Display Your Memorabilia in an Extra Large Tobacco Basket
Tobacco baskets have a unique history, originally used to display and transport tobacco leaves by farms and tobacco companies. While they served a practical purpose historically, today these oversized woven baskets make for jaw-dropping rustic wall art and display pieces.
With dimensions up to four feet wide, extra large tobacco baskets are perfect for holding hefty collections. Their handsome aged look acts as a blank rustic canvas to style however you wish. Read on to discover why tobacco baskets make such statement home decor.
What Are Extra Large Tobacco Baskets?
History & Original Use for Tobacco
Tobacco baskets date back to the 18th century when they were used by tobacco farms and companies to store harvests in. These large, sturdy baskets transported hefty piles of tobacco leaves to market. Traditionally they were made of materials like wicker, bamboo, rattan or wood.
Oversized baskets kept fragile dried tobacco leaves aerated yet protected. Today, extra large tobacco baskets measure around 48 inches wide and 36 inches tall, with an opening around 4 inches high to contain contents. Their signature craftsmanship shows in the rustic wooden strip build.
Size, Shape & Construction
What sets extra large tobacco baskets apart is their generous oversized proportions. They typically measure about four foot wide and three foot tall, with a slim profile around four inches deep. This elongated rectangular shaping gives them a dramatic look.
These wooden crates were originally woven together by hand from natural materials. Traditional construction may use unfinished wooden strips, wicker, rattan, bamboo or similar. This raw, organic composition pairs with rugged distressing from use over time.
Rustic Aesthetic & Unique Styling
The worn, unfinished nature of these woven wooden baskets gives them undeniable vintage rustic charm. Their oversized shape makes quite the decorative impact. Neutral wood tones allow them to vibe well in any style of decor.
Aged elements like metal hardware, handles of rope or twine and natural imperfections amp up the historical aesthetic even more. Blending modern and traditional, these giants add lots of character anywhere.
Why Use Them to Display Your Memorabilia?
Perfect for Showcasing & Organizing Collections
What better way to exhibit your stash of collectibles than an extra large tobacco basket? These generously sized woven crates make eye-catching displays for treasures like ceramics, pottery or glassware.
Their expansive rectangular surface area gives you ample space to artfully arrange any set. Group together your collectible objects in an artful formation or stack books and framed photos. However you curate your collection, these baskets offer neat and tidy long-term storage too.
Versatile to Style However You Like
Beyond organizing collectibles, oversized tobacco baskets work wonders styled alternatively too. Line one with a cushion then heap with cozy throws and pillows to form a laid-back lounging pad.
Or, put those generous gaping openings to work housing rolled blankets, extra linens, kids toys or laundry. Even position horizontally and turn into an impromptu coffee table or bench seating.
Makes a Statement as Wall Decor
Make an entrance by mounting an antique oversized woven basket on your wall. Drawing the eye upwards, tobacco baskets command attention in any room they inhabit.
Style with purely aesthetic vision, filling them with faux botanicals, colorful artwork or decadent textiles as an artistic installation. Opt for an empty basket to showcase home architecture and draw focus on special nooks.
Decorating with Tobacco Baskets
Hanging on The Wall as a Focal Point
Thanks to their lightweight wooden craftsmanship, extra large tobacco baskets mount beautifully to walls as art installations. Strategically place them on a prominent wall in your entryway or above your sofa.
Primed for decor, fill with some coordinating throw blankets and pillows in natural linen and cozy knits to accent your living room. Or, stack coffee table books and potted succulents to ornament your foyer.
Placing on Shelves, Tables or Countertops
The flat bottom and short stature of tobacco baskets allow them to sit neatly on tabletops too. Position one on your dining table or kitchen island to instantly elevate these spaces.
Set atop open shelving to help wrangle books, barware and other everyday items. Perching one on your bathroom counter creates a handy catchall for rolled towels, self care accessories and more.
Complementing Your Existing Decor
What's great about extra large tobacco baskets is they assimilate into all manners of decor. Their subdued unfinished wood coloring plays well alongside other natural materials. Leaning into the vintage charm, pair with weathered signs, antique trunks, galvanized buckets and the like.
For modern spaces, try glossy black frames and ceramic pieces inside. The striking juxtaposition of sleek against organic makes an eye-catching statement. Incorporate carved wood bowls, feathers and dried botanicals for a free spirited boho vibe.
Styling Ideas for Your Tobacco Basket
Fill with Frames, Books, Plants & More
Once mounted or positioned, get creative with ways to deck out your tobacco basket. Simple yet impactful options include stacking your favorite coffee table books, cherished family photos or artful accent pieces. Group together objects with something in common, whether tones, textures, subject matter or beyond.
House leafy potted plants like spider plants, philodendron or monstera deliciosa for an indoor oasis effect. Mass display ceramic vases and glass bottles filled with faux dried blooms or eucalyptus stems too.
