The best shelving units with storage baskets have compartments sized to fit the baskets snugly, a sturdy frame that will not wobble as baskets are pulled in and out, and a balance of open shelves and basket storage so the unit can display as well as hide. Units with cube style compartments around 30cm to 35cm square work especially well, as they suit the most widely available basket sizes and look neat when filled.
Baskets transform a shelving unit. They gather small, untidy items into soft, attractive containers and turn an open bookcase into practical everyday storage. If you are browsing our modern shelving units UK collection, or looking across our modern living room furniture UK range for something to pair with it, the points below will help you choose a design that makes the most of baskets.
Open shelving is lovely for books and display, but it shows everything. Remote controls, chargers, children’s toys, post, hats and gloves quickly make shelves look messy. Baskets solve this without needing doors or drawers. They are lighter than drawers, easier to carry from room to room and simple to replace if your style changes. Paired with closed pieces from our modern storage furniture UK sale range, they give a room a sensible balance of open and hidden storage.
Baskets also add texture, which is valuable in modern interiors where hard surfaces such as wood, metal and glass dominate. Seagrass, rattan, water hyacinth, felt and fabric all soften a room and bring a relaxed, lived in quality.
Cube units are the most natural partner for baskets. Each compartment frames a single basket, creating an ordered grid. You can fill every cube for maximum hidden storage, or alternate baskets with open cubes for a lighter look.
Ladder shelving and open frame designs can hold baskets on their wider lower shelves. Because these units are visible from the sides, choose baskets with a neat finish on every face.
Traditional bookcases with adjustable shelves can be adapted for baskets by setting the shelf spacing to suit. A row of baskets along the bottom shelf with books above is a classic, practical arrangement.
Some shelving units come with matching baskets or fabric drawers included. These guarantee a good fit and a coordinated look, which takes the guesswork out of measuring.
The most common frustration with basket storage is a poor fit. Baskets that are too small look lost and slide around. Baskets that are too large will not fit at all, or will scrape against the frame each time you pull them out.
Natural woven baskets in seagrass, rattan or water hyacinth bring warmth and suit Scandinavian, Japandi and coastal styles. They are fairly robust but can shed slightly over time and should be kept dry.
Fabric and felt baskets are soft, light and often collapsible, which makes them practical for children’s rooms. They come in many colours, so they can introduce accent shades into a room.
Wire and metal baskets feel more industrial and let you see the contents, which is useful in kitchens and utility areas. Wooden crates or boxes give a sturdier, furniture like finish and can support heavier items.
In a living room, baskets keep remote controls, games, magazines and throws tidy while books and decorative pieces sit on open shelves above. A low unit with baskets along the bottom row can sit beneath a window or beside the sofa.
A slim unit with baskets near the front door gives each family member a place for hats, gloves, scarves and dog leads. Labelled baskets make it easier for everyone to put things back.
Baskets on low shelves let children reach and tidy their own toys, which encourages independence. Fabric baskets are safest, with no hard edges, and they are light enough for small hands. Our children’s storage furniture UK range includes low units designed with this in mind, and our guide to the best children’s bedroom storage furniture for UK family homes offers more ideas for keeping playthings organised.
Baskets on open shelving can hold towels, toiletries and cleaning supplies. In these rooms, choose materials that cope with humidity, such as plastic, coated wire or tightly woven synthetic rattan, and make sure the room is well ventilated.
In bedrooms, baskets can hold folded jumpers, accessories and spare bedding. A basket shelving unit can even replace a small chest of drawers in a compact room.
Consistency is what makes basket storage look intentional. Using the same basket style throughout a unit creates calm. If you prefer variety, limit yourself to two coordinating styles, perhaps a natural weave and a plain fabric in a complementary colour.
Placement matters too. Baskets look best on the lower shelves, where they ground the unit visually and hold heavier or everyday items at a convenient height. Upper shelves can then carry books, plants and display pieces. This pattern also keeps the centre of gravity low, which helps stability.
Avoid overfilling baskets so heavily that they bulge or become hard to lift. A basket should slide out smoothly and be easy to carry when full.
Not every shelf needs the same basket. A unit with adjustable shelves gives you the freedom to use deeper, taller baskets at the bottom for bulky items such as throws, cushions or toys, and shallower trays higher up for keys, post or craft supplies. The trick is to keep the material or colour consistent so the variation in size looks planned.
Lidded baskets are worth considering on shelves at or below knee height, where dust tends to settle and contents can look untidy from above. Open baskets work better at eye level and above, where you want to see and grab things quickly. In a living room, a pair of large lidded baskets on the bottom shelf can also serve as an informal place to rest a cup or a book.
If your unit has fixed shelves, measure the shortest gap first. It is easier to find a single basket style that fits every compartment than to discover later that one shelf will only take something smaller.
Baskets only stay tidy if everyone in the household knows what belongs where. Give each basket one clear purpose rather than letting it become a general catch all. Simple tags tied to the handle, or small labels on the front of the shelf, help children and visitors put things back without asking.
It also helps to empty and sort baskets every few weeks. Small items have a way of accumulating, and a quick sort keeps the contents useful. Seasonal swaps work well: in winter, a hallway basket might hold hats and gloves, while in summer it can switch to sun cream and sunglasses. This keeps the shelving relevant all year and stops forgotten items from taking up valuable space.
Basket shelving works well alongside closed storage. A sideboard or cabinet can hold items you rarely need, while baskets on open shelving handle everyday clutter. Keeping the two in matching or complementary finishes helps them read as a single storage plan rather than separate pieces.
Dust natural baskets with a soft brush or the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Wipe fabric baskets with a damp cloth, or check if the liner is removable and washable. Keep woven baskets away from radiators and direct sunlight, which can dry and fade them.
For the shelving itself, check that it is level and secure, especially if baskets are pulled in and out daily. Tall units should always be fixed to the wall with the anti tip fittings supplied.
A shelving unit with storage baskets offers the best of both open and closed storage. Choose a sturdy unit with compartments that suit standard basket sizes, select materials that suit the room, and place baskets low with display above. At Furniture in Fashion, we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Most cube compartments are around 30cm to 35cm square. Choose baskets 1cm to 2cm smaller on each side so they slide in and out easily.
Natural woven materials such as seagrass and rattan bring warmth and texture, while fabric baskets offer more colour choice.
Lower shelves are usually best. Baskets ground the unit visually, keep everyday items within reach and help with stability.
Yes. Low units with soft fabric baskets let children reach and tidy their own toys safely.
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