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CREATIVE WAYS TO DISPLAY DECORATIVE BASKETS
Wall art, planters, storage, and sculptural accents—one material, endless applications
A handwoven basket beside a sofa holds throws while adding organic texture to the room. Grouped on a wall, baskets become art with dimensions that flat pieces cannot achieve.
What makes baskets particularly effective in decorating is their ability to soften a space. In rooms dominated by hard surfaces and straight lines, a woven piece introduces curves, natural materials, and visual warmth. The weave catches light differently throughout the day. The fibers carry subtle variations that manufactured objects rarely possess.
QUICK STYLING IDEAS
- Create a basket wall with mixed sizes (odd numbers look most natural)
- Use baskets as plant sleeves, keeping plants in nursery pots for drainage
- Anchor seating areas with a tall floor basket for throws
- Corral daily clutter with one shallow tray basket on a console
- Display a sculptural basket empty to highlight the weave
WHY BASKETS RESONATE NOW
The renewed interest in baskets reflects broader shifts in how people want to live. Design media increasingly emphasize collected, personal interiors over mass-produced uniformity. Each handwoven piece carries the specific marks of its maker, something algorithm-driven shopping cannot replicate.
Global craft traditions are also finding wider appreciation. Pinterest and design forecasters note growing interest in African and artisan-influenced decor, where natural fiber textures and handwoven forms fit naturally. Meanwhile, the move toward warm minimalism favors tactile surfaces over sterile finishes. A basket offers both visual simplicity and material richness you can feel.
HOW DO YOU ARRANGE BASKETS ON A WALL?
Wall-mounted baskets add dimension that flat artwork cannot. They create shadow and depth as light moves across the weave throughout the day.
Start with an odd number. Three, five, or seven baskets look more natural than even groupings. The asymmetry creates visual interest without feeling accidental.
Mix shapes and sizes. Combine round baskets with oval or fan-shaped pieces. Vary the diameters so the eye moves across the arrangement rather than resting on uniformity.
Consider depth. Some baskets sit nearly flat against the wall, while others project several inches outward. This variation creates a shadow that changes as the day progresses.
Find a unifying element. Even eclectic collections need something tying them together—a shared color palette, similar weave patterns, or baskets from the same region. Our Malawi Sun Wall Baskets, woven from palm fibers, pair well with Buhera Baskets from Zimbabwe. Both feature natural tones and traditional weaving techniques, creating cohesion despite their different forms.
Hanging method: For lightweight baskets, small finishing nails pushed gently through the weave work well. Heavier pieces may need picture hooks. Before committing to holes, lay your arrangement on the floor and photograph it from above to visualize spacing.
HOW DO YOU USE BASKETS AS PLANTERS WITHOUT DAMAGE?
The woven texture of baskets complements foliage in ways that plastic or even ceramic pots sometimes cannot. The key is keeping moisture away from the fibers.
KEEP PLANTS IN NURSERY POTS
The basket acts as a decorative sleeve while the plastic pot handles drainage. This makes swapping plants easy and protects the basket from water damage. Choose a basket at least two inches wider than the pot on all sides so the plastic doesn't show above the rim.
TRAILING PLANTS IN BASKETS
Trailing plants like pothos look striking in baskets set on shelves or plant stands, where foliage can cascade over the rim. The Iringa Baskets from Tanzania, handmade from milulu grass, provide height while their natural tones complement green leaves.
UPRIGHT PLANTS IN BASKETS
Upright plants with sculptural leaves pair well with baskets that have visual weight. A larger Buhera Basket, originally used to store grain, has the presence to anchor a fiddle leaf fig or snake plant.
For more on pairing plants with vessels, see our guide to the best plants for terracotta pots.
STYLING BASKETS AROUND THE HOUSE
LIVING ROOM
A large basket beside the sofa holds throws without draping them over every surface. The Senegalese Storage Baskets, handwoven from local grasses, come in tall and low sizes. The tall version works as a blanket holder or hamper. The low version serves as a log basket beside a fireplace.
For smaller items, a basket on the coffee table keeps remotes and chargers within reach without the visual noise of scattered objects.
ENTRYWAY
The entry accumulates items quickly: mail, keys, sunglasses, and leashes. A basket on a console creates a designated landing spot that looks intentional rather than cluttered. For mudrooms, a row of matching baskets on a shelf provides organized storage that guests see as decor.
KITCHEN
Baskets work for items that benefit from ventilation: onions, garlic, potatoes, and citrus. The Guatemalan Woven Baskets, crafted from sustainable vines, were designed for exactly this. Their open weave allows airflow while their form earns a place on the counter.
BATHROOM + BEDROOM
Roll towels in a basket on open shelving. Keep extra blankets in a basket at the foot of the bed. In both rooms, the woven texture softens what might otherwise feel utilitarian.
BASKETS AS SCULPTURAL OBJECTS
Some baskets are worth displaying empty, appreciated purely for form and craftsmanship. A single basket on a shelf among books adds organic texture to an otherwise rectilinear arrangement. The contrast between woven curves and straight spines creates visual interest. Three small baskets of varying heights can anchor one end of a bookshelf without overwhelming it.
Large baskets can stand alone on the floor, particularly in corners. A piece like the Tonga Garlic Basket, woven from ilala palm in Zimbabwe, has an organic, gourd-inspired form that works as a sculpture. The irregular shape catches light and shadow differently than any manufactured object could. On dining tables or consoles, baskets make natural centerpieces. Fill them with seasonal items or leave them empty to highlight the weave itself.
HOW DO YOU CARE FOR WOVEN BASKETS?
Natural fiber baskets last for years with minimal attention.
Dust regularly. A soft brush attachment on a vacuum removes dust from woven surfaces without damaging fibers. For deeper cleaning, wipe with a barely damp cloth and let dry completely.
Keep dry. Most baskets aren't meant for wet environments. If a basket gets damp, let it dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area before returning it to display.
Avoid prolonged sun. Direct sunlight fades natural fibers and makes them brittle over time. Rotate baskets near windows periodically.
Handle from the base. Natural fibers can snag on rough surfaces or jewelry. Lifting from the bottom rather than the rim extends the life of the weave.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT BASKET
Scale matters. A small basket disappears in a large room. A massive basket overwhelms a small space. Match the piece to the wall or surface where it will live.
Material sets the tone. Pale seagrass reads casual. Dark-stained palm feels more formal. The warm browns of ilala palm and milulu grass add warmth to nearly any palette.
Weave pattern creates texture. Tight, uniform weaves look polished. Open, irregular weaves feel more relaxed. Neither is better—choose based on the atmosphere you want.
Origin adds meaning. The baskets in our collection come from communities in Senegal, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Guatemala, and Malawi. Each represents a specific weaving tradition passed through generations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Odd numbers work best—three, five, or seven. Start with the largest basket slightly off-center, then arrange smaller pieces around it. Lay the arrangement on the floor first and photograph from above before making any holes.
Most natural fiber baskets are meant for indoor use or for covered outdoor spaces. Rain and direct sun break down fibers over time. For covered porches, they work well, but they should come inside during storms.
Choose a basket at least two inches wider than the nursery pot on all sides. The rim should sit at or slightly below the pot's rim so plastic doesn't show.
Yes. The organic texture actually complements modern design by contrasting with clean lines and smooth surfaces. In minimalist spaces, a single sculptural basket can serve as a focal point.