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10 best storage boxes and baskets

Declutter your living space with a stylish, practical solution

Thursday 17 March 2016 18:38 GMT

A John Lewis felt container avoids being an eyesore

It’s time to renew your home for the coming season: swapping your bedding for something more lightweight, storing your winter knits and coats, and giving your living space that all-important spring clean. As well as being good for the home, Marie Kondo’s bestselling 2011 book, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying, put the therapeutic benefit of ordering our belongings back on people’s agendas.

A variety of storage boxes, trunks and baskets help you get organised with ease. Look for something lidded and watertight for items you want to store for long periods, keeping damp, moths and dust at bay. Use something more stylish and accessible for toys, magazines, hobby items and the things you need to keep at hand every day.

John Lewis grey felt storage basket: £20, John Lewis

Felt makes a great storage material as it’s relatively lightweight yet strong. Thicker felts hold their shape better than the type used on this basket from John Lewis, but it’s good for adding a softer texture to a room than seagrass, wicker or rope. The ash handles feel good to touch, and the tapering top is more protective of the contents than completely open baskets.

H&M Seagrass: £18, H&M

Frustratingly few H&M stores stock its excellent homeware but you can find its products online. This 100 per cent seagrass basket is beautifully flecked with yellow, is lightweight, and has two handles for easy carrying. It’s collapsible, but the natural material takes a while to regain its shape after being flattened. This basket isn’t suited to carrying anything excessively heavy.

Jericho set of three cotton storage trunks: £50, Habitat

This small, medium and large set of soft storage cases is lined in stylish bright orange cotton. Strong handles, lids for keeping things dust-free, and double zips for accessibility – these are best for textiles, and are particularly good for making use of space on top of the wardrobe. There’s a matching laundry basket and under-bed storage case.

Am. Pm. Arreglo stackable metal storage box: £55, La Redoute

These look great stacked together in different colours but at £55 each they aren’t cheap. Being metal (either galvanised or coated with matte effect epoxy paint), they are a good choice for items that need hard protection – sharp tools, plant seeds, or paints and brushes. They have hinged lids and cutout handles, but are not watertight. They only come in one size.

Clas Ohlson 17l storage basket: £5, Clas Ohlson

This budget-friendly basket is made of durable polypropylene with a perforated surface that keeps it lightweight. Two integral handles make it easy to carry, if not the most comfortable. With an open top, it’s best for things you need to access regularly rather than put a way long term. There’s a shallower 11-litre version too, and both come in white, grey or pink.

Very set of two-handled cotton rope baskets: £35, Very

Made of cotton rope coils with contrasting stitching, these two baskets from Very are brilliantly strong. Neutral looks mean they can fit seamlessly into any room of the house. The faux leather handles are nicely detailed and help make carrying them light work. One is slightly smaller than the other, allowing them to nest when out of use.

Ikea Kvistbro storage table: £40, Ikea

If you struggle to find space for storage, this multi-purpose piece could make itself extra handy. The lid lifts off, giving access to a roomy compartment for blankets, newspapers, logs or yarn. At 61cm in diameter, it’s sized to make itself useful as a coffee or bedside table. With wide gaps in the wire, be aware that whatever you store in this one is on show.

Muji PP large carry box with lock: £17.95, Muji

It may sound obvious but clear or translucent boxes let you see what’s inside, avoiding having to root around for what you need. They make the most sense for long-term storage. Muji’s box is made of strong polypropylene (cheaper alternatives exist but are more likely to crack). The lid also locks on, avoiding spills and damage to items. It stacks easily with other sizes in the range.

Dunelm Regeneration wire basket: £8, Dunelm

If your bathroom products are out of control, this handy basket can help. Wire is the traditional option for wet areas but this basket is also useful for organising stationery or even condiments. It’s well-priced, comes in two sizes, and has rounded wooden handles that are comfortable to grip. It comes in a smart grey finish.

Made Daven set of two metal trunks: £79, Made

Travel trunks were commonplace in the late 18th and 19th centuries, relied upon to safely transport belongings on long trips at sea. Nowadays you’re likely to see vintage steamers revived as coffee tables, but there are modern takes on the idea too. Made’s are thin but strong metal with a glossy finish, have a good capacity, and come in sets of contrasting colours.

The Verdict

John Lewis’s mid-sized felt basket has a neutral design that makes itself useful in a variety of situations. It’s soft, lightweight and easy to carry, yet strong enough to carry heavier items like books and magazines.