8 Vintage Picnic Basket Decorating Ideas for Your Home

Vintage picnic baskets are an all-time favourite, charming, go-to item and can be used throughout the house. In fact, they are a great idea for any home for several reasons. First of all, they are decorative and add a cosy touch to any interior, and secondly, they can be a practical storage unit. Take a look in your closets, attic or garage and you are bound to find a couple of vintage picnic baskets lying around. It is very usual to have too many things in the house. There are plenty of creative and crafty ideas for decorating with vintage picnic baskets if you want to spruce up your home. 

So you know how wonderful they are but don’t know how to use them in your home? We have some ideas. 

What Is a Vintage Picnic Basket? 

First, let’s explain what a vintage picnic basket is.

For something to be regarded as vintage, it's generally accepted that the item should not be more than 100 years old. It should have been a fashionable item in its day and should be known to belong to a certain era. Anything over 100 years is considered to be antique and not vintage.  

Using this knowledge we can start to understand what we should be looking for when choosing a vintage picnic basket. The right vintage basket will perfectly set the tone to your interior and add a touch of class to your home. Each vintage basket possesses its own unique style and each one will instantly make your home feel cosier. 

And of course, the first thing that comes to our mind when we think of old-fashioned picnics is the classic wicker picnic baskets, that give that traditional, true vintage feel. 

Vintage Wicker Picnic Baskets 

The most recognisable by far is the wicker picnic basket that can be considered as the point of reference when it comes to baskets. The wicker gives an incredible impression of quality and authenticity, making it a perfect material to incorporate into your home decor. 

The most iconic and traditional, and maybe the best example of a vintage-looking wicker basket is the single-handled picnic basket. Another unique and common style of the vintage picnic basket is the one that resembles an old luggage case. 

Decorating Ideas for Your Home

Picnic baskets can hold pretty much anything. You can choose to remove the handle or close the lid (if they have one) and hide what's inside, or throw or remove the lid open and display the items from the vintage basket. Fill the picnic basket with decorative things for a charming look. The possibilities for what you can do with your vintage picnic basket are almost endless. From hiding an ugly planter inside a cool basket to storing towels and linens - you can do almost anything.  

1. Console Table

Vintage picnic sets are a great way to add extra storage and style to your console tables. The baskets fill the empty space and give your table an entirely different look with a lot more texture and style. They can be used just as decoration but can also have a practical function, as you can store random items that have no particular place in your home.

2. Pantry

Maybe the most common place you can find the wicker basket (except on the blanket being used for a picnic) is in the pantry. Old picnic baskets can be reused for organising your pantry. They are perfect for storing snacks, canned goods, spices etc. The vintage baskets can add a little rustic look to your kitchen and make it feel more cosy and tidy.

3. Bathroom

Using vintage picnic baskets in the bathroom is a definite must. You can use them to store extra toilet paper, for storing clean towels or scented sprays. Vintage baskets can be used for holding decorative pieces on the counter to create a clean and organised look.

4. Bookshelves

Bookcases can be monotonous and boring. Using vintage picnic baskets can add a little playfulness. Adding a few baskets on the bottom shelves can help add visual weight if you have many small items and will help keep everything in balance.

5. Storage for Magazines

Vintage picnic baskets as we can see are very versatile and perfect to store a wide range of items. They are also perfect for storing magazines. A great addition to your stylish library, study or living room because they can easily fit in!

6. Plants in Baskets

Houseplants are taking over our homes and the perfect way to display them is in vintage picnic baskets. It is far better than the regular plain and simple plant pot. The wicker baskets give a stylish edge and look great in any room. They are an easy and effective way to give your home a nice update. However, the baskets are purely decorative, so you’ll still need to plant your favourite plan in the correct pot.

7. Laundry Room

Every house needs an effective way to manage its laundry loads and that's when vintage picnic baskets become one of the most essential home items. Using old wicker picnic baskets in the laundry room whilst serving a purpose (they can be used as storage) also adds to the aesthetic of the room, giving it a natural, cosy look. There are so many sizes and styles to choose from, so you can find the right one to fit your laundry needs. Your laundry room can finally be organised and look neat. 

8. Kids Room

If there is a need for extra storage it would be definitely in the kid's room. Proper storage it's a must when you have lots of toys! But you also want to be both practical and pretty storage. You can use your vintage picnic baskets for storing kid's toys and teddy bears and are light and easy for children to move around. The baskets are a brilliant way to keep the kid's room clean and organised. 

Vintage picnic baskets can fit perfectly in your home decor adding to the aesthetics. Since the wicker baskets come in different designs and patterns, shapes and sizes there is a lot to choose from. Vintage baskets allow you to explore your personal taste and style while also getting something practical out of it as well. These baskets are a great way not only to hide things but also to improve your home decor in the process. 

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