Why the basket hanging trend is the ultimate vintage trend that’ll never date
When it comes to decorating my home, I’m a real lover of anything vintage. Whether it’s a shelf of collectible ceramics or a showstopping piece of antique furniture, I’m a firm believer in fusing the old and new. So, when I noticed that many of the spaces I am loving right now have a collection of baskets hanging from the ceiling (or shelving, or mantel), I was keen to find out more about this rustic look.
Despite being a long-established vintage trend, I’ve recently spotted this unassuming piece of decor featured in projects across my social media feeds. Typically used for foraging and produce shopping, the basket is a staple in any rustic kitchen, but it makes a welcome addition to pretty much any room, be it a country-style living room or for adding some texture to an entryway.
Hung on beams, stacked on shelves, or used as coffee table decor, I’ve spotted baskets in interiors everywhere, from Martha Stewart’s basket room to more subtle inclusions of the vintage decor. These designers’ homes and projects prove the timeless versatility of one of the cheapest and easiest pieces to shop, both new and secondhand.
Interior designer Nickey Kehoe’s homeware shop, Household in New York City, has been decorated with an array of vintage woven baskets.
(Image credit: Sam Frost)
From vintage finds to collections of new and old, designers and homemakers have long loved the humble basket. Here to guide your basket display is an array of projects featuring the much-beloved, farmhouse staple.
(Image credit: Marilu & Co)
When it comes to decorating with vintage, Marija Gvozdenovic, founder and creative director of Marilu & Co., has long loved hanging baskets in her home. She says, ‘I’ve always loved baskets. When I was a little girl, my favorite thing was going to the farmer’s market with my mom. I remember watching older ladies carry their groceries in rattan baskets instead of regular bags – they seemed so elegant and effortlessly sophisticated. Even then, I dreamed I’d be that elegant someday.’
Channeling farmhouse kitchen ideas, Marija said her goal was to create a cozy place that exuded rustic charm. ‘When I began decorating our countryside kitchen, I wanted to bring that same sense of warmth and history into the space. Hanging baskets naturally felt like the perfect way to add coziness, texture, and a touch of nostalgia while keeping things practical.’ Marija’s outdoor kitchen, pictured above, features a range of baskets on the ceiling, a homage to the natural scenery that surrounds her home.
(Image credit: Margo Roth)
It’s not just kitchens that baskets look beautiful in; living rooms feel instantly cozier and eclectic with the addition of humble wicker decor. Take the space pictured above, designed by Margo Roth, it’s a real homage to the basket and showcases the versatility of a collection of them, layered together for impact.
Inspired by the cottage core trend, vintage lover Margo said, ‘Most of my inspiration for the hanging baskets on my mantel and in other places in my home comes from the English Cottage style that I love so much! I’ve found that in many cozy English cottages, baskets are used not only as functional items but also as decor.’
A basket is a thrift store find that will transform the living room. Margo explains, ‘Almost all of my baskets are second-hand and a good number of them are vintage! I always find them at thrift stores, but my favorite ones come from antique stores and can be a bit more pricey because they have a lovely patina. I try to go for ones that have a lighter, more wheat color tone than those that have a darker or orange tone.’
Sharing her styling tips, Margo says, ‘I would say that it’s best to make sure you have a good assortment of shapes and sizes so that your arrangement looks well balanced but not too contrived. It’s a very relaxed, hodgepodge kind of decor, so you don’t want to overthink it. It should feel a bit jumbled and carefree.’
(Image credit: Johanna Interiors)
Interior designer Johanna, founder of popular design page Johanna Interiors, is known for her old-world home influenced by European vintage styles. She features a range of vintage decor in her house, but the charming baskets featured in her kitchen are the perfect example of this timeless trend.
Inspired by France, Johanna said, ‘I love the warmth and texture of natural woven pieces because they remind me of effortless, cozy French country style. Most are vintage and handmade, collected over the years, with a few newer ones mixed in (from Michaels and Homegoods).’
Joanna likes to layer her baskets to create a sense of depth and character, ensuring they don’t appear too uniform or staged. ‘Lay them out on the floor first to find your composition, mix sizes and shades, then hang from the center outward (I just use nails). Then overlap a few for depth and vary the heights for interest.’
