Apartments in Dubai have a unique feature: built-in closets are almost everywhere. But the catch is that bathrooms and bedrooms usually have no storage furniture at all. And there’s generally nowhere to put new furniture, either.
We believe that a set of woven baskets handles this perfectly. They serve the same purpose as a dresser or utility cabinet, cost significantly less, and add a visually appealing element to the room.
Choose the basket size based on what you’ll store in it. Place the largest open basket where laundry tends to pile up. Use the medium-sized ones in the bathroom for towels and linens. Put the small ones on shelves for small items that would otherwise end up scattered all over the place.
We’ll focus on open wicker baskets, since they work best where air circulation matters. In this climate, a natural-fiber laundry basket handles damp laundry much better than a closed plastic bin. So let’s take a closer look at materials and sizes, and of course, we’ll discuss bathroom storage separately, because the bathroom is the room that suffers most from limited space in local apartments.
Why Open Woven Baskets Beat Plastic Bins Here
The main reason here isn’t aesthetics, but the climate. In coastal areas, the air is humid year-round. Wet towels or gym clothes can start to smell after just a day (or even sooner) if stored in a closed plastic bin. But an open-weave basket lets air circulate, so the fabric dries out instead of getting musty.
A second practical consideration: rattan laundry baskets are lightweight and easy to carry, even when full. This matters because in most local apartments, the washing machine is on the balcony or in a storage closet at the end of the hallway.
And then there’s the appearance. Natural fiber has a warm, inviting texture. That’s why a woven laundry basket looks perfectly at home in plain sight in the bedroom or bathroom, whereas you wouldn’t put a plastic bin there.
But an open basket doesn’t hide its contents. Anything you need to keep out of sight is best stored in a lidded box or in a closet. If you need to hide small items, you can opt for decorative boxes, which can sit in an open area and still look visually appealing.
Sizes: What Fits in What
To avoid having to measure twice, here are a couple of standard size guidelines:
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Large, approximately 45 to 55 cm in diameter and 50 cm or taller. This size holds a full load of laundry for one or two people, spare bedding, beach towels, or throws by the sofa.
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Medium, about 35 or 40 cm. Use for bathroom towels, children’s toys, cleaning supplies under the sink, or folded linens on a shelf.
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Small, from 20 to 30 cm. Rolled-up hand towels, cosmetics, cords and chargers, dried flowers, and small items that tend to pile up on the console table.
A money-saving rule: go one size larger than you think you need. Baskets always end up fuller than planned.
And a measurement that’s often overlooked. Before ordering, check the height of the shelf or the space under the sink (basically, the height of wherever you plan to place the basket). A 40-centimeter-tall basket won’t fit into a 35-centimeter-high space, no matter how nice it looks in the photo. And if you need a basket for a family with children’s laundry, look at the largest models right away.
With larger sizes, weave density matters. A tightly woven wicker basket holds its shape under weight, while a loose weave sags over time.
And one last thing: storage baskets purchased as a set of two or three sizes in the same weave look well-coordinated. Mismatched baskets from different purchases look haphazard. For example, the Margarita line offers Small, Medium, and Large sizes in the same style.
The Bathroom: Towels, Toiletries, and What Goes Under the Sink
A typical bathroom in Dubai: tiles, plenty of light, a single vanity under the sink, and almost no storage space above or below it. Here, baskets serve three purposes:
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Towels. Rolled-up towels in a medium-sized basket on the floor or on a shelf free up the towel rack for the ones currently in use. And it looks just like a hotel. We recommend rolling the towels into a cylinder; this way, they fit better, and you can see all the colors at a glance.
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Bottles. A small basket on the vanity holds the small bottles that would otherwise be scattered around the sink. Plus, you can wipe down the surface in ten seconds.
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Laundry. A large laundry basket is ideal in the bathroom. That way, wet towels go straight into it.
The Sophia Organic Rattan Basket works well for towels: it’s 22 cm tall, fits on a wide shelf, and serves as a beautiful decorative element.
Don’t place a natural-fiber basket in the shower’s splash zone or against a wall that gets wet. If the bathroom floor is often wet, raise the basket onto a stand or a small stool.
To give the bathroom a finished look, add a tray, a ceramic bowl for rings, and a small mirror to go with the baskets. These are the very bathroom accessories in Dubai that are usually completely missing from rental apartments.
And here’s an important detail for renters: bathroom storage in a rental apartment should be freestanding, because drilling into walls is almost never allowed. We’ve covered what else is worth buying for a rental apartment in the article Furnishing a Rented Apartment in Dubai.
