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Linda is a seasoned writer and bedrooms authority. She loves sharing design trends, decor ideas, and useful tips with her readers.

Baskets come in all shapes and sizes.

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Storage Baskets

Never underestimate the humble wicker basket. These ubiquitous items are available at any local import, big-box store, or flea market. When organizing on a budget, baskets are your best friends.

You can find wicker baskets in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are lined, others unlined. Baskets come in natural, dark, light finishes or a rainbow of hues. Use them for storage in any room of your home. You are limited only by your imagination.

Wicker baskets are an alternative for filing important documents.

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How to Use Baskets in Your Home Office

Small baskets work perfectly as storage for small office supplies, such as extra staples, paper clips, pencils, pens, and tape.
Place them on low shelves for easy access.
Mid-size baskets with taller sides serve as vertical file folders or magazine storage on a bookcase.
Turn large baskets with lids into archived file storage and place them on the floor or in a closet.
Imagine an extra-large basket inverted and used as a printer stand (the hidden space under the basket is a great spot for seldom-used office items).

how-to-organize-your-life-with-baskets — lindacee

Using Baskets in the Bathroom

Consider using baskets for organization in the bathroom. Look for small, cloth-lined wicker baskets for this project.

Select a basket finish that matches or compliments the cabinetry in your bath.
Gather up the plethora of cosmetics, soaps, and sprays from each vanity and place in his and her baskets.
Locate each basket within easy reach next to the sink. The benefit is two-fold—you eliminate unsightly countertop clutter and create a stylish arrangement of grooming products.
Give the area around the bathtub a designer touch by nestling your bath salts, potions, and goodies in small, rectangular, or round baskets.
Arrange matching large, cloth-lined baskets on shelving or in open cabinets. Fill the baskets with fluffy, rolled towels, and you have instantly transformed a utilitarian bath into a spa.

Gather up your family room essentials and store them in a divided basket.

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Use Baskets as Family-Room-Clutter-Collectors

In the living room, low, round baskets are ideal for magazine storage beside a sofa or under the coffee table. On entertainment center shelves, wicker baskets of any size can hide a multitude of sins:

Children's toys
Tapes
DVDs
Remotes
Board games

Baskets are a marvelous solution to a quick clean-up when unexpected guests drop by.

Using Baskets for Closet Organization

Organize closets with various sizes of cloth-lined baskets on shelves.
Wicker baskets are ideal for storing jewelry, scarves, sweaters, hats, and gloves.
A tall, cylindrical wicker basket can serve as a laundry hamper.
Large, lidded baskets are nifty for off-season clothing storage–don't forget to throw in a few blocks of cedar to keep moths at bay.

Using Baskets for Stylish Kitchen Storage

Wicker baskets can even bring orders to your kitchen. Nothing looks more gourmet than a basket filled with oils and vinegar placed next to your range or cooktop. This provides the perfect excuse to clean out your cabinets. Organize boxed cereals, crackers, cookies, and prepared foods. Place your pantry products in baskets by category. This makes it easy for everyone to see, grab and munch.

Reuse, Recycle, Reorganize

And finally, if you spot a few old wicker baskets hiding in the attic or basement and looking a little worse for the wear, don't throw them away. Grab a can of spray paint and bring them back to life—what a colorful way to repurpose and reorganize.

Additional Basket Ideas From Pottery Barn

Linda Chechar (author) from Arizona on October 04, 2014:

Tamara14, you're welcome! Baskets serve many purposes and I make use of them any time I can. I love that you can rotate them in and out to create a fresh look. Thanks for sharing your idea! :)

Tamara14 on October 03, 2014:

I love them, all shapes and sizes :) I don't have as many as I'd like though because there's just not enough space. That's why I kind of rotate them every once in a while; some go to our summer house and some new ones enter our home. Nice hub, thank you.

Michele Kelsey from Edmond, Oklahoma on May 22, 2013:

Yes, they can be SO handy and fit in the perfect nooks in your house. I even have a mini shelving unit with six tiny baskets in it under my bathroom sink. It is PERFECT for my barrettes, hair bands, hair clips, etc. I was even able to label each section on the shelf, and it sorts all my hair stuff so well!

Linda Chechar (author) from Arizona on May 21, 2013:

Thanks Michele! I have a love affair with baskets as well. They are relatively inexpensive and add just the right amount of texture to a room. I currently use them for magazine storage and, like you, for bathroom toiletries, towels, etc.

Michele Kelsey from Edmond, Oklahoma on May 21, 2013:

Wow, some of those baskets are so cool. I am a basket person myself. I put baskets under my coffee table so they are hidden and I keep my yarn in there. I also have one in the bathroom for my combs and blow dryer and stuff. I love the ones with bows. I recently took off all the liners on my baskets to wash them and I actually liked the way they looked plain! lol. Great hub! Michele

Linda Chechar (author) from Arizona on February 21, 2012:

Thanks for the nice comment and votes prairieprincess! I love to use baskets as well. They add great texture and color to any room.

Sharilee Swaity from Canada on February 21, 2012:

Great ideas! I really like baskets and that kitchen looks amazing. Voted up and useful!