Not A Ladder, Not Shelves: The Blanket Storage Solution You Can Find At The Thrift Store

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Blankets are a common household item because they bring the cozy vibes as much as practical warmth. It seems like you can never buy enough of them, and that means they often end up in messy piles in almost every room of your home. To solve this problem, you need to get creative with blanket storage, whether that's draping them over a slender ladder that you lean against a blank living room wall or folding them neatly on a shelf in your master bedroom. There's another highly portable blanket storage solution you may be overlooking, though — enter rustic, spacious wicker hampers. Not only are they a great spot to stow spare blankets, but they are also often found at thrift stores for pennies. Wicker hampers are a practical, budget-friendly method to keep your house organized. 

What makes these affordable decor items so good for blanket storage? They're both functional and stylish. A wicker hamper is casual yet still aesthetically pleasing enough to fit with any existing interior design style without visually overwhelming the space. Wicker adds eye-catching texture to any room. Practically, the woven natural fibers are sturdy (especially when the basket is new) and breathable, ensuring your blankets don't get that musty odor that is common in stored linens. Put simply, you can use this low-budget decor idea to spruce up your home while corralling those exasperatingly messy piles of blankets in one easy-to-access place.

Wicker hampers are the vintage thrift store item that makes the most adorable home decor while also serving a purpose. What kind of basket is best for storing blankets? While size is important, you also need to consider which room the hamper will be used in. Bedrooms usually have a lot of chunky blankets, so grab the largest, deepest wicker hamper your local thrift store has. In the living room or a guest room, thin throws are more commonplace, so you can get away with a smaller, shallower hamper. A little wear and tear is fine — it gives your item some charm — but avoid baskets with mold stains, broken weaving, or loss of shape. You can expect a natural fiber wicker hamper to last five years or more if it's in good condition; a synthetic hamper might last even longer.

These wicker hampers are a convenient addition to your home for blanket storage, but you need to spend a little time making them fit for purpose. To avoid woollen blankets snagging when you pull them out and to protect the wicker itself, line the inside and rim of the hamper with fabric. A two-pack of Hemoton Decorative Oval Cloth Inserts with pretty lace accents costs just $13. When placing your blankets inside the basket, roll each one up tightly and stand them vertically. That way, you can easily identify each one. No more digging through a disorganized pile to find your favorite. If you want, you can drape your most colorful or aesthetic blanket over the side of the hamper for that lived-in look.