Vintage Picnic Basket Makeover

While visiting my favorite new thrift store, I found a $2 vintage picnic basket and a $5 side table. The picnic basket was far from perfect, but well worth two bucks, right?

I suppose it’s in pretty good shape, considering its age. The style caught my eye. I didn’t have a plan for the picnic basket, so I set it aside for a couple of weeks.

Inspect Your Project | Make Repairs

I used fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out the top of the vintage picnic basket.

I’m not sure what material this wicker basket is made from. Did you know that “wicker” is a technique, not a material? So, technically this is a woven basket using some kind of wood strips. One of those strips was broken, so I used scissors to snip off the rough piece.

Prepare Your Project for Painting

Although water is usually bad for wood, sometimes you just have no choice but to prepare your project for painting. My best advice is to only use the hose when absolutely necessary, being careful not to oversaturate the wood. Lastly, it’s best to do this on a sunny day to dry the wood quickly.

Spray Paint Vintage Picnic Basket

I’m going to keep it real, folks. I chose spray paint because I thought it would be quick and easy. It was neither of those. The wood soaked up the paint terribly, and I used almost two cans of spray paint on this vintage picnic basket makeover!

I painted the inside so it would be brighter when storing small items.

Tip from Gail: To make spray painting easier, raise your project off the ground. Don’t be tempted to open a cardboard box or lay a tarp on the ground. Raising your project will give you better coverage and save your back.

White Vintage Picnic Basket

The wood on the vintage picnic basket lid and handles did not take well to the spray paint. I’m okay with that because I have a plan. In addition, the basket is very old, and I did not intend to make it look new.

Adding a Furniture Transfer

Do you recognize this transfer? I used it on the Half Moon Table Makeover.

I laid the transfer on the top of the vintage picnic basket, then trimmed the transfer to fit.

It’s easier on my old hands to use this large wooden spurtle to rub the transfer paper to adhere it to the project. It’s much more substantial than the tongue depressor that comes with the Sunflower Farms Transfer.

Tip from Gail: A site like camelcamelcamel.com tracks the price of any item on Amazon. It will give you the price history to see if it has been cheaper, allowing you to wait on your purchase. You can even set an alert to get a message when the price drops.

I prefer to cut away the plastic film while working through the project.

I cut the transfer that was applied over the hinged lid with an exacto knife and then rubbed it around the hinges.

Vintage Picnic Basket (After)

I absolutely love how the transfer transformed the old picnic basket. It’s hard to believe it’s the same wicker basket, right?

Do you think the design of this picnic basket was intentional that the handle holds the lid open? It would make it easier to put food and utensils in and out.

What Can You Store in a Vintage Picnic Basket?

• Extra Linens
• Blankets and Throws
• Toys
• Dog Toys and Accessories
• Art Supplies
• Knitting or Crochet Project
• Craft Supplies

I hope you are inspired by my project and the bonus projects from my friends below. Thank you for sharing this article on your favorite social media channel. Pin It!

More Great Thrift Store Projects:

• Vintage Picnic Basket Makeover (You are here, thank you)
• Create Your Own Bottle Trees
• Repurposed Rustic Table Centerpiece
• Art Makeover With Mod Podge
• How to Repurpose a Paint Can
• Upcycled Bundt Pan Pumpkin
• Upcycle Idea For Under Cabinet Paper Towel Holder