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In the bathroom… (Continued From Previous Page)
41. Use a small basket with a handle for storing small size cosmetics that
you use frequently. Find one that has solid sides or a tight weave so
items don't fall out the sides. If you put the cosmetics that you plan to
reapply throughout the day here, such as lipstick, then you don't have to
search through the drawers for these items continuously during the day.
42. Find a matching larger basket to hold your hairbrushes, combs,
toothpaste, and deodorant. A utensil, or silverware, caddy basket with
dividers works well for this usage (except instead of separating forks and
spoons, it separates your hairbrush and lotion bottles).
43. One or two baskets for your spouse's toiletries will work wonders in
helping him or her to keep the bathroom neater, and he or she will never
have to ask you where an item is again---or where it goes.
44. Put long rectangular baskets under the sink side-by-side to store
everything from cleaning supplies to rubbing alcohol. You can pull out the
baskets like drawers. That way you never have to deal with the bowling pin
effect from accidentally knocking over bottles. Plus you can easily
utilize and reach the far back area of the cabinet.
45. Get tiny square or round baskets that fit into your medicine chest.
Use them to sort and keep handy everything from cotton balls and swabs to
small sample sized containers and packages of toothpaste and shampoos. (A
basket of sample sized toiletries is also great for offering to guests or
placing in the guest bathroom.)
In my bathroom, I have a tiny red and green basket shaped like a duck. It
uses very little room and fits perfectly on the counter to keep handy
small items I'm using that day or frequently such as hair pins, a contact
lens case, a face powder compact and the lipstick of the day. And the
basket colors match my wall paper and other décor, which also contain
shades of red and green. You might consider getting a trio of these very
inexpensive duck baskets to arrange in a line on a shelf or counter and
add pizzazz to your bathroom.
46. Double-tiered wicker basket stands can stand alone and hold tissue,
towels and toiletries on both levels. These free-standing baskets often
rest on attached wicker legs (like the same concept of a stand that holds
an easel pad). That means they leave your countertop bare.
47. Small baskets are ideal for dressing up the bathroom counter with
guest soaps. Try lining the basket with a pretty cloth. Cut a
square-shaped piece from a garment or linen you no longer have use for.
Fluff it up around the rim. Then add decorative soaps of assorted colors
and shapes and warn your family they're for guest or decorative purposes
only.
48. A small basket is also perfect for holding potpourri, adding a bit of
fragrance and color to your bathroom scheme. Throw in some sea shells.
49. Small rectangular or round shaped baskets set on the back corner of a
counter are perfect for holding extra washcloths or rolled up hand towels.
50. Use a larger decorative magazine basket on the floor to hold extra
rolled up bath towels.
51. Of course, you can put magazines, newspapers and books in a magazine
basket too in the corner. That's good for someone who likes to read while
bathing in the tub. You can put both the dry clean towels and magazines in
the same basket.
52. Baskets with multi-tiered shelves that hang flat on the wall create
another cabinet for holding bottles and containers. Many of these come in
combinations of wire sides and fronts with sturdy rattan bottoms.
In the home office…
53. A basket with a flat back and a pocket-like opening is made to hang on
the wall. Make a habit of putting your house and car keys in it. You will
save time by never having to search high and low again when you're in a
hurry to go somewhere. (Or you can hang this basket somewhere closer to
the front door.)
54. Small hanging wall baskets with pockets also are great for keeping
handy phone message pads and pencils, or even mini phone books. Hang one
near your telephone or desk area. It can be see-through wire or tightly
woven wood splints.
In my home office, I have an 8 1/2 inch X 12 inch rectangular shaped green
wire tray basket with decoratively woven light brown strips of rattan on
its rims and two side handles. I keep this basket in a back corner of my
desk and next to my printer to hold paper that has been used on one side
but not the other. It's my paper recycling basket. When the basket gets
full, I start printing on the blank side of these papers.
55. A hanging basket on the wall or a tray shaped-basket on the desk is
perfect for holding mail, bills or paper to be filed. Even papers you
haven't decided whether or not to discard will look like they're in the
proper place.
56. Use a tiny, rectangular basket to hold and display your business
cards.
57. A tiny round basket is just the right size for holding a pile of paper
clips. Or use a cup shaped basket for pencils.
58. A small or medium sized cylindrical planter shaped basket can be a
perfect trash can in your office. Just line it with a trash bag (or even
those plastic bags that grocers give you).
59. Solid (or lined) baskets with dividers, such as a utensil caddy, can
also hold and sort pencils, pens, scissors, letter openers and rulers.
60. Hang a basket from the ceiling and fill it with live or fake vinery.
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