(Image credit: Caley Svensson)
Making the most of an awkward layout, interior designer Caley Svensson created a historically inspired traditional dining room using vintage baskets. She said, ‘I was drawn to how traditional English homes used “airer racks” – simple hanging systems for drying hand towels. That sparked the idea to recreate a similar look in my open window space, incorporating not just the airer rack, but also antique baskets for added charm. I loved the vision of baskets hanging from beams, reminiscent of older countryside homes. It felt like the perfect way to bring warmth and character into our newer build.’
Caley explains, ‘I like to ground my design choices in history. At first, I imagined using a branch from our backyard, suspended from the ceiling with rope, something practical and rustic, as it would’ve been in the past. Many of these older homes weren’t fancy; they were simply clever and efficient. Eventually, I found a vintage airer rack with pulleys and string, which made hanging the baskets easier, I just wove them through the slats.’
A thrift store buy that will make your home look more expensive, it’s not hard to find baskets lurking at your local branch. Caley adds, ‘Most of the baskets I use come from estate auctions or Facebook Marketplace. None are new. I’m not drawn to brand-new pieces—there’s something about the aged patina of an old, woven basket that gives it soul. It has to look like it’s lived a life already. That’s where the magic is.’
(Image credit: Marilu & Co.)
Ann Couser Kittredge, founder of interiors blog, Dabbling and Decorating, explains, ‘I’ve always loved collecting vintage and antique baskets, and even a few newer ones. I look for all shapes and sizes, and I especially love it when they have a bit of wear or history to them.’
‘Most of my baskets are vintage finds from antique shops, flea markets, and thrift stores. They’re some of my favorite treasures to bring home. Each one has a little story, and they make the whole room feel more lived in.’
Ann said, ‘In our old coastal Maine home, we have exposed beams on the ceiling, and I found the space above was just begging for a little texture and charm. I was inspired by the old primitive homes you see in magazines, where baskets were hung from the rafters for everyday use. They were originally used to gather fruits, vegetables, flowers, or even firewood. They were practical back then, but now they add this cozy, collected look that draws your eye up and makes the space feel warm.’
She explains, ‘Hanging them is simple. I just use small hook screws and hang the baskets right from the screws. I like to mix different sizes, shapes, and tones. Some are round, some rectangular, and I don’t worry about matching them; it’s the imperfections that make it interesting. And if you don’t have exposed beams, they look just as charming grouped on a wall or hung from hooks in a kitchen or mudroom wall rack.’
Shop the country-inspired look with these 6 chic baskets
Vintage Inspired Wicker Gathering Basket
Scalloped and finely woven, this vintage-inspired gathering basket is the perfect kitchen accessory that will sit proudly on any surface it’s placed on, either hung from a beam or set on an island.
This curved basket is made from chunky seagrass, meaning it’ll last for years and hide any miscellaneous trinkets or household essentials stylishly and chicly.
Woven Scalloped Wall Basket
This adorable wall basket is ideal for hanging from a hook or nail. Use it on a coat rack for flowers or keys, or hang it amongst other larger styles for an eclectic display.
Juliska Provence Rattan Rattan Decorative Basket
Inspired by antique styles, this woven decorative basket is the ultimate rustic farmhouse accessory. Whether you use it for collecting garden produce or hang it at the heart of your ceiling design, you can ensure your space exudes rustic charm.
Bay Isle Home™ Wicker Decorative Basket
Classic and elegant, these charming baskets are available in many sizes, making them the perfect choice for creating a showstopping display of baskets.
Williams Sonoma Onion Basket, Set of 2
Reminiscent of antique styles, these quaint onion baskets will make all the difference to a kitchen in need of character. Fill with vegetables or fruit, and you’ve got an artful, vintage-inspired arrangement.
Hanging baskets are an easy and affordable way to add some vintage charm and texture into any room, and it’s likely you have a few hanging about your home, so you could create this look without actually having to buy anything new. If you are in the market to pick up some new baskets, DIY and hobby stores will have plenty of cheap options, and so many fall collections feature beautiful designs too. Of course, always keep an eye on it in the thrift store as well – you’ll find plenty of unique baskets secondhand.
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