Add String Lights or Garland
For extra embellishment, infuse delicate lighting elements like string lights or garland. Outline the opening with strands of Edison bulbs on a timer, casting a moody glow at night. Opt for natural vine balls, faux ivy strands or a vibrant pennant banner too.
Weaving elements vertically, horizontally and diagonally provides visual interest. Try combining multiple layers of draped textures like knit blankets, tassel trim and macrame patterns for major depth.
Paint or Stain for Custom Looks
Tobacco baskets also make a fabulous blank canvas for painted accents or wood stain colors. Opt for an ombre dip dye effect, starting darker on the outside and getting lighter towards the interior.
Paint or stencil on intricate patterns like geometric shapes, scrolling florals and ornamental frames if you're feeling artsy. Consider a bright high-gloss pop of color on the interior only for happy contrast.
Sourcing and Shopping for Tobacco Baskets
Where to Buy: Online and In-Store Options
While antique tobacco baskets can certainly be sourced online through auction sites, you can also find oversized new tobacco baskets from many retailers. Mass merchants like Target and Walmart, along with home goods stores such as HomeGoods offer great budget-friendly options. For high end and specialty baskets, check boutique homeware shops and handmade marketplaces like Etsy.
What to Look for in Quality Construction
Inspect basket openings to ensure they're cleanly cut and secured tightly with staples, stitching or bindings. Check that longer strips lay as flush together as possible with no major gaps or splintering wood. Handles should comprise twisted fibers or braided ropes triple-stitched securely.
Quality baskets feel solidly structured and weighted. Yet they remain lightweight enough for hanging. Knock on the exterior to make sure the body sounds and feels sturdy with no hollow sections or loose rattling inside.
Extra Large Sizing - Dimensions to Fit Your Space
While most tobacco baskets measure a standard 36L x 48W x 4H inches, dimensions can vary slightly based on manufacturer. Measure the area you intend to hang or place the basket first. Jot down the height, width and depth numbers.
Shop options approximately 4-6 inches smaller width and length-wise than your space to allow sufficient visible wall space around. Note tobacco baskets appear much larger and imposing in real life than online images!
Caring for Your Tobacco Basket Over Time
Cleaning a Tobacco Basket Properly
Over time, tobacco baskets can accumulate dust, dirt and grime, especially if used to hold greenery or sitting outside. Routinely wipe baskets down by mixing a mild detergent like dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle. Gently scrub stains with a lint-free rag or soft brush, then wipe excess moisture with a clean towel to prevent warping wood.
Maintaining the Condition of Materials
Every 1-2 years, thoroughly clean your basket then apply a conditioning coat of food-safe butcher's wax, beeswax polish or hemp oil. This nourishes wood, repelling future dirt and stains. After cleaning, allow baskets to fully air dry before re-hanging or filling to prevent mold and bacteria from developing.
Repairing Damage from Wear & Tear
If your basket accumulates nicks, splinters or holes from everyday wear, sand rough spots then dab wood glue into damaged areas. Allow to cure fully per manufacturer instructions, then buff with fine grit sandpaper for a smooth finish. Touch up with a stain marker or wood paint if needed.
Inspiring Photos of Tobacco Baskets Decorated
Eclectic Collector-Themed Displays
Group together your stash of antique cameras, classic books and quirky sculptures inside an extra large tobacco basket for a visually arresting assemblage. Mismatched frames, oxidized silver pieces, sea shells and starfish also blend beautifully.
Bohemian & Farmhouse Inspired Rooms
Leaning into their roots as rural storage vessels, oversized woven baskets feel innate to natural decor aesthetics. Weave in laser cut wood signs, carved bowls, cowhide rugs, linen bedding and rattan furniture to complement the rustic charm.
Modern High Contrast Arrangements
For contemporary spaces, fill tobacco baskets with ceramic vases, sculptural metallic objects, framed graphic art prints, fiddle leaf figs and piled coffee table books. The mishmash of sleek statements and organic basket textures makes an eye-catching display.
FAQs About Using Tobacco Baskets
Are They Easy to Hang on The Wall?
Yes, hanging extra large tobacco baskets is quite simple. These woven wood crates remain relatively lightweight despite their sizable proportions. Use sturdy picture frame hanging hooks secured to wall studs. Position hooks underneath the upper lip of the basket, anchoring them in place.
How Much Weight Can a Tobacco Basket Hold?
Tobacco baskets can comfortably hold around 15-20 lbs when mounted, less if sitting on narrower shelves. Ensure you evenly distribute weight so not to warp basket materials over time. For heavier displaying, consider additional support beams placed underneath.
Beyond wall hanging installations, creatively use extra large tobacco baskets to hold rolled blankets, accessories, clutter, kids toys, pet supplies, garden tools, fireplace logs and other everyday items. You can even flip them sideways to act as rustic bench seating!