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These festive storage baskets will curb clutter and organise your home this Christmas

These festive storage baskets will curb clutter and organise your home this Christmas

by | Oct 15, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be incredibly chaotic. And as you add presents, decorations, and guests to the festive fun, clutter can multiply and take over your house. That’s why storage is key.

As Ideal Home’s resident organisation guru and storage obsessive, I’m a big fan of pretty-but-practical storage baskets that help you store (and sometimes hide) those items that you don’t want on show. But I’m also a HUGE fan of whimsical Christmas decor. So, when I spotted new Christmas-themed storage baskets making the rounds, I knew they were made for me.

From storage baskets shaped like Christmas puddings to adorable penguins and trees, these are the magical buys I’m snapping up right now to get ahead of Christmas clutter at home. After all, if my prediction is correct, these will sell like hotcakes… or should I say hot chestnuts?

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While I’m obsessed with these adorable festive storage additions, I also appreciate that other Christmas storage needs to be practical. That’s why I’ve recently snapped up some practical storage for my Christmas tree, wreaths and baubles, too.

Joseph Joseph’s cult laundry basket has just received a clever upgrade that makes it even more efficient – it will make sorting washing faster and easier

Joseph Joseph’s cult laundry basket has just received a clever upgrade that makes it even more efficient – it will make sorting washing faster and easier

by | Oct 15, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Everyone’s favourite laundry basket has had a glow-up this autumn. The Joseph Joseph Tota 2 Laundry Basket (£120, Joseph Joseph) has had a couple of clever design upgrades that make sorting your washing even easier and more efficient – and no, you don’t have to sacrifice the sleek design of the original.

The Joseph Joseph Tota Laundry Basket has been a favourite amongst Ideal Home editors for the past few years now. Its original design won over our hearts, as not only can you separate lights and darks, but each section has handles, making the whole process easier.

Now, the Tota 2 has these key features, but it has also upgraded its lid, fixing perhaps the basket’s only pain point. Here’s everything you need to know.

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This year, we’ve seen the rise of the pretty laundry basket, and the Joseph Joseph model remains one of the best-looking laundry baskets you can buy. Its sleek, compact design and neutral colourways blend seamlessly into your utility room and bedroom ideas. The Tota 2 is no exception.

At first glance, the two models look very similar. The difference is in the material and the new lid design upgrade. The plastic used for the original lid has been swapped for a luxe felt that matches the side of the laundry basket.

The other upgrade is that the lid now cleverly docks onto the side when in use. So instead of floundering around for a spot to perch the lid while you’re lifting the laundry out to take to the washing machine, you just tuck it onto the side where it’s always at hand.

Joseph Joseph tota 2 laundry basket

(Image credit: Joseph Joseph)

‘I’ve had my tota twin laundry basket for 3 years; it was an expensive purchase, but so worth it. It neatly tucks away in the corner of my bedroom and speeds up laundry day as all my colours are pre-sorted. My partner has gone through 2 laundry baskets in the time I’ve had mine, and it still looks as good as the day I bought it,’ says Rebecca Knight, Ideal Home’s Digital Editor.

‘However, if I were to buy it again, I’d opt for the Tota 2 Trio (£130, John Lewis) so I have an extra compartment to separate things that need special washing care. I’m also very jealous of the new lid holder feature on the new and improved model!’

I’ll admit that Tota Laundry Baskets are expensive. Rebecca snapped hers up on sale, but does say it is worth it, genuinely streamlining her laundry routine. To further level up your laundry routine she also recommends pairing it with the Hold-All™ Ecru Collapsible 35L Laundry Basket (£37.50, Joseph Joseph). It is one of the best space-saving laundry baskets as it folds completely flat, making it easy to stash down the side of your washing machine or tuck behind the Tota laundry basket when not in use.

If you’re looking to overhaul your laundry routine, here are a couple of other clever buys to help simplify the process.

If you laundry routine is due a refresh, the Joseph Joseph Tota 2 is a serious contender for a more streamlined experience.

This £7 Argos shoe rack is the clever addition your hallway needs this autumn – the stackable design makes it perfect for smaller spaces

This £7 Argos shoe rack is the clever addition your hallway needs this autumn – the stackable design makes it perfect for smaller spaces

by | Oct 13, 2026 | Design Inspiration

The autumn weather can turn your hallway into a mess. And as someone who went years without proper shoe storage, I can tell you that constantly tripping over shoes and mopping up muddy footprints gets boring fast. That’s where clever products like the Argos Home 2 Shelf Stackable Shoe Rack (£7 at Argos) can help.

Yes, one thing I know for certain is you can’t keep a hallway consistently tidy without storage solutions that work for your entryway and your needs, and narrow hallways with limited space like mine suit small-space-friendly shoe storage solutions best. However, these space-savvy options also often limit the number of shoes you can store – which isn’t always practical if you have a big family, like to host or just love shoes (guilty!).

That’s why this Argos shoe rack is so clever. Not only does it give muddy shoes a home over the wetter months, but the stackable design means it can ‘grow’ as and when you need it. This means that you can tailor it to your space AND your shoes throughout the autumn months and beyond.

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At just £7, this shoe rack is ridiculously affordable, which is great for your bank account. But this bargain price also means that it’s not quite on the same aesthetic level as the prettier shoe racks on the market.

However, I’m a firm believer that shoe storage works best when it offers function over form, as attractive shoe racks often focus too much on looks and sacrifice usable space. But the Argos Home 2 Shelf Stackable Shoe Rack offers a compact design that’ll suit a smaller hallway, while also letting you expand it if needed.

