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A Beautiful Wicker Basket Adds Texture and Storage Options

When choosing decorative objects for a room, our first thoughts are usually about style and color. A wicker basket is a great way to add that often forgotten style element – texture. Wicker can be a wonderful escape from all of the other smooth textures usually found in our upholstery and window treatments. And, if you have any baskets in your home already, you know what great organizers they make. Let’s take a look at how to make the best use of wicker baskets for both style and as a great organizational tool.

Wicker baskets have actually been around since ancient times and were probably one of the earliest art forms. Our modern day wicker baskets are usually made from reed, cane or other plant materials that are pliable when they are wet. Patterns are often made by either using different colored fibers or by changing the weaving techniques.

A wicker basket can be in its natural state or purchased with a fabric or plastic liner that is very useful for holding different sorts of kitchen items. Look for them in home decorating stores, discount stores and at flea markets and yard sales. When choosing a basket, keep in mind the décor style of the room it is intended for. An old fashioned wicker basket would fit in better with traditional or country styled room than a room with contemporary décor.

Here are a few of the many ways that wicker baskets can be used to add style and organization to your home. Small wicker baskets are perfect to hold items such as keys, wallets and sunglasses as you come into the house. Many people also use a flat wicker basket to hold their mail. Another popular decorating style is the use of a large wicket basket as a coffee table, topped off with a piece of glass. Or if you have a regular coffee table you can slide a wicker storage basket underneath to hold items that you need access to but want to keep organized and out of sight.

Using natural or white wicker baskets to hold flowers can be beautiful. Artificial flowers can be placed in a piece of foam inside a basket that has a tight weave so the foam is not seen. Or choose a basket with a liner and use a small container of water to hold fresh flowers. Perhaps the easiest and most coordinated look is to use a wicker basket to display dried flowers. This is a great look for a living room shelf or as a dining room or kitchen table centerpiece.

A popular look in homes with country décor is to hang a grouping of wicker baskets on the wall. It’s fun to choose baskets that are a little different as far as shape, size or color to add some interest to the display. This technique works the best with baskets that are not very deep, but, like any décor, there are so set rules – it’s your home!

A large wicker basket can be used in the bathroom to hold towels or bathroom supplies. Wicker laundry baskets and hampers are also very popular these days. When using these baskets to hold clothing, it’s a good idea to either select a basket with a tight weave or one that has a fabric liner so that the clothing does not snag on a loose piece of wicker. And don’t forget about the ever popular stair basket to organize loose items that need to go upstairs.

Wicker baskets seem to have taken over in entryways and mud rooms as the best way to organize shoes, boots and mittens as well as toys and school items for kids. Some wall units and benches come with a set of baskets, but there is no reason you can’t create your own organizer unit that is both functional and very attractive. Measure your shelf or bookshelves and then look for wicker storage baskets that will fit the space. The baskets really act as drawers that can be pulled out to look for items as they are needed.

Caring for your wicker baskets is relatively easy. They can be dusted or vacuumed to remove dust and it is also a good idea to wipe them down with a damp cloth every once in a while. Clean up any spills right away to make sure the wicker is not stained. Wicker can get moldy if it is continually damp, so it’s best to keep them out of very humid conditions.