Lauren Rowe is interested in baby products (she’s a new mom) and home decor. Before joining The Strategist, she was a writer at Curbed magazine and, before that, an assistant to Wes Anderson.
Lauren Rowe is interested in baby products (she’s a new mom) and home decor. Before joining The Strategist, she was a writer at Curbed magazine and, before that, an assistant to Wes Anderson.
In our advice series, Ask the Strategist, we collect your most pressing shopping questions and answer them by polling friends and family, turning to experts, and drawing on our own personal experiences. If you have questions about online shopping, email strategist@nymag.com with “Ask the Strategist” in the subject line—we’re here to help.
I’ve been itching to find a large open basket or organizer to store my extra pillows and blankets, but everything I’ve found has been either too small, too ugly, not upright, or with lots of holes in the sides. I don’t want to see a wrinkled blanket – except for the one on top, which I can deftly smooth out.
Baskets are cool on their own, so their reputation as decorative items is well-deserved, and they can also double as storage, whether for a pile of toys, a stack of bedding, or even a potted plant (maybe a nice container would be better). Professional organizer Laura Cattano explains why baskets are so handy in this regard: “When someone walks in, they see a pretty basket, not toys” or other stuff tucked inside. I don’t know what you’re looking at, but there are plenty of practical, non-ugly options out there, from kid-friendly cotton baskets to traditional wicker baskets, at a variety of price points. I’ve rounded up a few baskets that will fit your needs (plus a few unexpected options); some are larger than others, but even the smallest ones can hold a few pillows and a pretty blanket.
Rope basket prices vary widely, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money on them if you don’t want to. This one is made from soft cotton. I’ve bought several over the past year and a half. These baskets are roomy—about 20 inches wide and 13 inches tall—and I use them for everything from couch cushions to even my large yoga mat (so it’s safe to say that one basket can hold several pillows and a blanket or two). They’re well-made, have handles for easy carrying, and come in a variety of soft pastel colors that are so easy on the eyes. There will be a little sagging around the edges when the basket is empty, but once it’s full, it’s not an issue.
This basket makes me want to tidy up. Its generous dimensions (23 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high) and rectangular shape make me want to fold all my sheets and pillowcases, tuck them neatly inside, and then place a pillow or blanket on top for a chic, pleated effect. According to the seller, the basket has a sturdy frame “covered in tightly hand-woven rattan.”
If you’re in the market for a decorative storage basket, I recommend this exquisite handmade basket that I recently spotted while home shopping at Collyer’s Mansion in Brooklyn. Each basket is hand-woven from tortora cane by an artisan co-op in Peru, and I think their simple beauty is stunning. These baskets can stand on their own, and while their bases are a little narrower than the openings, the average size (pictured right) is 22 inches tall and 26 inches in diameter, allowing for a decent amount of bedding.
This vertical basket is a little on the small side, but if you’re anything like me, you probably won’t be able to resist its simple design in contrasting colors. I find the design calming, and it’s definitely a great choice if you plan on storing extra linens in your bedroom. The baskets are hand-woven from palm fibers by Mexican artisans, and each basket is 16 inches in diameter and 16 inches tall.
This is a basket woven from natural fibers (not cotton) and is more affordable. The light sections are made from natural corn and the dark stripes are made from sea grass. It has two handles and, according to the product description, can be placed independently of each other. This basket is also quite large, measuring about 23 inches wide and 15 inches high.
World Market is a treasure trove of inexpensive storage baskets. Handcrafted from natural hyacinth in the Philippines, this storage basket comes in a variety of sizes, but you’ll want to go for the extra-large (24 inches in diameter and 16 inches tall) one pictured on the right. It’s freestanding, has handles, and plenty of room for pillows and blankets.
Here’s another basket from World Market. This basket is a little small (19 inches in diameter and 14 inches tall), but I really like the bleached effect of the banana leaf weave. Although the basket is small, judging from the photos, there’s enough room for a pillow or two and a blanket, which might be all you need.
This basket has a more natural shape—I’d call it ovoid, though it’s also close to rectangular—and the two handles flow almost seamlessly into that shape. The design creates an almost curved silhouette, but at 21 inches long, 17 inches wide, and 17 inches high, the basket is still large enough to hold pillows and blankets.
Now for some off-the-shelf (or off-the-shelf?) tips. While this inexpensive basket from Target’s own home decor collection looks different than any of the other baskets on this list, it’s made of felt and has an open top (and built-in handles), just like you’re looking for. I love how cozy it is, as well as the contrast stitching on the top and sides, which gives it a more polished look. For some reason, the whole thing makes me think of Nordic elves. It’s a good size, too: about 20 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 14 inches tall.
I know you wanted an open option, but this ottoman with a slipcover is too cute to pass up. (It originally appeared in our roundup of woven baskets that double as storage and decor.) Made from sea grass, it can be used not only for storage but also as a side table or seat. It measures 21 inches in diameter and 13 inches tall. If you want to keep it open, you can leave it uncovered.
This is another covered basket that I just can’t resist. Handcrafted by women artisans in Senegal, it’s quite tall – about 39 inches tall and 19 inches in diameter. So it’s definitely a great addition to a living room or bedroom as a finishing touch, especially with its blue diamond pattern. It can also hold a bunch of sheets and pillows.
Okay, this one looks more like a laundry basket, but hear me out. While it looks bulky, it’s actually pretty small — 23 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and 19 inches tall. It’s freestanding and, unlike others on this list, has wheels for easy movement. Made by Massachusetts-based Steele Canvas Basket Company, this rolling cart with an “industrial-strength” steel frame is covered in natural canvas and can also be customized to some degree (you can choose from a variety of upholstery colors, even black canvas).
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