The Bedroom and Laundry Corner
Place the laundry basket where you take off your clothes. In most apartments, this is the bedroom. And it’s best not to place it behind a closet door, where it gets forgotten until it’s overflowing.
A two-basket system solves the most common complaint: one for light-colored clothes, the other for dark. Sort items as you toss them in, rather than on the floor on laundry day.
Here’s a rough guide for volume: a family of two fills a 40-cm-diameter laundry basket in about three days. That means you’ll need to do laundry about twice a week, but if you’d prefer to do it less often, get two large baskets right away. For this purpose, we offer the Ivy Sustainable Natural Basket and the Basket Natural with Macrame.
In the bedroom, baskets come in handy for more than just laundry:
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A large woven basket at the foot of the bed for extra bedding and throws, since closets in local apartments aren’t very deep.
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A medium-sized basket next to the reading chair to hold books and throws.
Now, about the balcony. In many apartments, the washing machine is located right there. This means you’ll regularly take a rattan laundry basket out into the sun for a few minutes, so sturdy handles are a must. Cheap baskets are the first to break.
Living Room, Entryway, and Kids’ Rooms
The other rooms also call for baskets, and not just one:
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Living Room. A large basket next to the sofa for throws and cushions when people are sitting there. And another one under the console table for remotes, chargers, and magazines.
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Entryway. A shoe basket here is perhaps the most useful storage solution in the entire apartment, since in Dubai, people take off their shoes at the door. A small basket on the shelf can hold keys and sunglasses. For shoes, choose a lower, wider basket so the pairs stand upright instead of lying in a pile.
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Kids’ Room. Open baskets are more convenient than toy boxes. A child can dump everything out and put it back, and the lid won’t get in the way. Two or three medium-sized baskets on a low shelf work better than one large box. Stick a picture on each one showing what goes inside, and even a toddler will understand where to put the toy cars and where to put the blocks.
Style tip: Use the same weave throughout the room so the baskets look like a set. And don’t hide them. The point of buying a woven basket instead of a plastic one is to display it.
If you’re currently choosing baskets in Dubai, start by counting the rooms. There’s room for at least one in almost every one.
Materials and How to Keep Them Looking New
Three main materials and how they differ:
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Rattan. The most durable, with the tightest weave; it holds its shape under weight - the best choice for laundry and heavy items.
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Seagrass and palm fiber. Softer and lighter, with a looser weave. Great for towels and throws, but doesn’t hold up as well under heavy loads.
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Macrame. The most affordable, but softer and less likely to hold its shape.
When buying, look for a reinforced top edge, handles woven into the body rather than attached separately, and a flat bottom. A basket that wobbles will wear out in one corner.
Care in this climate is simple: Once a week, brush it with a dry brush or vacuum it on the lowest setting. Wipe it down with a slightly damp cloth and never soak it (if the basket is macramé, skip this step). If the basket does get wet, let it dry completely in the shade. If the weave has darkened from dampness, wipe it with a cloth dampened with a weak vinegar solution, then let it dry in the shade.
Even a sturdy wicker basket left on an open balcony all summer will dry out and crack in a single season. Keep natural fiber baskets indoors or on a covered balcony. A small crack can often be repaired by trimming and tucking the fibers back in, rather than replacing the entire basket. That’s why good storage baskets outlast several cheap ones.
Where to Buy Baskets in Dubai
Before ordering, check:
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Internal dimensions, not external ones
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How the handles are made
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Whether the weave is tight enough for what you’ll be putting in them
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Whether the model comes in multiple sizes for a set
Start with three baskets: a large one for laundry, a medium one for the bathroom, and a small one for a shelf. Add the rest once you figure out which rooms actually need them. By the way, a natural-fiber basket also makes a great housewarming gift: it’ll fit in any apartment, even if you don’t know the layout.
Our Home and Soul store offers a variety of baskets and delivers them throughout the UAE. If you’re unsure whether a basket will fit under the sink or on a shelf, contact us, and we’ll confirm the exact dimensions before you place your order. Or stop by our showroom to see the weaving in person.
Large laundry baskets, including the Coastal Breeze L and Sunrise L, are featured in the Baskets section. And for trays and other bathroom accessories in Dubai that complete your bathroom, check out the Tabletop Decor section.
A few well-chosen baskets from baskets Dubai solve more storage problems per dirham than any piece of furniture. A good rattan laundry basket will outlast several plastic ones, which is a solid reason to spend a little more upfront. And your bathroom storage will be the first to feel the difference.
