Types of Baskets
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Choices, choices, and more choices.
Tall, short, wide, narrow, sturdy, flimsy, lightweight, taut, flexible,
rustic, countrified … You name the adjective or characteristic and there
is a basket that fits the description. With all these choices, how do you
choose a basket? This section discusses five things to consider when
choosing your next basket.
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Determine function.
One way is by function, or intended usage of the basket. For example, if
you're sending your child on an Easter egg hunt, you know for certain she
needs a basket with a top handle. Why? Because it's easier to carry such a
basket with one hand (while walking and scooping up eggs with the other
hand). Of course, you'd want a lightweight basket too and it would need
sides at least two inches high.
So if the function of your basket is related to carrying items and
mobility (e.g. cleaning supplies), get a basket with a top handle. You can
get a swinging handle or a fixed handle. But also get a sturdy basket if
you're filling it with somewhat weighty items. And get one that's of
reasonable size for toting around.
If you have weighty items, such as a bunch of heavy fireplace logs that
you want to store in a basket, a handle is allowable as long as it's not
in the way or is a swinging handle that pushes aside, but it's not
necessary. It's not likely you'll be toting that basket around often. But
again, you'd want something with sturdy high sides to contain the logs so
they don't roll away. And you'd want a sturdy bottom so that if you did
want to move the basket a foot to vacuum beneath it, you could do so
without the bottom falling out, literally.
If you're trying to collect and carry berries in your basket, you'd want a
tight weave. With large gaps, small items might fall through the basket
bottom or sides.
If you're trying to conceal items such as a big pile of junk in the family
room prior to a guest's visit or a pile of dirty laundry, you'd buy a
basket with a lid. And perhaps you'd want a large basket such as a hamper,
trunk or magazine basket. And if you want the basket to do double duty as
an end table, you'd want its lid to be flat and solid.
But if you want to display items in plain sight but contain them, you'd
want a wire basket. Why? Because you can see between the spaced out wires
(some are spaced out further than others) yet they're quite sturdy for
holding several items at once.
So the rule of thumb is for the basket to fit its function in size, weight
and durability. You'll get more ideas about choosing baskets when you read
about other functional uses of baskets throughout this website.
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