Decorating With Baskets: Beautiful And Practical Ideas For Every Room

Discover practical storage solutions, stylish decor ideas, and the beautiful texture baskets bring to your home. These hardworking containers fit easily into any style and keep things organized and tidy. Let’s chat about how to decorate with decorative baskets—and why they’ve been a favorite of mine for years.

Affiliate links included. See our Discloser Policy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My love for baskets started when I was a teenager. My grandmother gave me a small, sturdy basket with a curved handle, and I turned it into a purse. I handstitched a little drawstring pouch and put it inside the basket, stitched the insert to the inside rim of the basket, and voila, I made a purse I carried through my college years. It was so special to me.

That sweet little basket started a lifelong love affair with baskets. Over the years, I’ve used baskets in so many ways—always drawn to their charm and how useful they are. They’ve become one of my favorite decorating tools. These humble containers add warmth, texture, and so much personality to a space. They’re also one of the best ways I’ve found to keep my home organized. I have been using them for more decades than I care to admit!

I always say that storing or stowing things in a basket is the best way to hide them in plain sight. A lidded or open basket offers so many smart storage options. Not only do baskets store household things they also organize them!

I like to think through what goes into each basket. No basket in my home is just for show. Every one of them has a job to do. They’re the quiet heroes of a tidy and well-run home, looking pretty while keeping everyday things neat and in their place.

Baskets are beautiful, humble, and should be part of your home’s decor and storage. Here are some creative ways to make the best use of baskets in your home.

Three Things To Know When Decorating With Baskets

There is probably a basket for every space in your home and for everything you need to store. When you’re thinking about how to use baskets in your decor, there are three things to keep in mind.

Style And Aesthetics

Choose baskets that complement the overall look and feel of your home. Think about the color, texture, shape, and material. Whether you love seagrass, rattan, wicker, or wire, your basket should feel like it belongs in the space it’s in. Baskets are decorative as well as functional, so choose ones that add to the beauty of your home.

Function And Size

Think about what you need each basket to hold. Are you storing blankets? Organizing pantry goods? Tucking away toys? The basket needs to be the right size and shape for its job, and it should fit comfortably in the space where it will live.

Durability And Quality

A well-made basket can last for years. Look for strong, tightly woven materials and sturdy handles if the basket needs to be moved around. A good-quality basket will serve you well and keep its shape, even with regular use.

Every room in your home can benefit from a basket or two or more! Let’s look at some of the best ways to use baskets in the rooms in your home.

Points Of Entry: Foyer, Entryway, And Mudroom

Baskets play an important role in the foyer and mudroom at Tanglewood. I tend to think of the baskets as more functional in my small mudroom and more decorative in my foyer. But the truth is, they really do double duty in both places! They add a welcoming feel while keeping everyday clutter in check.

Here are a few ways I use baskets in the front entrance of our home:

• Use a basket to corral outdoor essentials like hats, gloves, scarves, and umbrellas
• Tuck shoes or boots in a large lidded basket to keep them out of sight but easy to grab on the go.
• Keep a rolled-up towel in a small basket near the door for wiping muddy dog paws.
• Set up a small basket as a drop zone for incoming mail, keys, sunglasses, and anything else you reach for on your way out.

Coat Closets

Our small coat closet in the foyer is a hardworking space that gets used every day. However, small spaces like this can become messy quickly! I added two square baskets to the shelf inside; one holds gloves and hats, and the other keeps scarves out of the way. I don’t worry too much about keeping them perfectly organized. I just want to be able to find what I need quickly.

On the closet floor, there’s a large open basket that holds shoes, mostly the little ones that belong to our grandchildren. It’s such a simple solution that keeps the foyer clear and helps everyone find their shoes when it’s time to go home.

Living Room And Family Room

Wicker baskets have such a timeless appeal, and they’re perfect for adding a layer of texture and warmth in your living space.

I like our home to feel upscale yet casual, so adding a basket or two to our living room and family room strikes the right balance without looking too stiff. They make the room feel welcoming and relaxed. While I often choose baskets for their good looks, many of them quietly serve a purpose, too. They’re just as useful as they are beautiful.

Here are some useful ways to use baskets in your living room:

• Keep a large basket nearby to hold toys—easy to grab, and just as easy to put away.
• Use an oversized lidded basket as a storage ottoman to hide away blankets and extra cushions.
• Use a basket as a container to hold a plant.
• Turn a roomy basket into a charming planter for a fiddle leaf fig or a faux olive tree.
• Use a decorative basket beside your favorite chair to keep books and magazines within easy reach.
• Store firewood neatly in a tall basket near the fireplace.
• Collect throw pillows or seasonal blankets in a deep basket beside the sofa.
• Corral a small seasonal vignette using a tray-style basket—it helps everything feel more intentional.
• Use a basket to quickly gather up clutter before company arrives. It’s one of my favorite tricks!
• Style open shelving or built-ins with baskets to hide small items and soften the look of the shelves.
• Set a small tabletop tree in a basket during the holidays (or anytime you want a little greenery indoors).

