Baskets, Baskets, Everywhere: Using baskets to Organize Your Home

As you walk from room to room in my home, one of the things you will notice is the number of baskets.  I just noticed the other day that I have baskets in every room of our house.  I love to organize and to reorganize again and again.

Baskets come in all shapes and sizes, with and without lids, and in all price ranges.  They can be found at almost any store from grocery stores to home decor stores.  They can also be picked up cheaply at thrift stores and garage sales.

Here are some ways to utilize baskets to help you organize your house and cut the clutter:

Kitchen

• Use decorative baskets to store fruit, dish towels, or stray recipes
• Use to store crackers, cereal, snacks, etc. (toss/recycle the boxes that these things come in when they are close to empty and store the cellophane bags in a basket so you can clear up shelf space)
• Use to store cleaning supplies, cleaning sponges, and other cleaning tools
• In cupboards use small baskets for small items (this works well with baby items such as pacifiers, bottle nipples, etc.)
• I have a basket with dividers that is perfect for storing utensils and napkins for when we have get-togethers

Bathroom

• Use baskets to store spare towels (they look pretty and decorative rolled up and placed nicely in a basket)
• Have a small basket with toiletries for guests to use
• Use to store hair accessories and combs/brushes 
• Use to store extra toilet paper so you don't have to rummage in the closet 

Closets

• Store candles, potpourri, and other decorative items (they also make your closet smell good) in baskets
• Have a basket for socks that have missing mates (I have a whole basket of them that I periodically sort through)
• Use them to store purses, wallets, and various travel related items

Living Room/Family Room

• Use to store toys, magazines, hobbies (i.e. crafts)
• Bread baskets are perfect for storing CDs
• Roll blankets and place them in baskets for a decorative look (they are easy to pull out for snuggling on the sofa)
• A small basket can be used to store all your remote controls (if you have gaming systems this is really handy)

 Office

• Use baskets to store files and mail
• Have a to-do basket filled with items that may need attention (this is where I put papers that need to be signed, newspaper clippings that need to be filed, toys that need maintenance, etc.)
• I even have a basket that serves as a mini trash can (it has a liner)
• Use small baskets to collect pens, paper clips, post its and other small office supplies

Bedroom

• Wash (of course)
• A small basket can serve as a catch all for jewelry, items that you take from your pockets at the end of the day, and spare change

Hallways

• Use a small basket on a table or on the floor for your family to drop their hats, mittens, and scarves
• A little basket can collect car and house keys (so you always know where they are)
• Have a basket to store book bags and any other items (such as sports equipment) that your family comes home with from school or work
• Have a basket on the stairs to put items that belong upstairs so that you can take it up when you go upstairs so you are not running up and down the steps needlessly (unless you like the exercise!)

Baskets always make perfect gifts to!  Just fill them with goodies and present them for birthdays, housewarming gifts, and any other occasion.