Why You Should Think Twice When Considering Fabric Bins For Home Storage

Fabric bins are typically softer than other storage options and can look stylish. It might be tempting to use fabric bins made of woven cotton or rope as the primary storage method in your home. However, some of those gentle baskets aren't as practical as you may assume, as they can be less reliable and more flimsy than chic. While woven fabric storage bins are fine for keeping items on the floor, some aren't great for drawers or shelves. 

A fabric bin with inside support should be suitable, but without that extra support, the soft structure can be inconvenient when you try to grab the basket and pull it off a shelf. Just think of how frustrating it would be to reach for a fabric bin on your shelf, knowing you have to grab something you need from it, only for the basket to collapse and everything to fall out and onto the floor because of the relatively weak material and lack of support. Thus, although there's nothing wrong with keeping objects in stylish yet flimsy fabric bins on your floor or as an under-bed storage solution, you should use more durable options for products you keep on shelves or in higher-up, harder-to-reach areas. 

If you still want to use fabric bins on your shelves, look for sturdier options with interior support to allow you to grab the item off a shelf without it collapsing. For instance, check out the six-pack of foldable cube storage bins with handles from Simple Houseware, available in a variety of colors for $21.87 at Walmart. While these are still fabric bins, they're made with heavy cardboard on the inside of every side to provide support. These products have 4.8 out of 5 stars with more than 100 reviews, and a pleased reviewer even wrote, "I love these. Super sturdy and look good." Another reliable fabric storage bin option is the six-pack of collapsible storage bins with dual handles for $36.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond. Also in many colors with sturdy cardboard interior support, these bins have 4.6 out of 5 stars. 

For a closer resemblance to that of a woven fabric bin, the large OrganiHaus storage bin has a softer look in grey and white but is supported by a fiberboard base and a wire frame for stability. A three-pack on Amazon is $26.99 and is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. Ultimately, there's nothing wrong with using fabric bins on your shelves — as long as you double-check that the bins you're considering have interior support and good ratings. 

Although plastic and transparent storage bins aren't typically as fashionable as fabric bins, the clear and plastic options tend to be more practical and do a better job storing your items on shelves. "Clear storage bins are an excellent choice if you don't feel like labeling all your boxes and are an 'out of sight out of mind' kind of person," Caroline Solomon, a professional organizer, told Forbes Vetted. "While plastic is not an ideal material in terms of sustainability, it lasts forever and will keep all manner of bugs out, including bed bugs." 

If you're wondering where to shop for these helpful items, Ikea and Target have cheap storage bins, such as the top-selling clear SAMLA box with a lid, available at Ikea for $4.99. Or, for a larger option, check out the plastic and clear 66-quart box with a latched lid from Sterilite, selling for $8.39 at Target. Each type of storage bin is ideal for different uses. If you're looking for ones to act as drawers or for storage on shelves, the better choice is to skip the flimsy woven fabric bins and choose one with inner support or a sturdy, plastic storage bin.