I Asked Designers for the Cutest, Cheapest Organizer, and They Basically All Said This

When it comes to simple, inexpensive organization solutions, designers love one item a little more than most others, and that’s storage baskets. Whether woven from natural fibers or made of cloth, plastic, or metal, these organizing all-stars can serve a multitude of purposes. From stashing scarves and small accessories in a closet to styled out on a bookshelf to keep magazines and other paper goods neat, storage baskets are the designer-approved accessory that can make just about any room or setup feel visually calmer and less cluttered. 

“My favorite accessory to help with organizing is by far a basket,” says Kim Taylor, marketing director and designer with Two Hands Interiors. “With a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, they can fit the aesthetic of a room while simultaneously keeping things tidy.” 

Taylor likes to use baskets to tuck away blankets in family rooms, while in a kid’s room, she’ll fill them with stuffed animals, blocks, and other smalls. She also incorporates them into home offices. “A basket on a shelf can almost function like a drawer and hold everyday supplies,” Taylor says.

You may have noticed designers love to source nesting and stackable baskets in particular because they are extra space-saving. “Many people overlook budgeting for custom closets, but everyone can benefit from a bit more organization in their clothing storage,” says Katelyn De Spain, who likes to use these stackable, foldable baskets that are easy to assemble (similar styles are available at Amazon). “Whether you own or rent your home, these affordable and stylish baskets will quickly transform your closet into a well-organized and appealing space,” the founder of Makehouse Design Studio adds.

Stackable baskets don’t need to be quite as large as the above ones to get the job done. Designer Claudia Kalur, the founder of CFK Interiors, relies on smaller stacking baskets from Muji in her bathroom to hold nail polish, makeup, and more. “At the studio, I love their baskets for material samples and files,” she adds. 

Not a basket person? Bowls are another great contender that can serve the same purpose as baskets in many instances. “I love vintage, handmade trinket bowls,” says designer Rebecca Plumb, the founder of Studio Plumb. “I’m always on the lookout when I’m thrifting or at the flea market — the funkier the better and a bonus if they have a footed base! They’re perfect for the final styling layer topping a stack of books, on a nightstand to corral jewelry, or by the door for keys and change.”