What Are Home or Kitchen Organizing Bins & Baskets?
Organizing bins and baskets are typically open, meaning no lid or top. They are made to be able to just toss things in them or grab things out of them.
Bins are usually rectangular or square, with baskets rectangular, square, round, or shaped as bowls or balls. Organizing bins and baskets tend to be open, while storage bins and baskets will have a top or lid so you can close it and stack it.
Some bins have handles on the ends for easy pulling, lifting, and carrying. Some bins even have little tiny wheels on the bottom. This is helpful in pulling the bin if your contents are a little heavier. For instance I have some of my heavier beverage glasses in a white plastic bin. These bins slide easily on the shelf, but wheels would make this easier with the weight of the glasses.
Bins are made of a variety of materials, each better suited for different needs:
Plastic, woven plastic, wood, metal, wire, cardboard, and cloth.
While the terms are used interchangeably: bin and basket, baskets are actually made of woven natural material like wicker, rattan, hyacinth, or seagrass. Baskets can also be made of woven , braided, or layered rope.
We will go into the best uses of bins and baskets made of different materials further below.
How Are Home or Kitchen Organizing Bins & Baskets Used?
They are used similarly to trays to group things, but they are best for things needing higher sides so they don’t fall out. You can stack things in a bin and if they fall over, no worries.
You toss things in a bin, folded or unfolded like towels, tablecloths, aprons, pot holders. You can store hard and small things like cookie cutters, kitchen gadgets, etc. There are sizes suitable for organizing and storing everything, even large pots, bowls, and electric appliances and cookware.
When you are planning your bins and baskets, take everything out and put the bins in first. You want to match the bins to the area you need to organize, not to the contents. Bins first, then sort the contents into bins. Do not over-crowd your space or containers. If you cannot fit everything in (with a little breathing room) you need an overflow cabinet or you need to declutter.
As an example I have an overflow pantry in the basement which is also well organized, and I stock extra grocery items there -canned goods & dry goods. I also keep extra containers and serveware there.
Where to Locate Bins & Baskets
Place bins and baskets on open shelves or shelves in cupboards, cabinets, pantries, and storage closets. Place them in the bottom of storage units as well. If they are stackable, you can use leftover vertical space by stacking on the shelf. Place them flush to one another on a shelf to maximize space. If you have extra room, space them out with small decor between like small vases or figurines to add charm.
Advantages of Bins & Baskets
Bins and Open Baskets are easy and help even people who don’t like to put things away, keep things organized and neat. This is because you can easily toss something back into a bin with one hand and done. You can also easily grab something from a bin when you need it.
If you do not need to access the contents of the bin regularly, and don’t mind the extra effort, you can get bins with lids so you can stack them. Helps use vertical space.
Large Bins and Baskets can hold large and heavier things like crockery and appliances too. This is helpful because you can pull the bin out of a deep cabinet, a lower base cabinet, or a hard to reach upper cabinet, put it on a counter or table and take out your cookware or appliance, then put the bin back. If you have ever had to get a step stool, dig a big pot or appliance out of a cabinet to take it down, you will realize how much easier pulling the bin is.
Disadvantages of Bins & Baskets
I think the biggest factor here is what kind, as in what material the bins and baskets are made of. There are so many. You want materials that work for the space and the contents.
There is plastic, woven plastic, clear plastic, wicker, rattan, or seagrass,, rope, cloth, mesh, wire, iron wire, wood. There is more to the decision than personal preference. Then there is function- size, depth, height, cover or open, wheels or not, stackable or not.
If you choose the wrong bin or basket for the area or contents, you will not get the best result.
How to Choose the Right Bins or Baskets?
It's all about the material. You can choose baskets that are the right size for your needs, but if the material is wrong …
I will go over the different types of bins & baskets and how to use them best.
Choosing a style and material that gives your kitchen or dining room the feel you want seems second nature. Nevertheless, I will touch on the design style each one is best suited to. Read on …
Types of Bins & Baskets
Plastic: Smooth or Woven
Plastic bins come in a smooth finish or a woven look finish. These bins are easy to find, have the lowest price point, and the come in a big variety of sizes and colors. You can always find something to fit your needs here.
Plastic bins have the added advantage of being easy to clean. Just wipe out or wash with soap and water. Because of this I recommend plastic for wet spaces like kitchens and bathrooms or for ingredients that may spill or soil the bins.
They are also light weight, yet sturdy and solid so they can hold a bit of weight and are easy to pull out and put back.
These are good for use in pantries, cupboards, closets and drawers. The look works well for hidden storage and hidden organizing styles. Because they are opaque, they hide contents, which gives your plastic bin organized space a neat, clean look with zero clutter.
Clear Plastic or Acrylic
Clear bins are best for visual organizing styles - people who want to be able to see the contents. You should still label them - it’s a brain thing - you can just recognize contents faster with a label and recognize where to return things.
Clear bins are made of plastic or for a little more money, acrylic. They are hard and strong and last a long time. These are great for visual organizers storing lots of small items like piping tips, cookie cutters or medium things like piping bags, mini springform pans, and dessert rings. Use in baking cabinets and pantries. You can use on open shelves if you are a visual organizer who likes all of your tools and utensils out in the open where you can see them.
