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How to Paint Baskets

By Anita 18 Comments

Do I start with a confession or wait until later? Hmm, maybe now is the time to admit I didn’t actually time this and it might take a bit longer, but it was still really quick. Okay I feel better!

I had a very dark basket on my wall. Now the reality is that in person it looked totally fine to me, but in the photos, it ended up looking to dark. If I didn’t have a blog I might have left it alone. But most of you visit me here, not in my actual home, so I wanted to make it a bit more inviting.

French table by iron stairs

 

And it occurred to me that you might be wanting to lighten up a basket at your house. I am sure there are many ways to do this, but I am always looking for one of easiest and fastest ways without compromising on quality. This is an approach that worked for me.

The paint I used chawk paint in the color Stanley.


So I did not take in-process photos and I will apologize for that.

The process is simple. You make a color wash, which simply put is diluted paint. So if your paint is water-based like latex or chawk paint you simply add water. The more water, the less opaque the color will be.

I used 1 part paint to 3 parts water, and then stirred it completely to incorporate the water.

Now you do need to be careful, because the paint is much more drippy. It will splash a lot, so I went outside and used a plastic sheet to protect my grass.

 

basket-detail

I brushed on a coat of paint then went to do something else. I have found that a paint wash does dry a lot quicker than just a regular coat of paint. When I came back, it needed another coat of paint so I brushed on a second coat of paint.  As you can see in the detail photo, the basket is showing through a lot. The paint is not completely covering the basket. That is what a wash does. It allows the original finish to show through in places without sanding or distressing.

 

wheat

 

Here's another close up of the basket. I did a sloppy job applying the paint. I did not worry about doing a complete job. Imperfections are encouraged! And the color wash spreads better than paint because it is thinner. And you can see the before and after below.

It is a quick project, and active time painting was close to 10 minutes (maybe 20). I did not count drying time.

This is a great way to update an baskets if you are looking for a new look. I used a gray paint but you can use a white. I used a gray paint because the wicket would naturally gray over time, so it looks pretty natural.

 

before-and-after

 

I have several more baskets I am thinking about redoing.   Just keep in mind that it will probably work best with a paint that has a flat finish like a chawk paint.

 

painted-basket-on-wall

So I know some will be concerned that they might want their basket back the way it looked before at some point. So the question becomes is it reversible? Well yes and no. I think once the paint dried, it is probably going to be difficult to remove. However, you can go over it again with another wash. So if I wanted this basket brown again, I could do the same thing again with a dark brown paint.

This is a part of our 10 Minute Decorating Series.

 

 

10-minute-decorating

I hope you will visit the other blogs joining me today.

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Filed Under: 10 minute decorating tips, chawk paint, paint, Paint Project, Project

Comments

  1. Cindy says

    February 19, 2015 at 07:16

    Wow, what a difference! Love the “after”!

    Reply
    • Catherine says

      January 14, 2017 at 07:50

      Great idea!

      Reply
  2. martina says

    February 19, 2015 at 08:23

    That’s such a pretty basket and I love the way it looks filled with the wheat! I love the before and the after…both ways look great.

    Reply
  3. JP says

    February 19, 2015 at 09:04

    I love the easy transformation, Anita….you were right to lighten it up. It looks perfect, now!
    JP

    Reply
  4. Linda says

    February 19, 2015 at 10:11

    Oh how I love the difference it made when you paint-washed the basket!!!! I may have to try that myself one day soon! You have such good taste, and a gift for decorating! I always say that, but it is certainly true! Have a great day!

    Linda

    Reply
  5. Sandy says

    March 3, 2015 at 12:24

    Love the after!

    Reply
  6. Anna says

    March 28, 2015 at 21:13

    Such a great idea! I want a bright basket so I’m going to do this with orange paint

    Happy Medley Blog

    Reply
  7. Kaitlin says

    September 25, 2015 at 08:25

    Love your railing! Where could I find something like that!?

    Reply
    • Anita says

      September 27, 2015 at 16:30

      Kaitlin, try a company that manufactures stair railing in your area.

      Reply
  8. Mary says

    August 28, 2016 at 13:37

    Love this!! Im going to paint a few of my baskets this week! Thanks 😉

    Reply
  9. Jennifer says

    January 14, 2017 at 07:16

    What a great update! I really love it when they are simple to do, thank you!

    Reply
  10. Jan Schouw says

    January 14, 2017 at 12:52

    I lik ed it so much more in the lighter color. I recently purchased your book French accents,and I kive it. The ideas on looking iat your home in a new way, is very inspiring. Thank you

    Reply
  11. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says

    January 14, 2017 at 13:46

    Anita, I love the painted basket! It looks lovely!

    Reply
  12. Bonnie says

    January 16, 2017 at 12:44

    Thanks for the good suggestions on how to paint a basket. I will be using them.

    Reply
  13. Courtney says

    January 17, 2017 at 12:52

    Where can I purchase that beautiful basket?!

    Reply
    • Anita says

      January 17, 2017 at 19:22

      Courtney, I don’t know. I bought it years, and years ago.

      Reply
  14. Terri says

    May 25, 2020 at 15:09

    That brand/color did you use — I am trying to do a picnic basket in that same color.

    Reply
    • Anita says

      May 27, 2020 at 11:41

      Terri, I wrote this so long ago that I don’t remember. I am so sorry!!! It was probably an Annie Sloan color.

      Reply

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