Revive An Outdated Wastebasket

Sometimes we purchase decorative pieces for our home and we just outgrow them. That certainly doesn't mean they no longer serve their intended purpose, which is to be decorative. It means they need revitalized. Perhaps a paint job to brighten them up, new handles for a more polished look, different tie-backs in the case of drapes or maybe just a complete dusting to make something shine. But what about that perfect wastebasket? The one we searched high and low for because it had to fit in a very specific location, be of exact width and height and the day we found it was the greatest day in decorative wastebasket purchasing history. What, then, when it no longer suits our decor style? Give it a face lift!

• Scissors
• Calendar
• Wastebasket
• Matte Mod Podge
• Glossy Mod Podge
• Hard scraper

This project may seem fairly simple, but has the potential to totally revitalize a room. Sure, sure, a wastebasket is not always the household item to warrant much thought, but a little Mod Podge and your favorite calendar photos can transform the face of an existing wastebasket and potentially turn it into a focal piece.

1. Select favorite pictures from a calendar
2. Firmly fold the pictures to fit the shape of the wastebasket
3. Cut each picture to the desired height and width
4. Apply a generous coat of Matte Mod Podge to one side of the wastebasket
5. Carefully lay the first picture on its selected side
6. Using the scraper, smooth out all air bubbles from center to edges
7. Allow this side to dry before moving on to the next
8. Repeat until all sides are covered with new art
9. Using the scraper, "distress" the edges and surface
10. Remove any loose pieces of paper
11. Apply a coat of Glossy Mod Podge to each side and allow to dry
12. Enjoy your new piece of decorative, functional furniture