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A basket is one of the rare household items that has the ability to be both beautiful and wildly practical. In the right hands, humble reed, raffia, and rope can be sculpted into all manner of shapes, softening hard corners and adding another layer of texture, all while doing their primary job: containing household clutter so it feels a little more intentional. But beyond the classic towel or blanket storage, baskets can quietly corral messes in kitchens, mudrooms, and closets that you probably hadn’t thought of before. Ahead, a handful of genuinely clever ways to put baskets to work in every corner of the house.
Recycling
Instead of tossing bottles and cardboard into a plastic bin under the sink, tuck a vibrant basket into a corner of the kitchen as entrepreneur and strategist Shanika Hillocks does in her Brooklyn rental. Handles make it easily to tote to the street, or just move around as you cook.
Firewood
A generously sized handled basket keeps logs contained in the mudroom of Colby Minifie’s Hudson Valley home, so the actress can drop fresh firewood from outside right at the door and leave it until she needs it.
Planter
The basic plastic pot your plant came in is totally fine—just tuck it inside a larger woven basket and it will feel styled. For something even lower maintenance, stuff a taller style with dried branches or flowers. In designer Emily Ward’s earthy Northern California home, a rosy bundle fills a corner of the family room.
Toiletries
Beth Katz put a duo of charmingly mismatched lidded baskets next to the tub in her Los Angeles home, the ideal spot for stashing toilet paper, special soaps and salts, or even extra skincare.
Clothes
A flat-backed basket is made to hang on wall—or, in Katz’s case, a cabinet knob—without adding too much bulk. In a hallway, it could be home to scarves and hats or your collection of reusable grocery bags. In a bedroom, it’s a spot to tuck laundry or discarded outfits waiting to be put back in the closet.
Office Supplies
Place a basket next to your desk to house reference materials, charging cords, and, yes, a blanket for when the A/C kicks on mid–Zoom meeting.
Toys
A couple of low, wide baskets in the living room keeps building blocks and stuffed animals accessible in photographer Nicki Sebastian’s L.A. home. If you’re a pet parent, the same concept applies to a pup’s playthings.