The Kitchen

Do you use baskets in your kitchen? I’d guess the answer is yes! Our first home was over 100 years old and we had beautiful, exposed wood beams in the ceiling, and I hung all types of baskets, much like those featured in a Martha Stewart magazine. I loved how cozy they made my kitchen look, and they were so useful. I’d often grab one to bring in vegetables from the garden or toss in a bunch of little socks fresh from the dryer.

The baskets in the kitchen are more tucked away, under the window seat and in the pantry. They help organize the space and bring in a touch of texture and warmth, especially helpful in a room filled with hard surfaces.

These days, the baskets that get used the most in my kitchen are bread-proofing bowls!

Even in the busiest room of the house, baskets work hard to keep things organized—and looking beautiful, too.

Here are ways to use baskets in your kitchen…

• Use a basket to gather baking essentials, such as measuring cups, mixing spoons, and spatulas, for easy access.
• Store cutting boards upright in a wide basket to keep them organized and within reach.
• Place potted herbs in a shallow basket on the windowsill to add greenery and convenience.
• Keep reusable water bottles in a basket to prevent them from cluttering cabinets.
• Baskets are workhorses in the pantry for keeping items like flour, sugar, and other dry goods together.
• Use a basket under the sink to corral cleaning sprays, sponges, and brushes.​
• Place frequently used spices in a small basket near the stove for convenient seasoning.
• Organize your favorite cookbooks in a basket on the countertop or a shelf for easy reference.

The Laundry Room

Baskets are right at home in a laundry room, and they’re just as pretty as they are practical. My favorite way to use a basket is for my laundry. When we lived at StoneGable, I hung out most of the laundry. Line-dried sheets are one of life’s little pleasures to slip into each night. I had an old wicker basket that I’d carry out to the line on sunny days balanced on my hip as I’d head out past the porch.

Laundry rooms, like linen closets and mudrooms, are full of little things that need organizing. Baskets are perfect for the job! They work double duty. They keep everything in its place while also looking attractive.

One of my favorite laundry room helpers was a deep leather-look basket I used to hold clothespins. I would clip it right to the line so everything was close at hand.

Here are a few simple and smart ways to use baskets in the laundry room:

• Keep laundry detergent, fabric softener, and cleaning sprays in a sturdy handled basket.
• Dedicate a small basket to lonely socks waiting for their match.
• Collect dryer lint in a small basket for easy clean-up.
• Store ironing supplies, such as starch and spray bottles, in one convenient location for quick access.
• Use baskets on a folding table or counter to sort folded clothes by person or type.
• Place dryer sheets in a decorative basket to keep them tidy and within reach.
• Store a sewing kit in a small basket for those quick mending moments.
• Keep a basket near the machines to collect coins, receipts, or surprises found in the pockets of clothing.
• Store scrub brushes, sponges, or other utility sink essentials in a handled basket.

Baskets really can bring order to a hardworking space like the laundry room. They even help the most routine tasks feel enjoyable, too!

Bedroom

All the wonderful things baskets do in other rooms of the home also apply to the bedroom. They bring beauty, texture, and most of all, function.

I stack two round baskets on the bottom shelf of my bedside table, and they’re filled with my morning and nighttime essentials. I also keep a pretty lidded basket in the corner of the room that holds extra sheets, a couple of lightweight blankets, and a few throws. It’s both decorative and practical.

Here are simple ways to use baskets to help organize and decorate your bedroom:

• Store books, lotions, and bedtime essentials in baskets on your bedside table.
• Slide flat baskets under the bed for hidden but easy-to-access storage.
• Keep off-season clothes, scarves, or handbags neatly tucked into baskets on closet shelves.
• Use a deep, sturdy basket as a laundry hamper that’s pretty enough to leave out.
• Organize makeup or personal care items in a small handled basket.
• Place a basket next to the bed for your favorite nighttime reads.
• Corral items like reading glasses, tissues, and phone chargers in a shallow basket.
• Keep extra blankets folded and tucked into a large floor basket.
• In a child’s bedroom, use baskets to organize toys or stuffed animals.
• Place a small basket on a dresser or changing table to hold wipes and diapers.

A few well-placed baskets in a bedroom can make a big difference in both how it looks and how it functions. They help keep everyday clutter tucked away while still being close at hand.

Bathrooms And Linen Closets

If you do not have a palatial, spa-like bathroom, baskets can be your best organizing friend! In smaller spaces, like bathrooms, the need for attractive items that serve a purpose is extensive! Baskets are the perfect choice for keeping things organized and looking nice!

Here are some favorite ways to use baskets in the bathroom:

• Organize cleaning supplies under the sink in sturdy handled baskets.
• Stack rolled towels and washcloths in a large open basket for a spa-like look.
• Keep extra toilet paper and toiletries tucked into decorative baskets.
• Use a small lidded basket near the toilet to discreetly store feminine hygiene products.
• Create a guest-ready space with a basket full of toiletries and travel-size essentials.
• Corral daily-use items like lotions, sprays, and skincare in a countertop basket.
• Add a basket near the tub for candles, books, matches, and bath salts.
• Use a wide basket to organize magazines or light reading material.

And in the linen closet:

• Store folded sheet sets, bath towels, and washcloths in labeled baskets.
• Use baskets to keep extra toiletries, tissues, or cleaning products organized.
• Add a basket for paper guest towels to make entertaining feel thoughtful and polished.
• Designate a deep basket for collecting laundry or keeping tubby toys in one place.

Whether you’re organizing a powder room, a primary bath, or a hallway linen closet, baskets make everything feel more intentional—and they’re such a pretty way to stay organized.

Baskets As Wall Art

Walls are the canvas of our living spaces, and baskets can be a beautiful and unexpected way to decorate them. Have you ever thought of using baskets as art? They add texture, warmth, and visual interest—especially when you want something different from paintings, mirrors, or more traditional wall decor.

Just like any artwork, choosing the right size, shape, and color of baskets is the foundation for a look that feels curated and personal. There are so many options, and that’s what makes decorating with baskets so much fun. They’re a natural fit for creating a wall that feels rich and layered.

In our first home, we hung a small lidded basket by the back door. It looked just right in that cozy space, and it also worked hard. We kept our keys, sunglasses, and little essentials in it so we could grab them quickly on the way out the door.

I’ve also used baskets in more decorative ways. One wall in our bedroom needed something, but because we already had framed art on either side of the bed, we didn’t want to add more pictures. A small grouping of baskets above the headboard was just what the wall needed. It gave the room texture and interest without feeling too formal.

Try creating a gallery-style display of baskets on a blank wall in your home. Play around with different layouts—there’s no right or wrong way to do it. The beauty is in the variation and the storytelling. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Hang a few and let the arrangement evolve over time.

The goal is to make your wall look intentional and personal, like a visual extension of the story your home is telling.

Vintage Baskets

If you love baskets, chances are you have a soft spot in your heart for vintage ones. New baskets are wonderful and offer lots of options for storage, but there’s just something about an old, well-loved basket that adds extra charm to a room.

Vintage baskets bring a sense of history and charm to a space. They have a story to tell. Their patina and earned imperfections cannot be reproduced, they are truly one of a kind.

The amazing thing about vintage baskets is that they can often be picked up at reasonable prices and sometimes inexpensively. Making them a must-have in any home.

Right now, I’m on the lookout for a vintage basket to tuck under my living room coffee table. That little area needs something with character, and a well-worn basket would be just the thing.

Decorating with vintage baskets is a timeless way to add texture, warmth, and function to your home. Whether you mix them with new baskets or style them as standalone pieces, they’ll always bring something special to your space.

Baskets are some of the most useful and beautiful items you can add to your home. Whether you’re using them to stay organized, soften a space with texture, or decorate a wall, baskets bring both charm and purpose to every room. They’re the kind of decorating detail that quietly does its job while making your home feel more thoughtful and pulled together.

From new and modern to vintage and storied, there’s a basket for every style and function. And the best part? You can move them from room to room and discover new ways to use them each season.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to pull out a few baskets or maybe even go on the hunt for one or two more. However you use them, they’re sure to make your home a bit more organized, a little cozier, and wonderfully you.

Related Post To Enjoy

6 Best Kitchen Organizing Tips

Discover practical ideas to keep your kitchen functional and stylish. This post offers helpful tips to improve kitchen organization.

The Digest #4 – Smart Kitchen Organizing Ideas

Discover over 60 practical tips to streamline your kitchen, including creative uses for baskets to enhance both functionality and aesthetics.

Decorating a Coffee Table Using a Basket or Tray

Learn how to style your coffee table with baskets or trays to create inviting vignettes that add texture and warmth to your living space.​

60+ Time-Saving, Smart Organizing Tips for Your Home

Efficient and practical organizing ideas that incorporate baskets to save time and reduce clutter in various areas of your home.

Shop The Post

Here are some attractive and useful baskets for your home.

Happy Decorating, Friends!