White hallway with a white wooden door and a storage rack and bench

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

That’s because this shoe rack features a stackable design for those who want to keep more than six pairs of shoes tidy this autumn. For example, if you wanted to stop 12 pairs of muddy shoes from cluttering up your hallway, you can buy two and slot them together using the dowels in the four vertical pieces of wood.

If you need even more space, you can buy a third or maybe even a fourth and simply slot them on top of each other to keep them secure. And making the most of vertical space is one of the techniques the pros swear by when organising a smaller room or hallway.

Plus, I wouldn’t say it was unattractive. The natural pine look is a neutral design choice that suits any hallway decor, and you can paint it if you’re so inclined. This means it’s a very customisable way to autumn-proof your hallway, add extra storage to your entryway, or even add to the bottom of your wardrobe or tuck it into your under-the-stairs cupboard.

hallway with a storage bench and wellington boot storage next to it

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Don’t just take my word for it, either. This £7 Argos shoe rack is one of the retailer’s biggest sellers, and at the time of writing, the Argos Home 2 Shelf Stackable Shoe Rack has over 3,500 reviews with an average star rating of 4.2 out of 5.

One happy customer wrote, ‘I bought three of them. They’re an absolute bargain,’ and another raved, ‘Great value simple shoe rack. Easy to assemble, sturdy enough. We have it in a rear porch for gardening shoes, walking boots, etc. It holds plenty of pairs.’

A small minority haven’t been as positive about the quality, though, so bear that in mind if you’re looking to organise your hallway this autumn.

It’s a great, affordable option for muddy shoes, as long as you appreciate that it is definitely on the cheaper side of the market. But if you’re willing to splash a bit more cash, I have popped some alternatives below, too.

For just £7, though, I think the stackable Argos shoe rack is my winner!

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6 clever Christmas storage solutions to protect and organise your decorations – the affordable buys I’m snapping up

6 clever Christmas storage solutions to protect and organise your decorations – the affordable buys I’m snapping up

by | Oct 12, 2026 | Design Inspiration

I recently moved house, and although all major reno plans are on hold for a while, I decided to treat myself to some upgraded Christmas decorations as a little moving-in gift. But when a new tree, baubles, wreath, and other festive bits and bobs turned up at my doorstep this week, I quickly realised I hadn’t ordered something else: storage!

It’s easy to overlook how you store Christmas decorations, but many of these festive items are fragile and breakable. Not to mention, they spend most of their days in a cold, damp loft, where they’re susceptible to dirt and mould, which can drastically affect their look and lifespan. That’s why I’ve been on the hunt for some new storage that can protect them properly.

Ideally, I’d love to start by buying the bauble storage trolley that Ruth Langsford uses (which, if anyone is interested, is the very fancy Deluxe Rolling Bauble Chest, £279 at Balsam Hill), but my small budget just doesn’t stretch that far. So, I’ve found some more affordable alternatives, and I thought I’d share them with you, too.

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I always love to be prepared, so buying these Christmas decoration storage solutions now will prevent any nasty surprises after Christmas.

Next has dropped the prettiest laundry hamper I’ve ever seen

Next has dropped the prettiest laundry hamper I’ve ever seen

by | Oct 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Laundry hampers are a practical household buy that I usually want to find ways to hide rather than show off. Let’s face it, an overflowing laundry basket doesn’t add anything to a bedroom or bathroom scheme! However, Next’s latest design has completely changed my mind.

The Next Pink stripe hamper is one of the most stylish laundry hampers I ever did see. In fact, at first glance, I’m not sure I’d even guess it was one.

With its structured shape, pink and white stripe upholstery and pretty brass-effect handle on the lid, it looks far more like a chic upholstered stool or a decorative storage solution than somewhere to stash dirty socks. It’s the perfect home buy, and here’s why.

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Stripes have been everywhere in interiors recently, and I love how Next has used them to turn something as ordinary as a laundry hamper into a feature you might actually want on display, which is especially useful if you have a lack of storage space to contend with in a bedroom or bathroom.

The upholstered finish makes it feel much more like a piece of furniture, while the brass-effect handle is a small detail that seems to make it look considerably more expensive.

And it isn’t all style over substance either. At 55cm high and 35cm wide and deep, it gives you a decent amount og space for clothes without taking up an enormous amount of floor space, which is useful if you have a small bathroom or bedroom. It’s also surprisingly lightweight, so you could carry it up and down stairs easily.

Next striped laundry hamper with frill

(Image credit: Next)

What really sold it to me was that there’s no reason you have to use it for laundry. It looks so much like an upholstered storage stool that I could see it working in any room as a secret clutter buster.

It could be filled with throws and blankets in the living room, used to stash toys in a playroom or to hide random clutter when you’ve got someone popping over in 10 minutes. I’ve actually been using it in my daughter’s bedroom, where her cuddly toy collection is out of control.

next striped frill laundry hamper in a bedroom with rocking chair

(Image credit: Future/Jenny McFarlane)

There’s also a striped laundry bag option that’s a little more budget-friendly if you prefer a flexible style, but for me, the structured hamper is the standout. Its furniture-like design means you could move it around the house and give it a completely different purpose.

At £65, it’s not the most budget-friendly hamper you can buy. I’d probably opt for something a little more affordable if you think you’ll most likely hide it in a cupboard. If, like me, though, you love a bit of practical, pretty-looking storage that contributes to the room rather than detracting from it, the price feels a little more worth it.

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Whether you want to use it to conceal a week’s worth of washing, your child’s toy collection, blankets in the landing or random living room storage idea for clutter, this is the laundry hamper I am happy to have hiding in plain sight.

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