Decorating walls with baskets has become quite the trend for wall decoration that goes beyond the usual gallery wall. Used in a minimalist scheme and tastefully hung in groups, basket decor can be used to add an eclectic warmth and texture as well as pattern and color to a space.
“Using unusual objects on the wall can be a fun and playful way to bring texture but also personality,” says Celine Erlam, director of Indie & Co. “It’s a way to showcase the things you love and it’s very tactile and interactive .’
The basket look is a simple replacement for framed wall art and also works to add some texture with three-dimensional depth and natural material. Ties to nature can also help the pattern calm down, so it’s perfect for the modern home. Here, we talk to designers to find out exactly how to create a living room wall decor idea you’ll love.
Oonagh is a home editor and writer with a penchant for all things decorative in the home. He’s used his interest in decorative trends to get to the nitty-gritty of this particular style and used his contacts to find out why the basket decor craze is having a moment in the spotlight.
How to decorate the walls with baskets?
(Image credit: House of Nomad)
Choosing the perfect baskets is the first step in getting your living room wall art right. Make sure they work together and show similar colors – three different colors max, others will just look busy. “I would keep things asymmetrical and/or different sizes, shapes and patterns,” says Celine of Indie & Co. (opens in a new tab). ‘I would find a certain uniformity in the colours. Even keeping the same tones can be fun.’
When it comes to material, look to natural fibers. “We love the idea of wicker or rattan baskets,” says Pablo López Navarro of Madrid-based interior design house Casa Josephine (opens in a new tab). ‘Even the straw is a yes from us. It’s a 100% Mediterranean tradition and we love its summery, casual and understated look.’
When it comes to planning the look of your decorative basket, play around with the placement and don’t drive nails into the wall until you’re sure exactly where you want your basket to go. Arrange them on the floor so you can move the baskets around freely and see what shapes you like. Take into consideration the girth and width of the baskets and get a feel for whether you want the style to overlap or space out. You may want to keep the baskets in line, as shown above with the House of Nomad baskets (opens in a new tab)or zigzagging to add interest.
When leaning them against the wall, consider small nails, picture hooks, or strip or command hooks (opens in a new tab) which are cheap and will not damage the wall. Make sure you choose an option that is flat so you avoid clutter behind the bin which will only cause them to protrude from the wall. You also have to be careful to avoid damage to the trash. Consider wrapping a thin piece of yarn around the back of the basket and hanging it on the wall—this also means you can mix them up year-round. “The result is an eye-catching look for any home as they’re so versatile,” says designer Birdie Fortescue (opens in a new tab).
What is the legacy of these baskets?
(Image credit: Anna Stathaki. Design: Indie & Co)
If you’re hanging a handcrafted basket in your home, do your research so you have a thorough understanding of where it came from, how it was once used, and what it’s heritage is. Traditionally, these baskets originate from Africa, where countries across the continent have been creating them for generations, woven as part of agricultural practices such as harvesting and transporting crops and sieving. Wickerwork is an ancient skill that has evolved to become a contemporary art form and reflect African culture in modern interiors.
Nowadays, the material used includes natural materials but also plastic and wire, but historically these baskets are handcrafted from natural fibers. The pattern and shapes vary greatly, meaning each basket is different and at the hand of its maker, who could take weeks to complete the weaving of just one basket.
Ashanti Design is a South African design firm with a long-term commitment to its African weavers in Malawi. “We have built these relationships with our weaving communities over the past 15 years and have been privileged to see new generations of weavers join this ongoing project,” explains Abigail Snyman of Ashanti Design (opens in a new tab).
‘Each hand woven basket you purchase comes from a very special place and a very special weaver. No basket will be identical, each one unique just like the person who itched is an invasive water hose, our weavers have used traditional weaving techniques to create products for their homes; palm leaf mats cover the floors of their huts and are used for sitting and sleeping, as well as a roof.
‘Each hand woven basket you purchase comes from a very special place and a very special weaver. No basket will be identical, each one as unique as the person who made it.’
How to group the baskets on the wall
(Image credit: House of Nomad)
At times, a simple standalone basket can feel dramatic, but you want to make sure it’s large enough to stand up as a work of art in its own right. “Even having a weird one can be fun, but a bit risky,” Celine points out.
More often than not, the trash design technique works in small batches. Three or five are good numbers and you can play with the angles, but other odd numbers work better, with the asymmetry creating a visually pleasing aesthetic.
In which rooms should I use the baskets to decorate the walls?
(Image credit: Laura Sumrak. Design: House of Nomad)
When it comes to where in the home it works for the trash on the wall trend, think about rooms where you want to inject some personality and break up some empty wall space. The look works well above a bed, acting as a headboard and a piece of art at the same time. It also comes with calming natural overtones that work well for this sleeping space.
Elsewhere, think of other architectural features you might want to highlight. Above the fireplace on the mantelpiece decor gives the mantelpiece a nice feature, or alternatively, a shelf in the kitchen could be a nice place for baskets – serving as decoration and practically for serving plates or fruit bowls. Another idea is to carry the baskets up the stairs to lead the visitor to the top, as seen in this project by House of Nomad.
Think carefully before hanging in your bathroom. The natural material may not perform well in a humid environment, so stick to drier rooms in the house where the baskets won’t be damaged by moisture in the air.
(Image credit: Ashanti Designs)
Finally, get creative with your display and mix and match to add your own personality to the finished piece. “Besides the baskets, the look could be accomplished with many other items, such as cutting boards, hats, pans, and plates,” says Celine. You might want to add your living room mirror and circular ceramic bowls that might go well together with the baskets, and decorate further with pieces like cascading plants to add an extra touch of nature.
