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.
Chicago limo Skokie ..Questions come my way all the time regarding my God-given... Read More
The following procedures will insure an organized and well run... Read More
Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals.... Read More
Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
If you look at any major organisation, there is this... Read More
We are in a society where people are applauded for... Read More
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have... Read More
Coping with clutter is rarely easy. There's more involved than... Read More
"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
Have you ever heard that having a cluttered home can... Read More
The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I... Read More
Digging out from under stacks of paper might seem like... Read More
Clothes. Check. School supplies. Check. No doubt you've got to... Read More
Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
The National Association of Professional Organizers has dedicated January to... Read More
What do your storage spaces look like? Do you know... Read More
Technology has given us the tools to reduce routine tasking,... Read More
1. A calendar is an essential organizing tool ? start... Read More
You really can have a successful business and a great... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
Many people have a huge challenge coping with the incoming... Read More
I have a huge white board in my home office,... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Worried because you're moving soon? This really doesn't have to... Read More
There are 3 kinds of clutter: Inner (between our ears);... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook... Read More
You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits... Read More
"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More
1) It's easy to have a good clear out: Not... Read More
I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More
Some people would say I'm the last person in the... Read More
Whatever your clutter problem the answer is the same: make... Read More
I'm sure most of you have heard of Zig Ziglar... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
When the things in your home start crowding in around... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
In many of the companies I have worked in, there... Read More
Light, Work, and YouWinter is here-and with it, short days,... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
Decluttering is a simple-to-learn process, once you break it down... Read More
Sometimes the task of keeping a clean, tidy house just... Read More
Professional organizers and helpful-hint sources often recommend storage solutions such... Read More
From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
Home organization means being able to find your stuff when... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
There are eight distinct steps to constructing and executing an... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |