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DIY Rolling Laundry Cart ~ Step-by-Step Tutorial

What sane person doesn’t want extra storage in their house, right? I mean, the kind that looks good AND serves a purpose. I know I’m not the only one here tired of plastic bins and tubs scattered about. Check out this thrifted find. I spied it from a mile away because I LOVE BASKETS. However, this one is about to become a DIY rolling laundry cart. Stay with me now.

Thrifted Basket Before Makeover by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

At first glance, this is pretty and really nothing wrong with it except for the busted/missing leather hinge straps and general wear.

Broken Leather Hinges on Thrifted Basket | prodigalpieces.com

In addition, it came with a liner that I had removed and was in the process of cleaning. The shiny, orangey wicker didn’t do it for me and my love of farmhouse style. So…I decided to take it up a notch. As in…paint. Don’t faint now, I’m not painting the entire thing, rather giving it a wash to deflect the shiny and create texture.

TIME FOR PAINT

First, I use my paint brush and a soft white paint to dry brush the basket. What’s dry brush you say?

It’s where you’re moving around paint with a brush that has only enough paint on it to slightly wet it. You’re not soaking your brush to get full coverage. All you need is a smidgen of paint and follow the flow of the basket lines to brush it on. Keep it light and brush it out.

How to Whitewash a Basket with a Dry Brush Technique Demonstrated by Prodigal Pieces on DIY Rolling Laundry Cart | prodigalpieces.com

After about 30 minutes, the paint has cured enough that I can continue. Because I wanted this DIY rolling laundry cart to actually roll (hahaha), I add some casters. Also, if you don’t know me enough already, I add casters to most anything. Why not? It makes life easier – trust me.

So, how does one go about adding casters to a basket? Well, it’s pretty simple. This method never fails me as I do it all the time to wire baskets, wicker, anything! You just need a stash of zip ties (aka. cable ties) and some cute swivel casters with plates.

Zip Ties to Attach Casters to DIY Rolling Laundry Cart by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

To get the casters on I simply stick the right size and color zip tie through the weaving, making sure to wrap it around a couple strands of basket for strength. While you’re at it, leave them poking out where the holes of the casters would be.

Basket with Zip Ties for Casters for DIY Rolling Laundry Cart by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Then, simply pull through the caster holes and tighten down. Last, use a pair of scissors to snip the excess off and you’re done!

Cutting Zip Ties on DIY Rolling Laundry Cart | prodigalpieces.com

TEXTURE

Now time to add a bit of dimension to the whitewashed layer we created. I didn’t want this to look like a brand spankin’ new basket, so I grabbed my old paint brush to add a light coat of wax here and there.

Once that’s complete, it’s time to put the lid back on this DIY rolling laundry cart. Thankfully, I had scrap leather left over from my Pottery Barn bench knock-off, so I just cut a couple of pieces and grabbed my Crop-A-Dile.
Creating Leather Hinges with Crop-A-Dile for DIY Rolling Laundry Cart by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Here’s the steps to get it attach using eyelets:

Steps to Attach Eyelets to Leather to DIY Rolling Laundry Cart | Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

  1. Punch the leather with the size punch of your choosing on the Crop-A-Dile
  2. Insert an eyelet making sure it is in both layers of leather
  3. Press the eyelet with the Crop-A-Dile to attach

Easy-peasy! Likewise, I love to add eyelets in my paper creations as well as fabric, like my feed sack purse. They’re fun!

Leather Hinge made with Eyelets and Crop-A-Dile by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Finally, one last thing to add to this makeover. We have the DIY part, we have the rolling part, now we need the laundry part, right? Last, to add a bit more flair, I cut out a piece of scrap luan (thin plywood) from my stash with my jig saw and used my transfer method to create a graphic. Then, I hand-painted it in and attached the sign with zip ties too. Seriously, aren’t zip ties awesome?!

THE REVEAL

And our basket complete DIY rolling laundry cart is done. I love it!

Farmhouse Laundry Cart complete with DIY steps by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

The liner was in excellent shape. All I did was launder it and give it a refresh. Also, the roses make this piece so pretty, doesn’t it? I was tempted to make a ticking lining, but decided to just leave it as is.

Shabby Chic Style Laundry Cart with Liner by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Liner in DIY Laundry Rolling Cart Basket | prodigalpieces.com

In addition, the leather hinges I created make the basket functional again and add a sort of rustic feel.

Hinged Laundry Basket with Leather Straps. DIY Rolling Laundry Cart by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

The extra touch of the sign just makes it something fun to look at. And who knows? Maybe the kids will actually put their dirty clothes in there…right? That is if they are old enough to read – ha!

Hand-Painted Cottage Style DIY Rolling Laundry Cart by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Baskets in all shapes and sizes are a pure addiction of mine. It’s easy to see why – they have endless uses! Do you agree?

Basket of Roses by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

As much as I’d like to keep this gem, I have decided to offer it in my shop. Someone better purchase it fast before I choose to keep it! hee hee hee.

  • Magic Linen Beige Waffle Blanket available at Prodigal Pieces | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #bedding
    Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130

SHARE

Additionally, pin and share this simple tutorial for a DIY rolling laundry cart. These things make life so much simpler!