Wood
Natural Wood
Wood organizing bins give a more warm, cozy feel to a kitchen. They come in solid wood with handles, or rattan or cane inset into a wood frame. There are a bit larger slatted wood crates. They often have warm tones, but also come in grey and black stained or painted black or white.
Because of the cozy visual appeal these look fine on open shelves as well as in storage closets or a walk in Butler’s pantry with large shelves because they tend to be about shoebox size.
Painted Wood
The painted wood bins are more casual and airy look if used in a light kitchen, or black bins compliment as sleek, moody, chic look.
They are usually a bit larger and because they are larger and heavier, they are well suited to storing things with some weight like ceramic ramekins, cooks, and small ceramic or cast iron cookware. You can also store lighter things like table linens in wood.
Metal
Metal comes in three types and they each have a different look and feel. There is solid metal, metal wire, or metal mesh. Any of these could be silver, gold, black, or galvanized. Heavy duty iron wire baskets are available and metal mesh comes in a variety of colors.
Solid Metal Bins
Solid metal bins handle heavy items well and hides the items, so good for hidden organizers. Solid metal has that cold, hard, industrial feel, but it works for a kitchen, especially if you are going for that sleek, minimalist, masculine, industrial vibe. Coordinate with metal canisters, trays, and turntables.
Wire Baskets
Metal wire baskets usually have cloth liners. This keeps contents from slipping through. Bottles do not sit well on metal, so if you want to store these, drop in either a wood or plastic board on the bottom, or a plastic bin to make it smooth. A bin will also prevent the contents from soiling your liner, should they leak.
They work well for pantry, baking tools and supplies, towels, pot holders, trivets (hard or soft) and other linens.
Heavy duty Wire pullouts are pull-outs are functional solutions for deeper shelves, cabinets, and under sinks.
Black Iron Wire
Heavy duty iron baskets with liners are good for storing heavier cookware and appliances. They have an industrial look that is softened by the lining - very attractive and durable.
Gold & Silver Wire
Gold and silver wire baskets with liners work well in pantry, cupboards, or on open shelves. They hide contents beautifully with a charming, feminine, upscale look that graces any kitchen or dining room.
Chicken Wire
Chicken wire baskets with liners are good for pantry, cabinets, storage closets or open shelves. Chicken wire is lighter than other metal used in baskets. This option is perfect for farmhouse decor. There are also larger crates made of chicken wire in wood frames for larger items. You will want to add a bottom and a liner to these and use them for larger pots and appliances in a storage room or closet on large shelves.
Wire Mesh
Wire mesh baskets partially obscure the contents, but enough that they work fine for hidden organizers who do not want to see contents. Use them for pantry, cupboards, cabinets, and open shelving. The look is clean, minimalist, and modern.
They come in a variety of colors. Coordinate with wire mesh trays, turntables, sorters, and mesh pull outs.
Cardboard
Cloth covered cardboard is common for cube storage bins. Use these in a 12” cube organizer or shelf. Because they are typically 12” tall, pay attention to whether you want to be able to just toss things inside or if you want the cube to fill the cubby hole so you must pull it out to use it.
There are also decorative paper covered bins or boxes. These provide a variety of design options so they are worth mentioning. I would use them only where you are sure they won’t get wet. They are typically a shoe box or larger size, so not pantry size. You could cover your own boxes if you have cardboard boxes the right size and choose your own paper for decor.
Natural Woven Materials
Natural materials like wicker, hyacinth, rattan, and seagrass give an earthy, natural feel to a space. Warm and cozy, they go well with rustic, country, Asian, or casual design. While pricier than plastic they have a timeless, popular aesthetic. They are durable, sturdy, versatile, and long lasting. These baskets make a lovely display on an open shelf or in a pantry or cabinet. They visually add texture to any room.
Rope
Rope bins or baskets come in a variety of color, often alternating two toned. They come in a variety of sizes often with handles. Shapes may be rectangle, square, oval, and round, deep and shallow. They are attractive on open shelves, and you can use them in a storage cabinet but they are best used with linens, and they type of contents that won’t soil them.
The rope basket give a place a cozy, casual, homey look that is inviting. They go well with a coastal or casual chic decor.
Knitted, Crochet, or Macrame Bins and Baskets
Though not often seen in kitchens, these still work for linens, ramekins, cookie cutters, baking decorations, and more. Put them in your baking pantry or with kitchen linens in a storage cabinet. They can be charming on an open shelf or countertop to hold breads, or to serve breads on the dinner table. These give a bohemian feel to any room.
How to Make Bins & Basket Work for Your Organization and Decor (H2)
Bins and baskets are essential tools for organizing every room of your home. When considering which to buy consider sizes you would need, function- what you will store and where you need to store it -will it hold the weight easily? Will the contents destroy, damage or ruin the bin? Does it hide or show the contents? Does it make a nice display or something more better hidden in cabinets? Finally, how does it fit with your design scheme? Does it coordinate, tie it together, or stand out as not belonging?
Once you have found what you need, always buy extras! Everyone should have plastic bins. These are so versatile and they are always needed even if not for a permanent placement. You will use them to assist with tasks, cleaning, moving things around, fixing things, and so many things you cannot yet think of.