I’ve always had a soft spot for a good make-do project, the kind that turns something headed for the trash pile into something useful and downright charming. These faux wicker patio tables are made from warped plastic storage bins and rope, and once they’re finished, they have that cozy woven look that fits right in on a porch, sunroom, or little backyard sitting spot.
Out where I live, we’ve long believed in using what we have before buying something new, and this project follows that same old practical wisdom. If you’ve got a couple of misshapen bins that no longer stack nicely, this is a fine way to give them a second life. It’s especially good for beginners, since the shape of the bin does most of the work for you and the rope covers a multitude of imperfections.
Materials
Instructions
1. Set each plastic bin upside down on a sturdy, heat-safe surface, because the bottom of the bin will become the tabletop and the open end will become the base.
2. Pour about 1 quart of boiling water slowly over the warped areas of the first bin to soften the plastic just enough to reshape it.
3. Wearing gloves, gently press the softened sections back into a more even shape, then let the bin cool completely before moving on.
4. Repeat the same heating and reshaping process with the second bin so both table bases are as level and symmetrical as possible.
5. Starting at the center of the bin’s bottom, hot-glue the end of the rope in place and coil it tightly in a flat spiral to cover the tabletop surface.
6. Continue wrapping and gluing the rope in close rows until the entire top is covered, pressing each round snugly against the last for a neat finish.
7. Turn the rope down over the edge and keep gluing row by row around the sides of the bin, working in horizontal rounds like you’re wrapping a big spool.
8. Keep wrapping all the way to the bottom edge of the bin, adding glue every few inches so the rope stays secure without gaps or sagging.
9. Trim the rope neatly at the end, glue the tail down firmly, and hold it for a few seconds so it doesn’t lift.
10. Make the second table the same way, matching the rope spacing and coverage so the pair looks like a set.
11. Check that each table sits flat, and if needed, add a little more hot glue and a short piece of rope along any uneven bottom edge to visually balance it.
12. Let both tables rest for at least 30 minutes before setting them out on the patio, so all the glue has time to cool and harden well.
Variations & Tips
For a tighter wicker look: Use slightly thinner rope, around 1/4 inch, if you want more rows and a finer woven appearance. It takes longer, but the finished texture looks especially polished.
For outdoor use: Keep these on a covered porch or patio if possible. Cotton rope has a lovely natural look, but it lasts best when it isn’t left out in soaking rain day after day.
To make them taller: Choose deeper storage bins of the same width. That’s an easy way to turn this same method into a taller drink table for beside a chair.
To hide rough spots: If the plastic is still a little dimpled after reshaping, don’t fret. The rope covering is forgiving, and once it’s wrapped snugly, most of those little flaws disappear completely.
For a neater finish: Work in short glue sections, about 4 to 6 inches at a time, so the adhesive stays hot while you press the rope in place. That one small habit makes the rows come out much straighter.
To keep the pair coordinated: Measure the rope rows every few rounds on the second table instead of eyeballing it. I learned years ago in the kitchen and the sewing basket alike that matching things usually comes down to steady little checks along the way.