If your living room seems to collect throw pillows faster than it collects square footage, this little storage trick is one of the smartest fixes I’ve used. You take a big round seagrass basket, tuck in a fitted garbage bag liner, and suddenly you have a roomy, dust-blocking storage bin that still looks right at home beside a sofa or tucked in a corner.
I love projects like this because they solve a real household problem without making the room feel more cluttered. This is especially nice for small spaces, for families who swap pillows seasonally, or for anyone who wants extra storage without dragging out a bulky plastic tote every time the seasons change.
Materials
1 large round seagrass basket, 20 to 24 inches wide and 18 to 22 inches tall
Instructions
1. Set the seagrass basket where you plan to use it and make sure it is clean, dry, and holding its shape well. If the basket has any bent areas, gently press them back into place with your hands.
2. Open the fitted garbage bag liner and shake it out fully so the corners and elastic edge relax. This helps it sit smoothly inside the basket instead of bunching up.
3. Drop the liner into the basket and press the bottom flat with your hands. Pull the elastic edge up and over the basket rim so the liner hugs the inside neatly like a fitted sheet.
4. If you want the liner extra secure, place 4 small pieces of removable clear tape evenly under the rim to hold the elastic in place. Keep the tape inside the basket so it stays invisible from the room.
5. Add a cedar sachet or lavender pouch to the bottom if you are storing pillows for more than a few weeks. I like this step because the pillows come back out smelling fresh instead of stale.
6. Fold and stack the throw pillows vertically in the lined basket, starting with the largest or fullest ones around the outside edge. Fit the smaller or softer pillows into the center so the basket looks full, rounded, and tidy.
7. Gather the top of the clear liner above the pillows and loosely twist it closed without crushing the pillow shapes. Tie it with the ribbon or cotton tie so dust stays out but the pillows keep their loft.
8. Tuck the tied liner down into the basket so the plastic sits below the rim and the natural seagrass still shows. Fluff the visible tops of the pillows or let one pretty pillow peek up slightly if you want the storage basket to double as decor.
9. Place the finished basket beside a sofa, under a console table, or in an empty corner where you need hidden storage that still looks warm and intentional. The whole point is that it reads like a nice basket first and a practical storage solution second.
Variations & Tips
For extra-full baskets: Use pillow inserts you are not currently displaying along with complete throw pillows to fill the basket generously. A fuller basket looks prettier and helps the liner stay in place.
For picky decorators: If you don’t love the look of visible plastic, tuck the liner lower and place one favorite pillow on top as a soft cover. It keeps the storage practical while still looking styled.
For seasonal swaps: Store holiday or winter pillows in the lined basket and keep everyday covers on the sofa. This makes changing the room feel a little special without hauling bins in from another closet.
For homes with pets: Choose a taller basket so the pillows sit deeper inside and stay cleaner between uses. The liner also helps keep pet hair from settling all over stored fabric.
For easy access: Don’t overpack the basket to the point where you have to wrestle the pillows out. I’ve found 4 to 6 pillows is the sweet spot for a large round basket in a family living room.
For a polished finish: Match the ribbon tie to your room, like cream cotton for a calm neutral space or black grosgrain for a more tailored look. It’s a tiny touch, but it makes the whole setup feel thought-out instead of improvised.