Decorating
French Market Baskets Do More Than Carry the Groceries
Take your tote from farmers' market to furnishing piece with these storage ideas using your chic weekend shopper
There’s nothing like toting a handwoven basket to the farmers’ market on a Saturday morning to make you feel like you’re in the south of France. Worth their weight in aesthetic appeal, these practical shoppers are also a great storage solution in the home. Perfect for holding everything from magazines and kids’ toys to towels and knitting wool, pick up a few ideas from these market baskets that carry more than fresh produce.
The more the merrier
Lined up under an island bench, multiple baskets are ideal for holding non-breakables, such as linen, tea towels or even onions. If they have handles, so much the better – they’re easy to pick up and plonk on the bench for easy access to their contents.
Lined up under an island bench, multiple baskets are ideal for holding non-breakables, such as linen, tea towels or even onions. If they have handles, so much the better – they’re easy to pick up and plonk on the bench for easy access to their contents.
Hang on wall hooks
Two or three hooks are all that’s needed for some very handy storage in a narrow kitchen – from holding utensils to potatoes, a wall of market baskets becomes a charming makeshift cupboard.
Creative hanging storage ideas
Two or three hooks are all that’s needed for some very handy storage in a narrow kitchen – from holding utensils to potatoes, a wall of market baskets becomes a charming makeshift cupboard.
Creative hanging storage ideas
Add a pretty planter
Keep house plants looking tidy atop the kitchen bench by placing pots inside a mini market basket, handles optional. The natural fibre will beautifully complement cooler materials such as marble and stainless steel.
TIP: If your pot doesn’t have holes in the bottom, create a drainage layer with stones, pebbles or activated charcoal and remember that a little water goes a long way.
Keep house plants looking tidy atop the kitchen bench by placing pots inside a mini market basket, handles optional. The natural fibre will beautifully complement cooler materials such as marble and stainless steel.
TIP: If your pot doesn’t have holes in the bottom, create a drainage layer with stones, pebbles or activated charcoal and remember that a little water goes a long way.
Minimise bedside mess
If your side table is becoming cluttered or lacks a drawer to stash your sleep essentials, try popping a soft seagrass shopper underneath. Your tissues, eye mask and (switched off) electronics will all be within arm’s reach, saving space on top for tea, flowers and your favourite book.
If your side table is becoming cluttered or lacks a drawer to stash your sleep essentials, try popping a soft seagrass shopper underneath. Your tissues, eye mask and (switched off) electronics will all be within arm’s reach, saving space on top for tea, flowers and your favourite book.
Improvise with linen storage
A basket or two placed at the foot of your bed is a space-saving way to accommodate spare blankets and linen. Think beyond the au naturel variety and try more colourful finds that match the decor.
A basket or two placed at the foot of your bed is a space-saving way to accommodate spare blankets and linen. Think beyond the au naturel variety and try more colourful finds that match the decor.
Keep essentials on hand
Bathrooms are often one of the trickiest rooms when it comes to finding adequate storage, and any bit of help can make a big difference. Sit a medium-to-large shopper by the tub to hold your towel, lotions and a good read – the best part is that you can move it around as needed or take it with you when you’re done.
Bathrooms are often one of the trickiest rooms when it comes to finding adequate storage, and any bit of help can make a big difference. Sit a medium-to-large shopper by the tub to hold your towel, lotions and a good read – the best part is that you can move it around as needed or take it with you when you’re done.
Put products on display
A few strategically placed baskets can solve myriad storage dilemmas in the bathroom, while having items in clear sight will save guests from having to rummage through drawers to find some soap. Bathroom materials such as porcelain, ceramic and marble can often leave the space feeling chilly; introducing some leather and natural fibres will instantly make it feel more warm and inviting.
A few strategically placed baskets can solve myriad storage dilemmas in the bathroom, while having items in clear sight will save guests from having to rummage through drawers to find some soap. Bathroom materials such as porcelain, ceramic and marble can often leave the space feeling chilly; introducing some leather and natural fibres will instantly make it feel more warm and inviting.
Introduce texture
Natural materials such as sisal, rattan and palm leaf are perfect for adding textural elements to a room, and a market basket is an easy and affordable addition. Good for holding magazines and throw rugs, it will also come in handy if you need to pop out to the shops before dinner.
What goes with a brown leather couch?
Natural materials such as sisal, rattan and palm leaf are perfect for adding textural elements to a room, and a market basket is an easy and affordable addition. Good for holding magazines and throw rugs, it will also come in handy if you need to pop out to the shops before dinner.
What goes with a brown leather couch?
Keep hobbies on hand
Keep the table clear and tidy by giving knitting wool its own basket – tote it around the house as needed and never misplace an errant needle again. They are also fabulous for kids’ craft activities such as play dough tools and scrapbooking crafts, which tend to leave a trail behind.
Keep the table clear and tidy by giving knitting wool its own basket – tote it around the house as needed and never misplace an errant needle again. They are also fabulous for kids’ craft activities such as play dough tools and scrapbooking crafts, which tend to leave a trail behind.
Add a touch of B&B chic
Bring bed-and-breakfast comfort to your guest room by popping in a tote basket with fresh towels and toiletries – an extra touch that’s sure to make for a memorable stay. If you’re feeling generous, use it as a gift hamper filled with food and wine.
Bring bed-and-breakfast comfort to your guest room by popping in a tote basket with fresh towels and toiletries – an extra touch that’s sure to make for a memorable stay. If you’re feeling generous, use it as a gift hamper filled with food and wine.
Tidy up toys
Soft and tactile, market baskets are an easy way to keep kids’ toys in order. Have fun with colours and maybe even dip-dye your own with some water-based paint. Vary sizes to suit the contents and encourage little ones to pack away their own belongings after playtime. Heading to the park? Keep a basket packed and ready to go by the door.
See more tidy kids’ spaces
Soft and tactile, market baskets are an easy way to keep kids’ toys in order. Have fun with colours and maybe even dip-dye your own with some water-based paint. Vary sizes to suit the contents and encourage little ones to pack away their own belongings after playtime. Heading to the park? Keep a basket packed and ready to go by the door.
See more tidy kids’ spaces
Stack your firewood in style
The fireplace may not be the first area of your home that springs to mind when thinking about chic storage solutions, but a durable market basket is both a good-looking and practical option for holding those splintery logs. Try an oversized crochet basket in a sturdy cotton yarn to soften a hard space.
TELL US
How have you put a market basket to work at home? Share your ideas and images in the Comments.
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Browse more storage ideas
The fireplace may not be the first area of your home that springs to mind when thinking about chic storage solutions, but a durable market basket is both a good-looking and practical option for holding those splintery logs. Try an oversized crochet basket in a sturdy cotton yarn to soften a hard space.
TELL US
How have you put a market basket to work at home? Share your ideas and images in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more storage ideas
This practical, single-purpose room is often overlooked, becoming a place to simply toss dirty boots and wet jackets. Give your mudroom some country style by using a basket to hold umbrellas, dog leads and other bits and pieces that often end up on the floor.