Baskets

Decorative and Storage Baskets: Materials, Uses, & FAQs

Storage baskets are practically a necessity in the busy modern home, which is always in need of versatile, stylish and practical solutions for organizing the trappings of daily life.

Materials

Storage baskets are inherently decorative and can be made of just about any material, each with its own unique durability, aesthetic and decor vibe.

• Natural fiber: A bohemian choice that works in even the most traditional of spaces, hand-woven natural fiber baskets are typically made of fast-growing plants like seagrass, rattan, and water hyacinth for a wicker-like effect. They're lightweight, textural and sturdy.
• Wire: Sleek and modern metal-wire baskets provide excellent visibility and fit more contemporary or industrial spaces.
• Fabric: Soft, pliable and available in a vast array of colors or patterns, fabric baskets are ideal for delicate items, kids' rooms (they hold so many stuffed animals,) and small spaces.

When shopping for storage baskets, consider which of these materials has the flexibility and feel that matches your home.

Uses by Room

Storage baskets can organize a million different things, it just depends on their placement. Let's look at the different ways different baskets can be deployed throughout your space:

1. Living room: Woven storage baskets can be used to organize DVDs, kids' toys, video games and other media, or to store cool throw blankets and pillows.
2. Bedroom: Keep accessories like scarves, socks, or underthings neatly organized in fabric baskets and use wire or wicker baskets to store shoes.
3. Kitchen: Petite rattan baskets will organize your pantry and wire baskets keep fruits or vegetables accessible with excellent ventilation to prevent mold.
4. Bathroom: You can store toiletries in small fabric or wire baskets and organize towels or linens in larger rattan versions.

FAQs

• How to clean your storage baskets?
  Cleaning methods vary according to material of course! Use a damp cloth to clean natural fiber and wire baskets, but you should consult the manufacturer's care instructions for fabric baskets. Some are washable!
• How to choose the right size and shape for your needs?
  Measuring the space available on your floor, or the size of your cabinet or console-table shelf is the best way to determine what size storage basket you should get.

When shopping for handmade baskets, consider what they're made of and which rooms they'll be best suited for. Explore the variety of options available to find the storage solutions that will make the most of your space. Happy organizing!