Types of Baskets

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?

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.

Consider appearance.
And, of course, if the basket is for decorative purposes only, you'd consider size (if you have a limited space for it) but probably wouldn't worry so much about durability. Why? If it's hanging on a wall where people see it but rarely touch it, likely the basket will last a very long time.

And while weight should be considered, it's more likely just a deciding factor in what type of hardware you'll use to attach the basket to the wall or ceiling. If people can hang heavy pots from the ceiling, surely a weighty basket can hang there too. And lightweight baskets will stick to the wall with just a tack or single nail holding them.

Also, for decorative purposes, you might be more interested in things like the pattern or color of the basket. Colors and textural effects abound from pastel washes to deep hues or glazes. Does the basket color match your wall paper? Or does its pattern fit with your decorating scheme?

And if you're planning to decorate or adorn the basket, then you'd want to consider the material or weave. For instance, you can't loop ribbon through a solid wood basket or galvanized bucket. You'd need a basket with a loose weave that you could push the ribbon, or even fabric, through. And you can't tie a pretty bow on the top handle of a basket that doesn't have one. Want to paint your baskets a special color? Pick plain ones that aren't already dyed multiple colors (though you can still paint a colored one). Planning to stencil on it? Choose a basket with a flat front or side for ease in doing this garnishment. And choose one with an appropriate color so that your work will be visible.

Don't forget quality.
Any overlapping splices in the weaving should be on the interior side. Look for handles that are fastened securely, such as ones that are lashed on or woven in. Check the basket for sagging, lopsidedness or wobbling.

If it's painted or dyed, is the color sharp and even on all sides? Or does it look faded and dull? Check patterns for consistency and symmetry (unless it's supposed to be one-of-a-kind and asymmetric). Make sure there are no holes or tears in the weave.

If it's a used basket that you really want, are the man-made flaws minor? If so, maybe you can discreetly mend them. Or you may want to consult with a professional for repairs. Then again, you might leave the basket as is if it's an antique so as not to devalue it further. Maybe the flaws add a rustic or antique flavor anyway. If not, maybe you can hide them by facing the basket with its best side forward.

Consider price.
I love baskets because they're beautiful and cheap. But some aren't so cheap. Some sellers are asking more than a $100 for a basket. Yikes! I'll stick to prices under a $100, even for my collectables (the baskets I don't plan to decorate or change one bit). You should stick to whatever your budget allows.

That's the other beauty of baskets; you don't have to spend big bucks for a beautiful, even large, collection. I'm not knocking the collectors who do spend big bucks per basket (and I have seen a few pricey baskets with Indian or African origin that I'd love to own). But if you're a basket lover with a modest budget seeking decoration and function more so than a wall of basket exhibits solely for viewing pleasure, then you shouldn't overspend. However, if you love one-of-a-kind artwork collectibles then by all means pay top dollar to some of the great basket artisans to get those pieces. It's all about why you want baskets...to organize with, to decorate with, to decorate, to view their beauty, as conversational pieces and works of art in your home...whatever your desire.

Don't forget flair.

These days you don't have to settle for an ordinary common shaped basket (unless that's what you want). Baskets come shaped as footballs, dog bones and cookie jars. And they're shaped as sleighs, wagons and bicycles.

I have a roomy rattan basket shaped as a heart (with a top handle). And in my dining room I have a red hot pepper and an apple. I once saw a colorful rope weave set designed as a fork and spoon. But alas, the fork and spoon got away from me and another basket lover grabbed it first. It would have looked good on my dining room wall.

Oval fireside and flower baskets are also fanciful since they have sort of an angled shape. Think flat bottom, two open ends and two slightly raised sides that are deeper in the middle and shallower on the ends with a fixed top handle. So on this basket you could lay a bunch of flower clippings from the garden on their side with the blooms facing outward. Or simply lay a spare log for use in the fireplace later. (Of course, don't keep your flammable basket too close to the actual fireplace.)

And there are also pedestal baskets. For instance, a pedestal basket might look like a round tray setting on an attached cylindrical shaped vertical pedestal (think upside down top hat with a wide flared brim). And some baskets have attached wicker feet that elevate them.

If you're into wire baskets, these often come in ordinary and novelty shapes such as that of water pitchers, tea pots or apples.

And vines are neat too. I recently saw a "pumpkin" basket made from vines.