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.
Batchtown Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareDo you feel like you just get too much e-mail?... Read More
Much of my time as a Professional Organizer is spent... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
1. In terms of organization, what is the first thing... Read More
Have you ever heard that having a cluttered home can... Read More
Getting organized is hard. If it weren't, we wouldn't put... Read More
1. Divide big jobs into smaller jobs. Make a list... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
What stops you from 'getting things done?'Have you ever started... Read More
The Law of the 1st StepA good first step in... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More
A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More
After more than 20 years as an entrepreneur and a... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your home? Start... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
? Are you embarrassed when you walk into your home... Read More
There is nothing worse then spending ten minutes looking for... Read More
Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More
I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
We hear it every day."Buy this product, and simplify your... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More
(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More
'A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view... Read More
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
Life is really all about CHANGE. In order to make... Read More
You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More
In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More
"I don't have enough room!" -- this is a common... Read More
Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or... Read More
Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More
Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook... Read More
A lot of us grew up with Mom taking care... Read More
Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake... Read More
Our children are probably the biggest clutter creators we have... Read More
Clutter is a big problem for many people. At a... Read More
The true definition of an organization is one that is... Read More
I like a room you can dance in the middle... Read More
Worried because you're moving soon? This really doesn't have to... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
Each area of your home has a symbolic meaning with... Read More
Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |