20 Ways to Use Baskets for Storage on Shelves and Many Other Places

Entryway Basket Storage

minimalist entryway with bench, baskets and hooks — John Granen

Make the most of your entryway using baskets for easy storage on shelves or under a bench. Create a drop zone for shoes by tucking a couple of large, sturdy baskets (we like these wire Better Homes & Gardens baskets ($36 for 3, Walmart) on the floor near the door. Use baskets to sort items you use less frequently on a high shelf, such as hats and gloves.

02 of 20

Catch-All Basket Storage

White desk in living room with wicker baskets — Greg Scheidemann

Use baskets to gather miscellaneous items that would otherwise clutter up your living room. Woven storage baskets can hold toys, games, books, movies, TV equipment, throw blankets, and more. Stash the baskets beneath a console table, so they're out of the way but easy to reach when needed. This basket storage idea also provides a quick way to clear the room of clutter before company arrives.

03 of 20

Linen Closet Storage Baskets

linen closet organized with bins and baskets — Lincoln Barbour

Streamline a crowded linen closet with various sizes of baskets for storage on shelves. Large, lidded wicker baskets work well for bulky items such as blankets, sheets, and bath towels. Use shallow wire storage baskets or fabric bins ($17 for 2, Walmart) to corral miscellaneous items such as candles and extra toiletries. Label each container with easy-to-read tags.

04 of 20

Closet Basket Organization

detail of clothes in wire basket sitting on closet shelf — Anthony Masterson

Bring more organization to your closet by sorting items into baskets. On shelves, place folded clothing into wire storage baskets to prevent tall stacks from toppling over. Use separate baskets for tops, bottoms, shoes, scarves, and other accessories.

05 of 20

Baskets for Storage on Shelves

white built-in bookcase colorful accents — Adam Albright

Open shelves aren't just a pretty spot to display books and collectibles; they can also ensure that often-used items are easy to access. Line up identical baskets on a shelf to organize reading materials, TV remotes, and other small items. Employ large wicker storage baskets on a lower shelf to stash extra throw blankets.

06 of 20

Storage Baskets Near Furniture

white living room brown sofas — Kritsada Panichgul

In the living room, let storage baskets take the place of side tables next to seating. Large rattan baskets like these classic Better Homes & Gardens baskets ($59, Walmart) are perfect for storing extra throw blankets within reach of the sofa. Use small vessels to collect magazines, mail, and books. Keep the look casual by choosing mismatched baskets.

07 of 20

Family Storage Baskets

mudroom cubbies storage drawers hanging bags — Laura Moss

Curb morning chaos in the entryway with storage 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 hold library books, mittens, scarves, hats, and other necessities.

08 of 20

Storage Basket for Extra Bedding

Bedroom with wicker basket and light on wall — Marty Baldwin

Stop throwing extra bed pillows or blankets on the floor every night. Instead, toss pillows in a wicker storage basket, at bedtime to help keep them clean and off the floor. Keep the basket at your bedside or the foot of the bed, so it's always close at hand.

09 of 20

Bathroom Storage Baskets

diy blue bathroom vanity with extra open shelving

In the bathroom, conceal extra bath products, hand towels, toilet paper, and more with woven or fabric storage baskets. Choose various sizes according to the types of items you need to store. Stock a separate basket with fragrant soaps, lotions, and other items for freshening up that you can easily pull out when guests arrive.

10 of 20

Pantry Storage Baskets

tall pantry shelving cabinetry — James Salomon

Baskets can be helpful for organizing pantry staples and kitchen supplies. Place a basket with handles on a pantry shelf for easy access to contents. Add a label on the basket or the shelf so you can see contents at a glance.

11 of 20

Cleaning Supplies Basket

Cleaning supplies in wire basket — Cameron Sadeghpour

Bathrooms and laundry rooms require a lot of storage for supplies. Use durable storage baskets to corral items like soaps, cleaning products, brushes, sponges, and more. Once you've sorted your things in baskets, slide them out of sight inside a cabinet or closet. Make sure to choose a basket that won't be damaged by water or chemicals.

12 of 20

Colorful Storage Baskets

Organized closet with baskets — Jay Wilde

Using baskets for storage on shelves is an inexpensive way to perk up a plain closet. Colorful mix-and-match baskets with labels keep different types of clothing and accessories sorted and organized. This basket storage idea also works well for kids' closets to help them remember where items should go.

13 of 20

Organize Shelves with Baskets

office desk organized shelving — King Au

Keep your bookshelves in check with baskets and bins. In a craft room or home office, storage baskets can corral loose items, such as fabric samples, paint swatches, and project folders. Add labels to each basket to identify their contents and add personality to your shelves. To make labels, attach gift tags to each basket with ribbon and use rub-on alphabet decals or write each basket's contents on the tag.

14 of 20

Media Storage Baskets

box organization tv center — John Bessler

Keep coffee table clutter under control with a media organizer. Here, an open shelf unit under a wall-mount TV takes up little visual space and holds media equipment in attractive boxes. The simple, stylish boxes keep everything in one spot, so you'll always know where to find game equipment or the remote. Look for a container with compartments, like a utensil organizing basket.

15 of 20

Kitchen Counter Basket

kitchen Woven basket tray — Cameron Sadeghpour

Use a shallow storage basket (like this durable poly rattan Better Homes & Gardens basket, $16, Walmart) to organize cooking oils and spices on the kitchen countertop. Line the bottom of the basket with a metal cookie sheet to make it easy to clean up spills or crumbs. Place the basket near the range to keep frequently used ingredients within reach while cooking.

16 of 20

Freezer Storage Baskets

Plastic storage baskets become a smart space-saver inside a crowded freezer. Use the baskets to organize foods by type (such as frozen pizzas in one, bags of vegetables in another). Label each basket so nothing will get lost in the back of your freezer.

17 of 20

Living Room Basket Storage

living room hidden storage — John Bessler

Combine baskets with your existing furniture to boost living room storage. Line wicker storage baskets on a shelf or tuck them below a coffee table to stash books and magazines. Place a comfy armchair and a floor lamp to create a cozy reading nook.

18 of 20

Underbed Storage Baskets

light blue bedroom under bed storage — Richard Leo Johnson

Instantly increase bedroom storage with large woven baskets. 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 to the bottom of the baskets.

19 of 20

Bathroom Basket Storage

grey stone tile bathroom sink — Werner Straube

Small bathrooms usually lack storage options, so use baskets to add organization and decoration. A large basket stores extra towels within easy reach in this powder room. This basket storage idea works especially well in bathrooms with a wall-mount sink or one with exposed plumbing.

20 of 20

Decorative Storage Baskets

bathroom storage cabinet baskets — John Bessler

In the bathroom, storage solutions are often part of the decor. Use labeled wicker baskets to organize extra bath supplies in a low cabinet. Different-sized storage baskets look as if they belong together when their colors coordinate.

Was this page helpful?