Baskets seem to have taken over my home. There is a tobacco basket hanging above my bed, a winnowing basket displayed over my dry sink, and a Sardinian basket that resembles a traditional gnocchi basket sitting alongside a collection of other woven pieces.

As handmade and DIY objects continue to replace perfectly manufactured decor as symbols of personal style, baskets have found their way back into the spotlight. What was once considered a simple household craft has become a highly appreciated form of design. Erin Pollard, formerly Condé Nast’s executive director of fashion partnerships, has even built a successful basket-focused studio, Underwater Weaving, since leaving the corporate world. Her work includes rattan trail baskets sold alongside luxury fashion, while basket artist Jeremy Frey received a 2025 MacArthur “Genius Grant” for his work preserving and advancing the Passamaquoddy basket-making tradition.

Basket collections have also become increasingly visible in home interiors, with woven pieces appearing throughout carefully designed houses. As someone who has always appreciated them, I started looking for baskets that could be used for storage, displayed on walls, or simply enjoyed as decorative objects.

Baskets have a special way of adding warmth and character to an interior. Their natural materials and handmade appearance can soften a room while providing a practical place to hide everyday clutter. In my own home, a wicker hamper takes care of dirty laundry, a Bolga basket from northern Ghana holds scarves, hats, and stray socks, and a seagrass basket keeps my collection of oversized throw blankets under control.

Choose Baskets with Handles for Storage

If you plan to use a basket primarily for storage, I strongly recommend choosing one with a handle. Storage baskets tend to be moved from one place to another, so having something easy to grab makes them much more convenient.

Bolga baskets are a great example, particularly those fitted with leather handles. Shaker splint baskets with ash handles are another practical option. That said, handles are not essential for every storage basket. A smaller basket without handles can still work beautifully as a container for kitchen utensils, a wine carrier, or a general catch-all.

East Fork’s splint baskets are a good example of this simpler approach. Made in Dresden, Ohio, a community known for its basket-making tradition, these compact woven pieces combine useful storage with an attractive handcrafted appearance.

For Hanging

Hanging baskets are one of my favorite ways to decorate an otherwise overlooked wall or ceiling. They can occupy a surprising amount of visual space without requiring the expense of a large piece of artwork.

My own gnocchi-style basket is a favorite decoration in my bedroom, and it cost only 13 euros. That is part of what makes hanging baskets so appealing. They can fill a large section of a wall for considerably less money than a large framed print.

My favorite style for this purpose is a broad, relatively flat winnowing or sieving basket. These baskets were originally designed for practical tasks such as separating grain or allowing food to dry. Their decorative appeal comes largely from their history and evidence of use.

For that reason, I prefer pieces that genuinely look as though they have been used rather than newly manufactured reproductions. Vintage marketplaces, independent makers, and local craftspeople can all be excellent sources. Handwoven baskets made by craftspeople with connections to traditional West African techniques are particularly appealing because they bring cultural history and craftsmanship into the home.

For Decorating

If you are collecting baskets purely for decoration, there are almost no limitations. They do not need to store anything or serve a particular practical purpose. Their shape, texture, material, and history can be enough to make them worthwhile.

A shallow Ethiopian gambella canoe basket, for example, can make an interesting centerpiece for a dining table or coffee table. Its natural texture is especially effective when placed against smooth materials such as glass or glossy finishes, where it introduces warmth and visual contrast.

More sculptural baskets can also function as statement pieces. Wavy Pakurigo baskets can become an eye-catching accent beside a chair or sofa, while an appropriately shaped Ikebana basket can add vertical height to a display.

Some baskets are valuable enough to be treated almost like artwork. Native American coiled baskets can look beautiful placed on a carefully arranged shelf, where their intricate construction becomes part of the room's visual story.

Other woven pieces can contribute a more relaxed farmhouse character. A large woven tote, for instance, can introduce a casual rural feeling while still functioning as an attractive decorative object.

Let Baskets Add Texture and Personality

One of the greatest strengths of baskets is their ability to make a room feel more personal. Unlike mass-produced decorations that can sometimes make an interior appear overly polished, handmade woven pieces carry visible signs of craftsmanship.

They introduce natural fibers, irregular textures, earthy tones, and evidence of human hands into a space. Whether a basket is hanging above a bed, holding blankets beside a sofa, organizing everyday accessories, or sitting on a shelf as an object of admiration, it can make an interior feel warmer and more lived-in.

The best baskets do not simply fill an empty space. They combine beauty, usefulness, history, and personality, making them an especially versatile addition to almost any room.