A key concept in organizing is “containment”: corralling similar items together and keeping them separate from other items, usually with some type of basket, container or divider.  While not required to be organized, using such items does make staying organized much easier.  That’s why this month’s Organizing Favourites post focuses on one of the best products for containment: baskets.  I’m highlighting why, when combined with labels, they’re organizing superstars and 20 easy ways to use them to get and stay organized.

6 Benefits of Organizing With Baskets

1) Baskets eliminate visual clutter.  Storing items in baskets reduces the visual stimuli you’re exposed to, which as this article from Bustle.com highlights, can reduce stress levels and increase productivity, among other things.  You can minimize visual clutter even further by using similar baskets (colour, material etc.) throughout each space.

2) Baskets make the retrieval and return of items easy.  The open nature of baskets means it’s still quick and easy to access an item and, just as importantly, to return it to its proper home. It’s seems small, but the extra step of removing a lid to put an item away is the downfall of many systems.  Lids increase the chances you’ll set an item beside or on top of the container to be properly dealt with later.  And while you have the best intentions to deal with it later, more often than not, you don’t.  Or at least you don’t until there are 6 or 7 items piled up.

3) Systems using baskets are easy to maintain.  Because the combination of baskets and labels make it quick and easy to find, retrieve and return items, the chances of the system lasting are increased.

4) Baskets establish limits.  In one quick glance you have an instant visual cue of how much (or little) of an item you have.  When the basket is close to empty it’s time to get more.  Conversely, when it’s full you don’t have room for more unless you let something go.

5) Baskets establish limits. Baskets come in all different shapes, sizes, colours and textures, including, rattan, plastic, acrylic, felt, wire and metal to name just a few.  This makes it easy to find ones that match your functional and aesthetic needs. And when your organizing needs change, baskets are easy to repurpose in another space, closet, cupboard or drawer.

6) Baskets are affordable.  Prices vary for baskets depending on size and material, but you can find all sorts of great baskets for organizing at dollar stores and thrift stores starting at just a couple of dollars. If you have a little more in your budget, Winners, Homesense and Marshalls are great places to find deals also.

Size (Of Your Baskets) Matters!

Before highlighting 20 ways to get organized with baskets, a quick tip: before buying baskets (or any organizing product), sort, purge and assess what remains first to be sure you get the right number, type and size of baskets for your needs.  This is an instance where size really does matter!  If a container is too large, it’s likely unrelated items will get tossed in.  If it’s too small, not everything will fit.  In both instances, you’ll lose the key benefit of “like with like” and the system will break down.

20 Ways To Organize Just About Everything With Baskets

Baskets are an organizing workhorse in the kitchen and pantry.  They’re a great option to organize and store food.

To corral Tupperware lids and smaller Tupperware.

And to vertically store baking sheets and muffin tins.

If you keep multiple items on the counter, keeping them together in a basket keeps your space looking neat and tidy.

You can make getting the spices you need easier by storing them in a basket you can easily access.

Use baskets to keep kitchen accessories tidy in your cupboards.

And make storage and access to supplies like paper towel easier with baskets.

Outside of the kitchen, baskets are also great in entryways to store hats, mitts and scarves.

And as a “drop zone” for mail, keys, or items that are leaving the house.

Baskets are super in linen closets for sheets and towels.

And for medications and surplus toiletries.

In the bathroom, I love using baskets under sinks and in drawers to make getting ready fast and easy.

In the family room, a basket is a great way to hide the clutter created by remotes or gaming controls.

And to store extra blankets and pillows.

The easy retrieval and return of items make baskets an especially good choice for toys.

You can create easy access to gift bags by storing them vertically in a basket.

In the bedroom, use baskets to keep your clothes neat and tidy.

You can use an open basket as an alternative to a filing cabinet or file box.

Finally, one of my favourite ways to use a basket is to keep an empty one under a console table or tucked in a closet that you can grab to quickly gather items at the end of the day (or before company arrives 😉) to be returned to their proper homes.  It saves you the time and energy of making multiple trips from room to room.

Conclusion

Visibility, accessibility, and flexibility are the trifecta when organizing and baskets provide all three.  And because they make it quick and easy to retrieve and return items, the chances of staying organized are increased.  Give these 20 easy basket organizing ideas a try and find out for yourself!  For more Organizing Favourites posts, click here for command hooks, here for hanging shoe pockets, here for tension rods here, here for magazine racks, here for bakeware racks, and here for labels.

What’s your favourite way to organize with baskets?  Let me know in the comments below.  If you liked this post, please share it.

Happy organizing!