I know what you mean about old basement baskets, as I too have quite a few of those.

While I've never used them outdoors, I have used them as decorative containers for pots of indoor plants such as Amaryllis, of which I have quite a few. An old basket with one or more pots of Amaryllis (or any houseplant, really) hidden by some spaghnum moss can be quite attractive.

Just slapped it on, inside and out, covering it up. I then covered it with wet newspaper and a plastic bag, and waited. It cured, and I put a fig tree in it. It did not look bad and it lasted well. It was pretty heavy but then I used some Quickcrete somebody was throwing out.
An old basket makes a nice small raised biodegradable planter; fill with soil and stick on the ground. Drains well and lets your plant develop until it is big enough to put roots through the rotting pot into the regular soil.

If you wedge them in the crooks of trees (lightly tie in place) or hang them securely from branches, you may quickly find the birds using them to nest in.

Kate

bird nests!!! how cool! :)

I use small baskets tied to branches with twine as bird feeders. I put black oil sunflower seeds in them. The smaller birds like wrens or titmice seeem to like the safety of a basket. I look for small twig like baskets at the thrift stores. They look so pretty and natural dangling from trees.