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 Karen Fritscher-Porter
About The Author
Excerpted from the book entitled How to Organize and Decorate with Baskets by Karen Fritscher-Porter. Learn how to get your own copy at http://www.OrganizeWithBaskets.com.
It may seem far-fetched, but by organizing your desk, your... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking,... Read More
How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More
Time has flown. It's been six months since you came... Read More
If you have piles of paper all over your desk,... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
1. Divide big jobs into smaller jobs. Make a list... Read More
1. The Law of the 1st StepA good first step... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More
Spring is such a refreshing time- we are filled with... Read More
Keeping on task and getting organized starts with a basic... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
(This is the third in a series of three articles... Read More
Recently, in an online group, we talked about "balance" and... Read More
From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
Do you like storing your papers on top of your... Read More
I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More
Home organization means being able to find your stuff when... Read More
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
You arrived on earth without clutter. Your parents and doting... Read More
Has your polished mahogany (or modular plastic) desk been buried... Read More
Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More
Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More
When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More
Staying organized can be a constant battle. The following organizing... Read More
It wasn't long ago that you spent an entire weekend... Read More
If you have piles of paper all over your desk,... Read More
Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More
1. The Law of the 1st StepA good first step... Read More
1. THE LOVE IT OR LOSE IT PRINCIPLE: Every item... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
Chances are, most of you have a lot you need... Read More
In one of my favorite books, First Things First, written... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
Laundry. You sort, you wash, you fold, you blink ?... Read More
Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More
1. Teach your children to use an alarm clock or... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More
Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More
Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More
"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More
After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More
EVERY HOME NEEDS AN OFFICEYes, it is true that every... Read More
Does Your Present Internet Filing System Work?Do You Really Know... Read More
Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More
How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More
Your closet is often the first thing you see in... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |