The Best Storage Baskets to Banish Clutter

When you’re stashing items on a shelf, your storage needs are bound to change over time. That’s why we love this basket’s flexibility—it folds flat when not in use. The decorative fabric baskets, made of polyester and faux leather, come in seven different sizes and more than 20 colors and patterns, so you can select something that feels highly custom and looks just right in your space.

Each bin is also exceptionally lightweight and has faux leather handles, so you can easily pull each one off the shelf when you need it. You can even take it from room to room—like from a walk-in pantry into your kitchen, for example. The durable bins are easy to spot clean, too.

There is one notable downside: Because these bins are so light, you won’t be able to overload them with heavy items. The stitched handles may snap under the pressure.

Price at time of publish: $27

_{Dimensions: Varies | Material: Fabric | Color options: 22 colors}

There may be a lot of storage bins out there, but these items tend to be pricey and don’t always feel attainable—especially when you need a whole bunch. Thankfully, Amazon Basics has a great budget-friendly option.

You really can’t beat the price of this six-pack, and you won’t sacrifice much by going this route. We love the canvas-like fabric material. It’s not only attractive, but also nice and lightweight, which makes the storage bins easy to carry. They’re also equipped with handles, so you can grab it and take it from place to place, if you need to. What’s more, the baskets come in your choice of eight colors and two sizes, so you can cherry pick the one that best suits your space.

If there’s any downside to this storage solution, it’s that they’re collapsible. Plus, they won’t always hold their shape—especially if you pack them with heavier items. Still, we think these cubes have a lot of potential—for your toddler’s stuffed animals, your underwear and socks, and your teen’s stack of tees.

Price at time of publish: $20/6-pack

_{Dimensions: 10.5 x 11 x 10.5 inches | Material: Fabric | Color options: 8 colors}

We love the Open Spaces Medium Storage Bins—they’re a thing of beauty! But we also appreciate how functional and customizable they are—you can make them work in just about any space. While the style is a little more utilitarian that we might like, the plastic material is sleek, easy to wipe down, and ultra durable. Plus, there are three sizes to choose from: small, medium, and large. (You can even buy a three-pack that includes one of each.)

We gravitate towards the medium size because it’s highly versatile and can house a variety of household items. Use these to store important files, small kids’ toys, cleaning supplies, and more.

The plastic bins come in two colors—white and soft blue—so you can choose whichever one suits your aesthetic. Just note: If you want lids for your bins, you’ll have to pay up. The wooden lids add a significant dollar figure to your order—especially if you’re purchasing multiple baskets. Of course, we’d love to see these bins at a more budget-friendly price, but despite the price tag, we think the Open Spaces Medium Storage Bins are highly functional, providing great overall value.

Price at time of publish: $54

_{Dimensions: 8.3 x 10.8 x 6.3 inches | Material: Plastic | Color options: White, blue}

We also love that each basket is handmade and comes with its own unique variations. While you’ll definitely pay the price for this type of construction, it makes the piece feel that much more special and worthy of the expense.

Price at time of publish: $228

_{Dimensions: 15.25 x 18 inches | Material: Rattan | Color options: Black}

When you want to swap out your seasonal wardrobe, The Lifewit Clothes Storage Bag is the perfect storage solution. The bags, which are available in sets of three, four, five, or six, are easy to pack and feature a clear window that allows you to see exactly what’s inside each one—no need to whip out the labels.

The zippered bags form a tight seal around your clothes, too, so there’s little risk of damage while they’re in storage. Still, the non-woven fabric encourages enough ventilation to keep everything in tip-top condition. These storage bags are also ideal for extra bedding, toys, and pillows.

The bags have handles on both sides, so you can grab them off the top shelf of your closet. Just note: Because they’re rather lightweight, the collapsible bag won’t hold its shape when not fully packed. It’s a delicate balance, though—the handles may rip if you overstuff the bag with heavier textiles.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Dimensions: ‎78.7 x 47.2 x 7.5 inches | Material: Fabric, polyvinyl chloride | Color options: Gray, blue, black}

If you want a storage basket that doubles as a decorative piece, we love the Taka Large Woven Vegan Leather Basket from Crate & Barrel. The faux leather piece comes in the most beautiful handwoven design, and the cognac hue matches just about any decor scheme.

Despite its show-stopping aesthetic, the piece is highly functional. It has enough structure for any number of items—throw pillows and blankets, children’s toys, or even coffee table books. Just be careful with heavier items like the latter. While the basket is durable, when carried, it could break under excess weight.

Because it’s not real leather (though it sure does look like it!), the basket is easy to clean. Simply wipe it down with a soft cloth.

Price at time of publish: $100

_{Dimensions: 18 x 17.5 inches | Material: Faux leather | Color options: Cognac}

If you’re looking for a basket with a lid—say, to hold large throw pillows or blankets—you’ll want to check out this stylish yet functional find from Target. The durable basket also works as a tabletop, making it a smart pick to use a nightstand or an end table or even in a child’s bedroom. Its wire construction adds charm, plus it makes it easy to see what you have stored—whether it’s a chunky extra blanket for the sofa or a convenient place to store your child’s picture books.

The round, wooden lid stays securely in place, and the handles make it a cinch to carry from room to room. We love how useful this affordable basket is, serving as a tiny table and a storage solution, too!

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Dimensions: 19.38” x 19.25” x 19.25” | Material: Metal and wood | Color options: N/A}

In a playroom or nursery, a large fabric basket is a great alternative to smaller bins on a shelf. While those smaller bins may keep different types of toys separate and organized, they don’t always fit the larger toys—stuffed animals, cars, and building blocks, for example. Plus, it’s easier for little ones to pick everything up off the floor and place it all in a single spot.

We love that although it’s made of fabric, the roped design makes this storage basket extra durable. The large capacity interior accommodates all types of toys, plus has two handles for easy carrying. And, if you really want something that perfectly matches your space, it comes in an impressive 12 colors, from a muted gray to a cheerful pink. Just note: You might want to go with a darker color to hide any scuffs or marks it may get while being housed on the floor.

Price at time of publish: $38

_{Dimensions: 21.65 x 21.65 x 13.78 inches | Material: Cotton | Color options: 12 colors}

For a cute wire basket, check out the stylish find we found at Target. Available in white or black, we think these baskets would be perfect in a pantry to store dry goods. Load these up with sacks of flour, baking supplies, and jars of spices. Just note, as pro organizer Jones explains, “Size comes into play regarding wire baskets because you have to assess what you are storing, and be sure that the open space in the wire basket isn’t too wide.”

Equipped with wooden handles, this iron wire basket is useful for bringing supplies from one area to another, such as from a pantry shelf to the kitchen countertop.

If you spill, the wire construction makes it easy to clean. Plus, the affordable price makes it doable to buy more than one, so that you can create a set in your kitchen, the bathroom, the laundry room, or even for your child’s library shelf.

Price at time of publish: $15+

_{Dimensions: 8 Inches x 12.75 Inches x 10 Inches | Material: Iron | Color options: White, black}

For something a little more decorative than utilitarian, check out the natural rattan Modern Weave Round Lidded Baskets from West Elm. The woven baskets add warmth and texture to your space, while lending some opportunity for storage.

The medium option is pretty enough to display on a shelf or table, yet hide the remote and some odds and ends. And you can’t beat the look. Each basket is handwoven in the Philippines with attention to detail. In fact, they come in two graduating sizes, so you can get both and stack them up or nest them when they’re not in use.

Price at time of publish: $98+

_{Dimensions: 20 x 10 inches | Material: Rattan | Color options: Whitewash, natural}

The Nordic Storage Baskets from The Container Store may be plastic, but they’re much more attractive than your average plastic bin. Each white storage basket is made from post-consumer recycled material and has holes that allow for ventilation and easy viewing. The rectangular bins are nice and smooth, too, so they readily slide on and off whatever shelf you put them on, making it easy to grab whatever you need whenever you need it. They stack and can even be labeled with a dry erase marker, too.

The storage baskets come in three sizes—small, medium, and large—and you can choose from a matching white or clear lid or a contrasting bamboo, charcoal, or blank one to add a touch of warmth to the setup. Just note: The lids aren’t super secure the way latched versions are—if having something more airtight is important to you, you might want to look elsewhere.

Price at time of publish: $8+

_{Dimensions: Varies | Material: Plastic | Color options: 5 colors}

The Bay Isle Home 3-Piece Wicker Basket Set may be made of wicker, but each piece in the set of three looks more like a high-end woven option. Each of the three baskets—small, medium, and large—nest within each other, too, so you can stack them neatly when not in use. “I prefer wicker baskets as they can both work in the design of your space and allow you to camouflage what you are storing,” Jones says.

The baskets are all nice and sturdy, thanks to reinforced edges. Cut-outs on each side that serve as handles make it easier to move these baskets around if needed. Unfortunately, you might want to avoid stashing anything potentially wet or messy in these baskets, as they’re harder to clean than other options. We think storing these in the pantry might be a good option, such as for holding boxes of dry pasta or canned goods. If your kitchen is all set, these baskets would look good, too, as a way to organize a desk area or office.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Dimensions: Varies | Material: Wicker | Color options: Natural}

There are a lot of things to corral in a nursery—toys, books, stuffed animals, diapers, and more. We love this toy chest from Pottery Barn because it can be used for a wide range of the items listed above. Plus, the storage basket is just one item in a line of complementary products. You can buy the same thing in multiple sizes for everything you want to organize. You can even buy liners for the whitewashed rattan baskets. They’re pricey, but they come labeled “toy chest,” “books,” “laundry,” etc. You’ll always know where everything belongs.

The baskets are structured and highly durable, too, and made from rattan and buri, a native palm found in the Philippines. So while you’ll definitely pay a premium, the overall value is excellent—especially because these are items you’ll have for years and years to come.

Price at time of publish: $169

_{Dimensions: 23.5 x 15 x 14 inches | Material: Rattan, buri | Color options: White washed}

Final Verdict

Overall, we recommend the DECOMOMO Foldable Storage Bin because they are durable and easy to keep clean. But if you’re looking for something a little more affordable, you’ll love the Amazon Basics Collapsible Fabric Storage Cubes. The set of six handled storage cubes come in two sizes and an array of colors, are super lightweight, and accommodate a wide range of items.

FAQ

• What is the best material for storage baskets?

  Storage baskets come in many different materials, including wood, metal, and fabric. They also come with a variety of features—coordinating tops, wheels on the bottom, and peek-a-boo windows, for example. Choosing the right bin depends on where it is going and what it will be holding. “For bathroom storage, for example, I prefer using acrylic bins, because if you have a liquid that spills, acrylic bins are easy to clean up,” says professional organizer Lauren Saltman. “I also like acrylic bins, because it’s easy to see what’s inside.” In an area like the kitchen, opt for bamboo bins. Generally speaking, bamboo will match the interior of the drawer, making it look as if they are built into the drawer for a customized feel. And, if you’re organizing an open space, such as a bookshelf in your family room, Saltman recommends fabric bins that coordinate with the decor of the room.

• How long do storage baskets last?

  With regular use, storage bins can last indefinitely, says Saltman. But if you’re subjecting your storage bins to very heavy use—like in a kids’ playroom, for example—choose a bin that is very sturdy and that can withstand constant handling.

• Do storage baskets really help you get organized?

  In order to get organized, you have to declutter first, says Saltman. But once you do this, storage baskets are a great organizing tool. “If you don’t declutter, then you end up organizing items that you don’t need or want in your home,” she explains. “Once you’ve decluttered the area you are working on, then it’s time to go shopping, either utilizing items you already have in your home or shopping for something new that fits the decor in the area you are organizing.”