Is it possible to find a laundry hamper that's cheap, sturdy, and so stylish that it makes you feel like Jean Seberg in 1960s Paris? No, it isn't. That's why you'll have to make your own. This vintage inspired design cost around $20 to make and is perfect for holding all your Breton stripe shirts.

Materials:
wood circle
galvanized steel wire fencing
casters
screws and washers
optional: wood stain or paint, polyurethane

(Note: I purchased my 15" wood round at Lowes for around 7 bucks. If you can't find a wood circle at your local home improvement store, Waddell Manufacturing sells a similar round wood tabletop on Amazon. The fencing comes in various length rolls but generally works out to about a dollar a linear foot.)

Instructions:
1. Stain or paint your wood circle. Seal with a coat of polyurethane.
2. Lay the circle on the floor. Unroll the fencing and wrap around the wood circle. With wire cutters, snip up the length of the fencing. Leave enough overlap so that you can securely twist the wire around the opposite edge of the fencing.
3. With pliers, twist each piece of wire around the opposite edge of the fencing. Work your way all the way up the height of the hamper to make a tight seam. Be sure to trim any excess and clamp it down really well so you don't have sharp, snaggy edges.
4. Lay the hamper on its side so you can see the bottom. Snip the wires to form little squares like in picture 5. Bend the squares under the bottom of the wood circle.
5. Drive a small screw and washer inside the squares into the wood. You don't have to screw down each square. Five or six screws total will hold it together well.
6. Add casters.
7. You're done! You can throw in a canvas laundry bag or, if you sew, stitch one up yourself. I made one out of navy striped ticking.

(Images: Katie Steuernagle)

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