Baskets Everyone Owned In The 2000s — Now It's Worth Hunting For At The Thrift Store

You don't have to be an interiors expert to know that once-popular home decor items can be forgotten the moment new styles emerge. However, once in a while, a seemingly ordinary household item can make an unexpected comeback. Such is the case for the Longaberger stair basket, a woven wicker basket that was a common sight in American homes along with other Longaberger baskets between the '90s and early 2000s. 

Designed to sit neatly on the staircase, the baskets featured a distinctive shape with one side shorter and the other side taller, so they could rest snugly on a step. It was the perfect solution for when you needed to carry items upstairs or downstairs. These baskets were designed to park conveniently on the first or last step, waiting for you to deposit miscellany until your next trip between floors. Longaberger is the brand that wicker basket lovers are always hunting for at the thrift store, and their stair basket has recently been gaining attention within the community, particularly the 2001 series. This iteration of the famous woven basket was discontinued, so it is now a rare find in the vintage market. 

Depending on the condition, the basket could now fetch over $100 at thrift stores and online marketplaces. "For collectors and thrifting enthusiasts alike, these discontinued items are considered collector gold," a thrifter, TikToker Chloe's Closet, explained, outlining why the basket is gaining traction again. "The rise in value of these stair baskets can largely be attributed to their rarity and the growing interest in vintage items among consumers."

This unique design from Longaberger falls squarely in the category of vintage baskets worth hunting for at thrift stores, so keep your eyes peeled. However, if you're hankering for your own stair basket, and thrifting one locally feels a little like searching for a needle in a haystack, you can also look at options on online marketplaces. 

On eBay, the unique wicker basket typically sells for anywhere between $50 and $125. Pre-owned units with visible signs of wear, fading, or damage tend to have a lower asking price, while those with their original liners and still in good condition fetch more. Other places you are likely to find similar listings include Etsy and Poshmark. Mercari, which carries numerous Longaberger products, quickly sells out, but you can check the site from time to time for new listings.

Meanwhile, if you are not into pre-owned items and simply want to grab one for its distinctive design and practical functionality, you can purchase a brand-new unit directly from Longaberger's online store. The company still sells its signature stair basket design after all these years. Be prepared to pay a premium, however, since the Collector's Heritage Stair Basket with Protector — available only in warm brown — has a regular retail price of $392. Based on the product description, the basket is entirely handmade and comes with the Longaberger logo, as well as the weaver's initials and production year. Do note that this particular model is made to order, so there may be a wait period before it arrives.