When I saw this recycling basket in the Pottery Barn catalog I knew I could re-create it for much less. Over the holidays, I saw the recycling basket in Pottery Barn and it was used as an office filing basket. I loved it because my office has hardwood floors and is lacking storage, but this fell down on the wish list!
I already had a basket of similar size and with my anticipated new desk purchase (without drawers, but oh so pretty), I needed portable storage options. More on office makeover later. Here is the basket I had on hand.
This is what I had to purchase to make this project happen:
1 1×2 piece of oak. I paid for 2 feet (just in case). I used oak for the durability
4 casters and wheel sets. I went with the smallest option (approx 1″, maybe a little larger)
Screws ( I had flat head screws), miter saw and a drill.
That’s it. The list is so short you may not need a list (or the note app I am addicted to on my iphone). I guess-ti-mated the space for each piece of wood used to secure the screws to the basket. It took 60 seconds to cut the wood blocks for each caster.
I suggest pre-drilling the holes for the 4 blocks at the same time. When I attached my first caster, I pre-drilled the 4 holes, changed drill bits and then screwed in the 4 screws. Think assembly line system.
The trickiest part of this project is holding the caster in your right (or left) hand and holding the wood block with your left hand, while trying to line up the pre-drilled holes on your block. The block you are holding is positioned inside the basket and your other hand is holding the caster on the outside of the basket. Whew.. there’s a few fragments in that sentence. Now, try and line those up AND take a photo! Kidding! Here’s another tip.. make sure your screws are long enough to maneuver through the basket weave and still hit the block!
It takes maybe 30 minutes start to finish. And, I love it! Here is the finished basket:
Here’s a floor shot to check out the wheels on the bottom of the basket. I was on the floor, on my side, in the doorway with my camera when I took this photo. My son walks past me and he’s like, “blog thing, mom?” No doubt.
I am really happy with this Pottery Barn knockoff basket.
What a fantastic idea – I never would have thought of inserting wood on the inside to secure the screws – duh moment definitely!!!
Thanks so much for sharing –
Visiting from Craftionary
Hugs,
Suzan
Love how it turned out! What a great project! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity at Mom On Timeout!
Looks fabulous and for a fraction of the price!
Gotta love that!
Thanks for sharing – have a blessed week!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Darn, I love this and I left some very similar baskets at the thrift store yesterday :(!
Actually, I’m beginning to think you ARE a trophy wife. 😀 Love it! Thanks for sharing.
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I wish :0)… well, actually I don’t, well somedays :0)