Not Baskets, Not Bins: The Antique Laundry Find That Doubles As Storage

Using separate storage containers is a great way to stay on top of clutter at home and make it easier to find things when you need them. However, many of the plastic bins and wicker baskets available at stores can sometimes look a little too new and freshly manufactured for certain styles, including rustic home designs that rely on distressed furniture, antique items, and a more worn kind of look. As such, it is often a good idea to check out thrift stores and antique shops for aged, pre-owned containers that can be used to wrangle items while also enhancing your overall decor scheme.

One great option, for example, is an antique canvas cart. Many of these were originally designed to hold large loads of laundry or even to corral mail in a post office. Their fabric sides often show an accumulation of small rips, patches, or printed letters from over the years, really helping to emphasize their historic appeal. However, these totes aren't just nice to look at. The large size of their main canvas bodies mean that they are perfect for acting as storage bins, and many even have wheels on the bottom so they can be placed wherever you want and moved around at the drop of a hat. By storing everyday items in these carts, you can effectively hide the objects away while still keeping them readily accessible for when you need them.

Old laundry or mail carts made from canvas can be found in a variety of different places that sell pre-owned and antique objects. For example, some are available on online marketplaces like eBay. Alternatively, you could check out local thrift stores or antique malls with larger collections as they may have more space for bigger carts like these. If you plan to use the cart for practical storage as well as decoration, make sure to check that the canvas is in good enough condition to hold the type of items you intend to store inside. If you find a cart that you like but it has large rips or holes, you could always consider adding patches or sewing up the holes yourself to add to the cart's worn, repaired look.

Once you've got it in good shape, you will need to consider how to make your thrifted antique work in your home. Because the top of these carts tends to be open, consider putting the cart underneath a table or bench if you want the contents to be completely hidden. This will allow the unique canvas sides to be visible while ensuring that the interior is hidden from view. Additionally, because these carts are often so worn and aged, they will likely look best with other shabby chic decor rather than brand new or modern pieces that may cause it to stick out. Try placing the cart alongside some reclaimed furniture pieces or vintage rugs to really make your new storage solution blend in and appear like a part of the existing decor.