It seems as if no matter the
size of our homes, we always need (or want) more closet or storage
space. But in the absence of that extra room, you can always use a
basket, like I do.
A BASKET IS A BLESSING
It's the mission of the
Blessing Basket Project (blessingbasket.org) "to reduce poverty
in developing countries by paying prosperity wages for artisan
products." Those products include woven baskets, bowls, fans and
hats, among other things, from Bangladesh (made of date palm leaf and
sea grass); Ghana (made of elephant grass); Madagascar (made of
Mahampy, aka sedge); and Uganda (made of banana leaf and sisal). It
takes weavers between one and two days to weave these works of art,
which are unique and affordable.
LACK STORAGE SPACE? TRY A
DOOR
I'm amazed at how much extra
space hanging an overdoor rack creates. I found lots of ideas on
containerstore.com. Take a 5-hook rack, for instance. You can hang
bangles, scarves, necklaces, bathrobes and handbags on it. Towel racks
are good for maxi dresses, jeans, tablecloths, blankets and, of
course, towels. Place flip fops, stuffed animals, yarn, socks or
hosiery, and swimsuits in overdoor shoe bags. Other solutions include
hampers for laundry, towels, blankets, toys and items to be donated;
and a wall rack for canned goods, soda bottles, baking ingredients,
plastic wrap, aluminum foil and sandwich bags. I had a feeling that
doors could do more than just open and close. But now what do I put in
the closet — a basket?
TALES OF A BASKET CASE
All of a sudden I came to the
realization that I have one in almost every room. A basket, that is. I
have a fruit basket on the kitchen counter. Another two baskets store
my spices and condiments in the pantry. Instead of trash cans in the
bathrooms, I prefer small baskets. Tiny ones filled with potpourri
double as decor and air freshener on my bathroom counter. My bath
products in the linen closet also are in baskets. And proof of how far
I've gone with these as a storage solution is that I even shopped for
a manly basket to put a few of my husband's personal products in. He
resisted at first but ended up falling for it! They aren't all the
same size, of course, nor the same style, which is what I love most
about baskets. They are stylish, functional and can serve many
different purposes. If that makes me a basket case, then so be it. At
least I can admit it. Isn't that the first step?
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