Decor Board.
And please visit my friends' projects below for more thrifty inspiration.
And now for more thrifty goodness!
Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!
If you liked this project with Rope you might also enjoy:
- Hanging Light from a Basket (wrapped with Jute twine)
- Beachy Serving Tray Makeover (with Jute twine handles)





It's amazing how much more high end that looks just after the rope!
That is music to my ears Megan, the best compliment you can give a DIYer 🙂
Super clever idea Toni! Looks right at home there! Love that it's so simple but really packs a punch!
Thank you friend, you are so sweet!
Great makeover. I love working with rope and twine, so this is right up my alley.
Thanks Erlene, I love it too, there are so many cool things you can make with it!
Toni, this is so adorable! I love the texture it adds, gotta get me some rope!!
Yes Kim, you need to buy all the rope and rope all the things 😀
Hi Toni,
Looking good. The rope basket goes beautifully with the other items in your room.
Love the basket, the chair, the rug, the plant.
LOVE it all!
You are so sweet Julie, thank you!
I love this!!! It looks fabulous. Great job! 🙂
Thank you Chelsea, I need to find some more old baskets that I can transform now 🙂
Lovely job, Toni. I have so many baskets I can use this idea to update. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sweet Susie, just like paint you can create a cohesive look of different baskets with rope or twine 🙂
I want this! It would look fabulous in our living room with my peace lily inside.
What an awesome thrift store upcycle! Thanks so much for the DIY inspiration!
{BIG hugs}
~ Ashley
Ashley, I love peace lillies and I bet it would be fantastic looking. I'm so glad it inspired you! Big hugs back 🙂
I love this look. I have so many ugly garbage cans, that I could transform. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
So cool Sue, get that manila rope and glue gun ready!
The price of big planters always gives me sticker shock -- this is a really smart way to create an affordable planter.
Thanks Lora, I can't stomach the cost of some of the big planters either.
I love how this looks. It is so stylish. Now I will be on the hunt for a nice waste basket.
Debra thank you so much. Yes, keep your eye peeled for seriously outdated baskets, they are out there and they need our help.
You're so clever and it looks amazing in your home! It is so natural and matches your decor perfectly!
Thanks Janine! That original waste basket would never have worked.
This came out so great! I did a large floor vase like this some years back. I may need one like this. Looks store bought, love it.
Kim
Wow Kim, thanks so much! That is the highest compliment a DIYer can receive 🙂
Wow! What a difference the rope made. I've got so many ideas now thanks to you.
Thanks Dru, go and rope all the things 🙂
Oh why I didn't think about this when I threw away my husband's when we moved? I'm pulling my hair right now! It looks so beautiful
Thank you Pili, isn't it always the way? We find a plan for it after we tossed it.
Toni, I want to make one of these for my bathroom! Thank you for the inspiration!! It looks just lovely with the plant!
Yay, you are going to love it. I hope you find the perfect outdated can as your subject!
Great upcycle, the planter looks really good. It reminds me of one my mum had in the 1970's when she was into the rustic look, we also had hessian (burlap) on the walls then.
Haha, they called it reed grass wallpaper here, we never had that but lots of macrame plant hangers (which are making a comeback). I was pretty good at making them, I think I need to try one again soon. Thanks for visiting, I can't wait to see your project.
What a clever idea! I love it.
Thank you Deborah, that plant needed a little something extra to class it up since it came in a not so impressive too small tin.
Great upcycle Toni! Visiting from Thrift Store Challenge.
Thanks Victoria, I'm heading over to see your project now!
I love the transformation! I see things like that basket at the thrift stores all the time!
Thank you Amanda, I'm really happy with it. I bet you won't pass up another dated basket again 🙂 And thanks for inviting me to join the party!