Bring your interior to life with baskets

Many of us rock our minds over the choice of décor to settle for that will pull off a simple, yet elegant look in our homes, offices or public areas. But have you thought about how much you can do with hand woven baskets?

Baskets can do more than just being used in the kitchen for storage and other purposes, and they never disappoint.

The moment one steps into Beatrice Mpanga’s house, it is easy to see she was deliberate with her use of hand woven baskets. On the biggest wall of her seating room, just above her long sofa is an elaborate collection of baskets thoughtfully arranged: from colourfully patterned Nubian baskets, plain brown Kiganda baskets, the ‘Endiro’ covers from Western Uganda to the black and white patterned Kinyarwanda baskets.

Away from the sitting room, the long corridor leading to a number of rooms is also dotted with baskets mixed with mirrors on the opposite side, reflecting the baskets to create an impression as though they were many.

Mpanga shares that she has always been fascinated with hand woven things but more specifically, she has loved baskets because of their beautiful patterns, designs and shapes. 

“I started making a collection and every time I travelled, I made it a point to buy baskets from those places. That made them more special for me because each basket reminds me of somewhere I have been,” she shares.

In the end, she was proud of what she had created. “My house had a touch of uniqueness. It felt traditional but modern at the same time. With baskets, I was able to create a focal point in my seating room that captures one’s attention the moment they get in,” Mpanga proudly says.

Why baskets

Agnes Nalwanga, an interior designer and basket weaver at African village, Buganda road further recommends wall baskets to come off in good taste especially for one seeking to achieve an African look or touch.

They can also be used in plenty as a central theme without screaming ‘too much’ or sparingly, to compliment an already existing décor.

“Baskets bake well with modern, classy decor as well as vintage or traditional styles.  They can also be used everywhere in the house, right from the sitting room, corridors, bedroom, to the bathroom without losing their face.”

Here are different ways baskets can be employed.

On the wall

Nalwanga advises that you can, select a number of baskets – as many as you wish or can afford to get. These can either have a uniform colour, design and size or be different in all those aspects. In a shape/ style that you wish, hang your collection in a strategic, uncluttered, open space of the wall to form a cluster of baskets.

“This will help highlight your theme, to give it a bold look that stands out, leaving your room with the look it deserves,” she advises. Elsewhere in the house, a few baskets here and there or a collection of just a few of them can be hung on the walls to compliment your centrepiece, Nalwanga adds.

However, one can always go the extra mile and have a centrepiece, that is, a cluster of baskets hung on the walls for every room. Just make sure they stand out independently in open wall spaces.

Robina Kakooza, a craft and art seller at Craft Africa, Buganda road encourages that baskets are locally available, affordable and can be found in craft shops/outlets or from individuals/ groups that sell crafts and art pieces.

Baskets range from Shs10,000 and above depending on the size, design and origin of the basket.

Elsewhere in the house

To emphasize your basket décor, placing baskets of different shapes, sizes, patterns elsewhere in the room or house will achieve the desired effect. The same goes for one who wants to complement their already existing style or décor with baskets, Joy Namuddu an interior designer shares.  

“There is a lot you can do with baskets. You can use them to hold your centerpiece on the dining table or to hold any other crafts and toys. They can be used for serving purposes, like the ‘Endiro from Western Uganda, as a platter or as table mats. You can use them for storage of flour, cereals, fruits, bread. In the kitchen, you can use them to hold cutlery, and it will still remain a part of your décor,” Namuddu advises.

In the bathroom, you can have a collection of baskets hung on the wall, away from water, to keep your lotions, combs, shampoo, nail polish or oils and treatments. You could also have a small or customized basket to be your toothbrush holder, toilet paper holder or a big one to be your laundry basket. You can also use one to hold your potpourri.

For sellers of products and merchandise, baskets can be used for display of products.

Now that you realise how much trouble these little pieces can save, and how only the sky is the limit to their use, you can go give your interior t