Interior designer Shea McGee has a knack for making functional and usually unsightly features seriously stylish. So, when she shared her advice for making a laundry room feel more beautiful, I was ready with a pen to take notes.
But there was one unexpected thing that really stood out to me – her laundry baskets. A feature we usually hide away (out of sight, out of mind), these stylish designs prove it's easier than you think to make your laundry room storage ideas 'pretty and practical.'
It's a simple and essential element of any laundry room, but for most of us, hiding them away from clear sight is near enough impossible. But a stylish laundry basket is an easy and often affordable way to give your space a fresh look – and exactly what my own home is missing.
I get it – laundry basket inspiration probably isn't something you expected to need, but this laundry room essential is something none of us could live without. Even if you don't have a dedicated laundry space, you probably have a basket in your bathroom or bedroom.
But getting rid of an old, ugly laundry basket and replacing it with a more elevated design that matches your interiors is the simplest way to create a more stylish scheme where you no longer have to hide it away. And that doesn't mean forgetting the function either.
'A rolling laundry bin is a functional piece that can be both styled and stowed. Whether tucked under a counter or placed nearby, it makes transporting clothes from washer to closet effortlessly chic,' says Shea in her blog.
And that's exactly why Shea's designs stood out to me – while the laundry basket was a bit chicer than your average design, it didn't compromise on functionality. Even though a wheeled base isn't essential, it certainly makes chores much easier – being able to roll your basket rather than try to drag it between rooms is surely a no-brainer.
Either way, this simple swap should be top of your to do list – before the next load of laundry beckons.
Shop stylish laundry baskets
From the laundry basket Shea uses on repeat to alternative designs that nail that same balance of pretty and functional, shop these stylish designs for a quick and easy way to elevate your laundry room.
Want to recreate Shea's laundry room aesthetic? She's used the Steele Canvas 3-Bushel rolling hamper, although she's also used some of the other sizes in other projects. It's a sturdy design made from 100% cotton with a steel frame and handy castors.
If you like the canvas look but want a more affordable option, this design has a similar feel. Available in two sizes and two colors, this hamper is highly rated by over 800 customers. It also features a similar wheeled base (with breaks) for easy transportation from room to room.
You don't have to opt for a canvas hamper – in other projects, shea has introduced a wicker laundry basket, like this one. It still features the castors for functionality, but it brings a different aesthetic to a room – a bit more rustic, but just as chic and easy to style.
A Shea-approved feature, this simple laundry basket swap not only makes your space look more stylish but also makes organizing your laundry room much easier. It's a small swap, but one that feels totally transformative, whichever room it's in.
