Storage Baskets
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My collection of storage baskets in use by my garage entrance. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Storage Baskets
Baskets for storage have become, and continue to be, popular for home decor. In my house, however, they are more than decor, they are practical and handy for a variety of uses sometimes currently addressed with plastic.
I started to collect baskets that would fit my little metal book case at the house entrance from my garage. By having the storage space there, I can easily lean in and grab what I need without dragging mud through the house. Having the items easy to see also help me make sure the supplies are available.
The challenge in getting storage baskets to work for a specific space is to find sizes that will fit. I kept the available space measurement handy whenever I saw a basket so I could easily decide whether it would work.
The other decision is to settle on a basket style that was relatively available and one I liked. I ended up with this large weave basket in a honey color for inspiration.
I look for baskets with this color and weave. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
You can find similar baskets at big box stores. The ones I found that were similar to these started at $24.95 each with the larger ones $34.95 each.
With summer starting, you can save money and have some treasure hunting fun shop garage sales, auctions and thrift stores. Keep one basket handy or take a photo of the basket color and style so you have it easily available to match other finds. These baskets I use ranged from $1-$2 each. You do the math in terms of the cost of big box store baskets compared to thrift store finds.
If you are concerned about cleanliness, only pick up baskets that look brand new. I wash them with hot water and Dawn laundry detergent; then allow to dry.
If you are enterprising, you can also take a basket-weaving class and make your own baskets.
If you find something that will work to store items but isn’t a basket, pick something in the same color. On this shelf I have a wooden box with gardening supplies, see the box on the right in the middle shelf.
The baskets make a handy collection point. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
In addition to not using plastic and ready storage, now I also have a supply of easy to find baskets that I can use to carry things.
Actually they can also be used for storage in cabinets. I use baskets to sort out my freezer bags and storage containers in my kitchen. These baskets vary in color and weave but all have an easy handle to grab.
Baskets used for storage inside a kitchen cabinet. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Not an issue in most households but in mine, baskets tend to be quickly claimed for other purposes.
This was a woven basket I found at a thrift shop that I thought would work well to store magazines under my den coffee table.
Shirley Honey had different plans for my magazine storage basket. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
At least the basket made its way under the coffee table. Some baskets don’t make it that far before getting claimed for napping spots.
Storage baskets can also be used next to easy chairs and on top of cabinets. I love having them easily accessible to carry things, even if it is a sleepy cat!
Charlotte
