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The other day I ran across a project for a DIY media center which involved a simple rustic console table and some baskets for DVDs and the like. I really liked the project, but I wasn’t a big fan of the baskets. Why? I know from experience that baskets are not particularly durable, and like to fall apart over long years of use. Plastic bins are a lot more sturdy.

The thing is, not everyone likes the appearance of plastic bins as they are, which is understandable. So I got to thinking it would be a good idea to discuss a few plastic bin DIY makeover projects which are ideal for households with rustic décor. The homespun look is really big right now, and plastic bins for storage are not incompatible with it; they just need a little TLC.

• Cover them in burlap or cloth. One of the best ways to transform a plastic bin is to cover it in cloth or burlap. Burlap is everywhere these days, and it works great for disguising a plastic tote, but other types of fabric also can be a great accompaniment to a rustic interior. Plus, if you go with another type of cloth, you can choose a fun color or pattern to add a little vibrancy to your home. It does take time and work to decorate a plastic bin this way, but if you enjoy crafts, you will have a great time doing this project!

• Wrap them in jute. Here is another idea for how to make plastic bins pretty. Instead of gluing fabric to your bins, you can wrap them in jute. This project is a little time-consuming, but the supply list is short. It is arguably easier than the fabric project since you do not need to worry about neatly tucking the fabric under in such a way as to cover the bins evenly without creating odd lumps. You just wrap the jute around and around until you are done.

• Label your bins with chalkboard paint. If you want to label your plastic bins in a way that complements a rustic interior design sensibility, you can use chalkboard paint. Like burlap, chalkboard paint is now being used for everything under the sun. It has an old-fashioned, nostalgic, whimsical look and feel, and best of all, you can erase the labels and change them later if you need to.

There you have it; cheap plastic storage bins may look contemporary when you purchase them from the store, but they do not need to stay looking that way! There are a lot of craft projects you can do to transform the appearance of your bins into something more rustic. A bin which has been covered in burlap, fabric or jute may be unrecognizable by the time you are done with it. Someone walking into your living room and seeing a burlap-covered bin under your console table might not realize it was ever an ordinary plastic bin! And when you label your bins with chalkboard paint, you can quickly and easily locate anything you store inside!