What's an item that can help you organize every room in your
home, helps create the appearance that you're a tidy housekeeper
(even if you're not), and perks up your decorating scheme?
Need another hint?
It comes in all shapes, sizes, colors and materials and can be
found in many local retail stores, including craft stores and
discount retailers, and at flea markets and craft shows and well
basically it's a universal item found all over the world. You
probably have one right now in your home.
It's a basket!
So the next time someone gives you one filled with anything from
sweets to colognes, don't discard it once you've used what's
in it. Once the items are gone, the basket's job has only just
begun. Read onward to find out how to use this wonderful item
in every room in your house.
For instance, in the kitchen, you can use hanging wall pocket
baskets, which have flat backs, to store dry sponges and
scrubbers as well as pot holders, oven mitts, dry dish rags
and spare kitchen hand towels.
And in your family room or den, you might use a deep, round or
cylindrical shaped basket on the coffee table to hold television
or other electronic remotes. A basket made of rags will slide
without scratching (or put a doily underneath). (Imagine never
losing the television remote again because you have an assigned
place to put it in full view--that blends in with your home
decor.)
And in the bedroom, a wicker hamper with a lid in the closet can
store extra pillows and keep them dust-free. If you see openings
in the wicker slats or don't like your linens snagging on the
inside of the basket, line the hamper with a sheet or large
gallon trash bag.
The ideas for using these globally designed and sold products
that have been around for decades are infinite. And probably no
product is so practical and useful as well as beautiful. (And
modestly priced too!) Baskets are handmade works of art that are
functional. Imagine serving drinks on that glorious one-of-a-kind
painting you have hanging on the wall. Not! But with baskets you
can literally put your most unique artwork into daily usage and
daily view.
Baskets come in many sizes, shapes and materials such as willow,
rattan, bamboo, rope, palm leaf, wire and rags. And many are
adorned with metal garnishes, dried coco flowers, gugo vine
handles and more.
It's that variety of qualities that make baskets so easy to
organize AND decorate with simultaneously.
And you don't have to take a basket as it comes. Dress up any
of your baskets by gluing on your own garnishments. For example,
craft stores sell all types of trinkets you can glue on your
baskets. Be creative. Try personalizing your baskets with
anything from buttons to plastic candy canes to miniature toy
figures or mini cloth stockings. You could also buy miniature
toys and figurines from typical large discount retailers or
smaller dollar stores. (What fun to do by yourself or with your
children). And when you're done, you can still put that basket
to work in an organizational function in your home---only it
will have twice the value to you (the purchase price plus the
priceless sentimental value).
(c) 2004-2005 Karen Fritscher-Porter
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