DIY Basketball Hoop Trash Can

A simple wood project you can make for that sports loving person on your list.  It’s another Handbuilt Holiday gift project plan today from Ana White and me, we’re so glad to have you back every Friday for a new gift idea you can build this holiday season.

A DIY tutorial to build a wood basketball hoop trash can holder. Make clean up fun and add sports themed decor with free plans for a basketball backboard.

This basketball hoop trash can holder is a very simple project using basic tools and inexpensive supplies that you can build rather quickly.  Check your gift list for all those basketball loving kids and adult friends, I’m sure they would love to receive this fun trash can as a gift.  Or if you’re looking for another gift idea to make be sure to check out our catalog with 5+ years of handbuilt projects here.

I definitely have some basketball fans on my list so I plan on making multiples of this basketball hoop trash can.  I paired it with the fun basketball hoop looking trash can above and then went more understated with a plain black mesh trash can below.

Makes a nice addition to a home office, teen bedroom or dorm room.  You could even paint the lines in your favorite team colors or add a logo or monogram for personalization.

We were inspired by the PB Teen basketball hoop trashcan here but at $80 plus $15 shipping (and it’s on backorder until 11/13) we decided this is definitely a project we can make ourselves.

Ana designed the base and backboard so it’s very sturdy, I recommend wood glue and 3″ screws up from the base into the 2×4 post:

Follow Ana’s plans here for the cut list and step by step instructions.  Be sure to read below for my tips and assembly process.

Supplies:

• 1 – 3/4″ plywood handy panel (2′ x 4′ – makes 2)
• 1 – 2×4 board scrap @ 24″l
• 2 – 3″ wood screws
• 2 – 2″ wood screws
• wood glue
• jig saw
• tape measure
• pencil
• miter saw
• table saw or circular saw
• sander
• drill & drill bits
• trash can
• painters tape
• black acrylic paint & paintbrush
• clear semi-gloss polycrylic

Cut the boards as per Ana’s plans.  To make the curved front portion of the base I used a mini grill rack and traced the curve then cut with a jig saw.

Determine the line markings and use painters tape to mask off the areas.  I used two coats of black acrylic paint for a nice solid line.  Once dry I applied clear semi-gloss polycrylic over all surfaces to protect and seal the wood.  The polycrylic also brings out the warm wood tones which reminds me of the flooring on a real basketball court.

My son is loving his new basketball hoop trash can next to his desk.  Fingers crossed this helps him keep his room a bit more tidy!  I’m tired of picking up dirty tissues and trash bits on the floor, hopefully now he’ll want to ‘make a basket’ with his new trash can set up.

Thanks for joining us for this week’s Handbuilt Holiday project, be sure to stop by every Friday leading up to Christmas for a new gift idea you can build.

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