Create a DIY Rolling Laundry Cart with a thrifted basket. Full details at Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Meanwhile, stay tuned and be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!

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Also, more projects like my DIY rolling laundry cart:

How to Make your Own Log Candlestick Set by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.comBuild a DIY "Thankful" sign perfect for the holiday season out of new or reclaimed wood by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Comments

  1. Rebecca - Knoxville,TN says

    Zip ties! Who-da thunk? That’s genius. Love it, Fantastic makeover!

  2. Cecilia says

    I love baskets too! They are hard to resist! ?
    I’m glad you kept the rose liner – it is so pretty! Plus using zip ties is pure genius! You always have the best ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    • Larissa says

      Yay! Yes, was keeping the rose liner, but debated on making a ticking one too. Both are my favorite patterns.

  3. Lee Oliverio says

    I love it! I’m staring at a similar basket right now and you’ve completely inspired me – this old basket is getting a makeover!

  4. gwen says

    thinking of my garage-sale laundry basket – can’t wait to do something with it! thanks for the great ideas! LOVE yours!

  5. Janice says

    Beautiful job as always.

  6. Sherry says

    The liner is gorgeous! I like the “crop-a-dile”…a new idea that I can keep keep in mind! You do such good work. I love your blog and you have such a good imagination to see “good” in pieces of junk that are on the curb. You GO, girl!

    • Larissa says

      You are so awesome, Sherry. Thank you for the encouragement.

  7. Patty Soriano says

    Larissa, first let me say that I appreciate your continued prayers for Texas. I’m watching too much tv and internet about the horror, so it’s nice to take my thoughts and eyes away from that and skip over to see your talents at work. I LOVE these baskets and buy them whenever I see them in all sizes. I never would have thought about putting casters on them, and using the plastic ties are a brilliant idea. Loving this idea!

    • Larissa says

      You bet. It’s the least I could do, Patty. Yes, so much to fret over for sure. Thank you for the love!

  8. Jauquetta says

    Love what you did, I’m so tired of that orangy color! The white wash soothed it out.
    Thank for your prayers for Texas, this area is where I grew up, so distressing. Am old enough to have been in hurricane Carla. We rowed into downtown Port Lavaca to see family. I remember all the snakes in the water.

    • Larissa says

      You said it. That orange had to go! hahaha. Thanks, Jauquetta. Sorry to hear how this is affecting you. Continued prayers for all.

  9. Kelly Mahan says

    I really love this laundry cart, it looks just like the one my grandma had. Thank you for the instructions!!

  10. Elaine says

    That turned out adorable! I love the zip tie idea.

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Client Love

I love it! Larissa is amazing. She listened to what I wanted and then she took care of the rest! This is my second piece I've bought from her and I'm in love! I highly recommend her.

~ Laurel

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:34:13-04:00

~ Laurel

I love it! Larissa is amazing. She listened to what I wanted and then she took care of the rest! This is my second piece I've bought from her and I'm in love! I highly recommend her.

I love this cart, it's exquisite. The item was received in extremely secure packaging, no damage to the item. The delivery person was very professional and courteous. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces is so very amazing. A rating of 10 is deserved. Thank you, Larissa.

~ Stephanie

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:39:34-04:00

~ Stephanie

I love this cart, it's exquisite. The item was received in extremely secure packaging, no damage to the item. The delivery person was very professional and courteous. Larissa of Prodigal Pieces is so very amazing. A rating of 10 is deserved. Thank you, Larissa.

I should have left this review MONTHS ago! I absolute love this lunch bag. I honestly carry this 5 days a week. It is the perfect size! Not only can you put your lunch in it, it can also hold your book. I enjoy reading at lunch, so I have all I need in one cute bag. Thank you so much Larissa!

~ Mikki

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:43:16-04:00

~ Mikki

I should have left this review MONTHS ago! I absolute love this lunch bag. I honestly carry this 5 days a week. It is the perfect size! Not only can you put your lunch in it, it can also hold your book. I enjoy reading at lunch, so I have all I need in one cute bag. Thank you so much Larissa!

Awww…I love this sweet Cat with an attitude!! SO SO adorable! Well worth the money, and he will become a priceless treasure in my home! Thanks Larissa for always making your ideas turn into true treasures!

~ Sharon

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:45:37-04:00

~ Sharon

Awww…I love this sweet Cat with an attitude!! SO SO adorable! Well worth the money, and he will become a priceless treasure in my home! Thanks Larissa for always making your ideas turn into true treasures!

Perfect purchase from start to finish! Absolutely adorable piece so creatively thought out. Packed with the greatest of care with lightening fast delivery. Very customer-oriented and friendly crafter. Could not ask for more! Thank you!

~ Deanna

Prodigal Pieces
2020-03-21T21:52:00-04:00

~ Deanna

Perfect purchase from start to finish! Absolutely adorable piece so creatively thought out. Packed with the greatest of care with lightening fast delivery. Very customer-oriented and friendly crafter. Could not ask for more! Thank you!
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