How to make DIY Rug Baskets

INSIDE: Learn how to take any rug and turn it into a beautiful storage container! See how to make DIY Rug Baskets in a few fun steps.

Three DIY Rug Baskets

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This post has been updated since my original publish date of April 2022.

I recently partnered with one of my favorite Rug suppliers, RugsUSA. I have so many of their rugs in my home. I love the huge variety of styles and patterns and all at such affordable prices.

For this project, they tasked me to take a rug and transform it into something beautiful. After thinking and thinking, I decided I was going to try and DIY baskets out of rugs!

Check out how I used a rug to make an awesome DIY Wall Hanging!  I AM OBSESSED. 

Thin Pile Rugs

I choose these three beautiful rugs : the Iris Totem Indoor Outdoor rugFaded Stripes Fringed Gray Rug, and Temporal Medallion Tassel rug.

One of the important things to look for when selecting with rugs you want to use for this project, is picking thin pile rugs. You also want your rugs to have a somewhat sturdy backing to help one you’ve created your basket with them, that they keep their shape.

Boho Rugs

My 100% opinion on each rug I used
The tan rug was adequate, but almost too stiff.
The red middle rug was perfection.
The black/white rug was gorgeous in the end, but the fluffiness of the rug made for a huge mess during the DIY.

I would try to find low pile rugs with a stiff backing like the center red rug for this project. All these types of rugs worked, but the center rug was by far the best to work with.

Basket Rug Supplies

The supplies needed for these DIY baskets made from rugs are –

Rug Basket supplies

Rug Basket download template

I created this rug basket downloadable template PDF that you can print and cut out. Once you have this, you can tape all the pieces together and trace onto the back side of your rug. The template is essential.

Get your template here.

Rug Basket template

Once you have followed all the steps I shared at RugsUSA blog, you will have gorgeous textural baskets!

I love the soft muted red and blue colors of this rug.

Soft Red Rug Basket

However the black and white shag rug might be my very favorite. I had such a hard time cutting that rug, it was too beautiful – ha!

DIY Basket Rugs

Update – It’s been TWO YEARS since I made these baskets and I STILL LOVE THEM. They’ve held up well.

Boho Rug Baskets

If you love these DIY Rug Baskets, then you might like some of my other creative craft ideas.

And be sure to pin this fun project below to make when you gather all the supplies!

DIY Rug Baskets

And check out these other fun No Sew projects…

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4 Comments

  1. Do you still have the template availible. It was taken off the RUGS USA site:(

    1. Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention! I just added a direct link on my supply list to the template. Let me know if you have any other issues. 😉

  2. I have a ton of rugs perfect for this!! I am so excited to try this out! I’ve kept so many rugs over the years that no longer went with my current style but were still too nice to dispose of. I just knew something would come along so they’d be of use again, and you figured it out for me. I love rugs. I love baskets. Now, to put those two together. I have my next project! Squee!!!

    1. Oh this makes me so happy! It definitely helps if your rug has a sturdy backing to it. And be sure to grab the printable template I made available on RugsUSA. Good luck!! 😉

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