Wicker and straw baskets come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and are great home decorating and organizing tools. You probably have several in your pantry closet already so its time to get them out and start using them in creative ways! Heres how:

Kitchen

1. A basket with a hinged lid makes a great cover-up for your phone headset, cell phone charger, and other utilitarian, but not pretty, items.

2. Set several small rectangular baskets on the back of your range ledge to hold teabags, sticks of gum, and toothpicks.

3. Colorful fabric-lined baskets can store vitamin and prescription bottles nicely.

Living Room

1. Put the TV remote in a basket and leave it on the coffee table. Everyone will know right where it is.

2. Use a basket to store videos and CDs.

3. A flat rectangular basket can hold two stacks of magazines side by side and be slid under the coffee table if it stands on legs.

Bathroom

1. A compartmentalized basket can be put in a closet near the sink to hold toothpaste, lotions and other grooming aids.

2. Small rectangular baskets can be put in a medicine cabinet to hold razors, shaving cream, dental floss etc.

3. Turn a tall square basket upside down over your plunger and set a decorative item on top of it to hide that less-than-pretty bathroom item.

With a little ingenuity, you too can come up with more ways to creatively use baskets in your home.

c2005 Kathryn Bechen. All rights reserved worldwide.