Storage Solutions Using Baskets

Curb morning chaos with baskets. Assign a basket to each family member and designate it as their "grab it" basket -- a place to stow everything they need to get out the door in the morning. Buy roomy baskets that will hold library books, mittens, scarves, hats, and other necessities.

Use a shallow basket to organize cooking oils and spices. Line the bottom of the basket with a metal cookie sheet to making cleaning up inevitable spills easier.

Does throwing bed pillows on the floor every night make you cringe? Toss pillows in a wicker hamper at bedtime to help keep them clean and off the floor.

Utilitarian plastic baskets become a smart space-saver inside a crowded freezer. Use the baskets to organize packages by type (frozen pizzas in one, bags of vegetables in another, etc.) and nothing will get lost in the back of your freezer.

Open shelves do more than create a fashionable presentation, they also ensure often-used items are easy to access. Identical baskets are perfect for organizing linens and other kitchen items.

Corral coffee table runaways with a basket organizer. This simple basket is stylish enough to sit out on the table and it keeps everything in one spot so when you want to change the channel, you'll always know where to find the remote. Look for a basket with compartments, like a utensil organizing basket.

Baskets can be helpful for organizing kitchen supplies. Place a basket with handles on a pull-out drawer for easy access to contents. Use one basket for different kinds of tea and another for baking supplies.

Keep your bookshelves in check with baskets and bins. Use baskets to corral loose items, such as fabric samples, paint swatches, and project folders. Add labels to each basket to identify its contents and give your shelves more personality. To make labels, attach gift tags to each basket with ribbon and use rub-on alphabet decals.

Organize household files with flair by trading a clunky metal file cabinet for a woven lidded chest. Be sure the basket's inside measurements will fit your letter- or legal-size files. The interior measurement of this chest is 12x12 inches. To securely hang letter or legal-size files inside, add an adjustable hanging file frame from an office supply store.

Assign each family member a hanging basket, then mount the baskets on hooks beside an entry door or on a stairway wall. Not only will you have a station for items such as keys, but kids can load after-school items and carry their baskets to their rooms.

Create an entryway bench from a coffee table, seat cushions, and a catchall basket. Use the basket to collect keys, mail, books, and other items that pile up by the door. The large basket gives the area a polished look without requiring a lot of organization from the homeowners.

In the living room, replace side tables with baskets. Use them to collect magazines, mail, and books. Keep the look casual by choosing mismatched baskets.

Woven side chairs, a slipcovered sofa, and crisp white draperies give this living room a casual look. Baskets round out the decor by repeating the texture from the side chairs and bamboo shades. The baskets also add storage to the coffee table.

Create an instant linen closet with a large woven basket. Stack sheets, pillowcases, and extra blankets in lidded baskets that you can stash under the bed. Prevent scratching floors or snagging carpets by adding stick-on furniture sliders.

Small bathrooms usually lack storage options, so use baskets to add storage and decoration. Here, a large basket holds towels. The black grounds the room and connects the mirror and wall decor.

Bathrooms require a lot of storage for supplies. Use baskets to corral these items. Pile supplies in a pretty basket, and slide it out of sight. Make sure to choose a basket that won't be damaged by water or chemicals.

Baskets can be part of your wall decor. In this bathroom, a wire basket adds architectural interest and towel storage above the toilet.

In the bathroom, storage solutions are often part of the display. Matching woven white baskets hold supplies and coordinate with the bathroom's color palette. X-shape open shelves and glass-front cabinet doors add architectural interest to the vertical storage.