It’s time for our Thrift Store Decor projects! Mine involves a thrift store basket and a leather belt. Both are so readily available at your local thrift store, or maybe even in your own home! I love shopping my home for home decor projects.
I learned some things while putting this basket project together, I’ll be sharing those as I tell you how this all came together. Be sure to check out all the other fabulous projects from the rest of the team before you jump off!
Thrift Store Basket | Leather Belt Project
I’m not sure where or when I got the basket and belt. I haven’t been thrift shopping since we shut down originally in March. I was looking for a way to rein in my linens in the camper, where space is a premium.
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First, I thought about maybe staining the thrift store basket darker, but with the color of the leather belt, I decided a bright white spray paint would be best.
Spray Painting Wicker Basket
Although, hand painting the wicker basket would give better coverage, I opted for the easy road and went with spray paint. So, IF you want good coverage I would suggest painting by hand.
Spray Paint Directions
Perhaps you’ve been spray painting projects for years, but did you know that directions vary across different brands of spray paint? This Rust-Oleum spray paint states the following:
- Dries to the touch in 20 minutes.
- Dries enough to handle in 1 hour and fully dry in 24 hours.
- Recoat within 1 hour or AFTER 48 hours.
- Apply clear 2-3 coats, several minutes apart.
Your brand of spray paint may vary. It’s always very important to read the directions, even if you’ve been spray painting projects for most of your life! 
More Tips For Spray Painting Here.
Begin With Project Upside Down
As always, I start spray painting with my project upside down. I do it this way so that if anything gets scuffed, it’s the bottom. Following the directions, I set a timer on my phone for about 20 minutes, so I could do a light second, then a third coat.
Refresh Thrift Store Leather Belt
Because I felt the leather belt was a little dull, I used a very small amount of petroleum jelly to refresh and shine up the thrift store belt. This might be a good time to give you another tip. While shopping for leather belts at the thrift store for any DIY project, I recommend that you get a belt that is stitched, or solid leather. This belt is neither. You may see it separating in a few pictures.
Decide How You Want Your Leather Belt Arranged on Your Thrift Store Basket
I knew I wanted the buckle on the front side of my thrift store basket. I placed it where I wanted it to be.
Trim Leather Belt With Scissors
Cutting the belt with scissors was very easy.
Secure Leather Belt to Basket With Glue Gun
Carefully, I applied hot glue to the very bottom of the basket and attached the leather belt. To insure the belt was in the middle, I followed the pattern of the weave and counted each row to the left and right.
Continue adding hot glue. Here’s another tip for you. When looking at a woven basket, there is generally a front and a back. Mine was dictated by the upper rim. The back has a seam in the rim where the two ends meet.
Do You Want a Handle for Your Thrift Store Basket?
I wanted to have a dual use basket, so after gluing the first side, I laid the belt down inside and up the other side of my wicker basket.
Secure Second Side and Trim Off Excess
After laying the belt in the basket and on the other side, I knew just how much to trim off before I started securing this side with hot glue.
The handle of the scissors was very handy for holding the belt in place while the hot glue set up.
Thrift Store Basket | Leather Belt Towel Organizer
Wow! Do you love the thrift store basket with leather belt as much as I do? I’m so glad I chose white paint.
Which do you like better? The handle showing, or having it tucked away? Please let me know in a comment below.
What have you used a leather belt for? More uses for leather belts.
Clever Thrift Store Project Ideas
Repurposed Yardstick Craft Idea from House Of Hawthornes
Fall Tissue Paper Art from Domestically Speaking
Thrift Store Basket | Leather Belt from My Repurposed Life
Table Top Organizer Tray from Petticoat Junktion
Bun Feet or Sofa Feet as Wood Pumpkins for Fall Decor from Sadie Seasongoods
DIY Painted College Sign from Our Southern Home
Very cute and creative.
I love this basket re-do and I like the look of the belt inside! But I also like the option of using it to carry, too!!
Thanks so much Karolyn for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
gail
Looks great, Gail- I love it tucked in, but how fun to have options!
What a cute basket! I love belt recycles!
love the basket. think i like the belt tucked in.
I love the leather detail that you added to the basket – it turned out so cute!!!
Thank You Gail, This is adorable and lots of basket in the thrift stores. Love all your projects!!
Hi Gail, this is so cute. I think I like the belt tucked into the basket only because it’s delaminating from the front. As you said get a full leather, or one that’s sewn on the sides. So my almost 4 year old grandson (it seems like yesterday that he was born and the baby will by 1 right after Halloween. I’m getting old). He wants to make it into a pumpkin, and fill it with m&ms. I said well ok, I’ll have grandpa buy little bags of m&ms to give out to the trick or treaters. He gave me a you’re not listening to me look. No bags, he said, they for me. His mother’s been saying that they might dress up and have a little kids party and not go out trick or treating. I guess this was the way to get his candy fix
hahaha kids! So cute and honest!
All the holidays are going to be a challenge this year for sure.
It sounds like your grandson has YOUR diy gene!
gail
Thanks for the spray paint info. The basket is adorable. I like it best with the handle tucked inside. Great idea!
Gail,
I love a great basket makeover and this one is just fabulous! I’ve never read the back of a spray can. Oops!!!