No Shelves, No Baskets: A Creative Way To Store Blankets On Wheels

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Neatly storing blankets at home can be challenging. It's one of those common household items that you think you could just stuff into a closet, trunk, or bin. However, the reality is that they're bulky and often get tangled with one another or other linens, particularly if you have an overabundant collection. If stuffing them into baskets or under-the-bed containers is making your storage problems worse, the solution is sitting on the shelves of your local big-box retailer. Why not tuck them into a utility cart? These compact shelving units on wheels make it much easier to neatly organize your cumbersome blanket stash.

A utility cart, sometimes called a rolling cart, is a flexible piece of home furniture. They typically feature two or more basket-style shelves or shelves with sides. Instead of legs, they have casters, so you can move the cart around a room easily. Sometimes, the wheels lock to stop the cart from rolling away from its temporary location. Most are slimline in design and made of metal or sometimes durable plastic. Most of the time, they're used in kitchens for coffee stations or utensil storage. You might also find them in creative spaces, like craft rooms or children's playrooms, to store art supplies. Heavy-duty, oversized carts hold tools in garages. Given this versatility, it's easy to see how a simple utility cart can completely change how you manage blanket clutter.

There are many reasons why this storage trick you should be using for your blankets is a lifesaver. Built-in storage isn't always in a convenient spot, especially in older or historic homes. Woven baskets, while trendy, can't be moved unless you pick them up. The open shelving helps you find the blanket you want quickly, without having to dig through a mountain of linens. You could even categorize each shelf based on blanket type: throws on the top shelf, lightweight quilts in the middle, and heavy comforters on the bottom. Plus, they're a relatively affordable piece of storage furniture. IKEA's simple, enduringly popular RÅSKOG Utility Cart costs just $39.99 and comes in four colors. For something a bit fancier, consider this Best Choice Products Three-Tier Water Hyacinth Rolling Caddy for about $65.

Let's say you purchased a utility cart for blanket storage but you're unsure how to style it in your home. First, you need to master some folding techniques. You can fold or roll your blankets, depending on what kind you're storing, how many you have, and how big your cart is. Roll bulky blankets as tightly as you can so they take up as little room as possible in the cart. You can simply fold thinner blankets into rectangles the size of the shelves, and then stack them on top of each other in a neat pile. Once you've filled your cart with blankets, roll it into place next to your sofa or bed. If you have the option, lock the casters so the cart doesn't roll away. If you only buy cozy throw blankets that look good in every room in your home, you can even make the cart a feature.