Summary
A handwoven basket is one of the easiest ways to tidy a room without adding plastic. But "woven basket" covers a lot: jute, cotton, seagrass, water hyacinth, rattan, cane and more, and each one feels and wears differently. This guide starts with the fibres, then compares five Australian shops on what their baskets are made of, how soft they are, what they cost, and what delivery adds.
The short answer
- Gleemium — best for jute baskets softened with cotton, made from plant fibres, with free delivery Australia-wide.
- Fab Habitat — best value, with jute and seagrass sets of three, handwoven by women in Bangladesh.
- Madeit — best for baskets made by Australian makers.
- Harry and Kit — best for vintage and one-of-a-kind baskets from around the world.
- The Banyan Tree — best for heavy-duty cane and big laundry baskets, with a Melbourne showroom.
We checked every shop's own website on 4 October 2026. Prices and stock will change.
What this article covers
- A quick guide to basket fibres, and which one suits which room
- Why jute and cotton work so well together
- How we ranked the five shops
- Each shop at a glance: fibres, prices, delivery, strengths
- Delivery costs side by side
- A buyer's checklist and care tips
- Frequently asked questions
First, know your fibres
Most handwoven baskets sold in Australia use one of six materials. Here is what each one is like to live with.
Jute
Strong, golden and earthy. A fast plant crop that breaks down at the end of its life. A little rough on its own.
Cotton
Soft, light and gentle on hands. Comes in rope, cord, crochet and woven styles. Great for nurseries.
Seagrass
Smooth, firm and slightly glossy. Holds a neat shape. Often mixed with jute.
Water hyacinth
Light, chunky and soft-looking. Best kept in dry rooms because it can soak up moisture.
Rattan and cane
Rigid and very hard-wearing. Ideal for heavy loads and big laundry baskets. Firm, not soft.
Bamboo and willow
Light, airy and traditional. Common in vintage and market-style baskets.
Why jute and cotton make such a good pair
Jute is a plant fibre that takes about 120 days to grow. It is biodegradable and reusable, and turning it into goods is a simple process that does not need harsh chemicals. About 98% of the world's jute is grown in India and Bangladesh (FAO, Symposium on Natural Fibres).
The catch is texture. Jute's heavier yarns are the ones used for rope and sacking (FAO), so a pure jute basket can feel coarse. Adding cotton fixes that. The jute gives the basket its strength and shape, and the cotton gives a soft edge where hands, toys and throws touch it.
How we ranked the five shops
We ranked on four things: natural plant fibres, how soft and family-friendly the baskets are, whether they are handmade, and how easy they are to buy and get delivered in Australia. On that lens Gleemium comes first. Every other shop here beats us on something, and we say what.
Disclosure: Gleemium publishes this blog. Every price and fact below comes from each shop's own website, linked in the sources.
1. Gleemium — best for jute softened with cotton
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Range | 19 baskets, 18 in stock |
| Fibres | Jute and cotton blends (5), pure cotton (8), jute (2), jute on an iron frame (2 sets), water hyacinth (1), twill-woven fibre (1) |
| Price | $69 to $165, middle price $100. Several are sets of 2 or 3 |
| Delivery | Free Australia-wide from Perth, no minimum. 14-day returns |
What we are proud of: five baskets mix jute with cotton, the pairing explained above. The fringed basket is jute with a soft cotton fringe. The braided and striped baskets blend the two fibres right through the weave. Eight more are pure cotton, from thick coiled rope to crochet that folds flat when empty. Every basket is made by hand, so each one is a little different. Delivery is free to every state, with no minimum spend.
Worth knowing: most designs have one in stock, so a favourite can sell out. Our turtle basket is sold out right now. Two sets use an iron frame, and one basket is listed only as "handwoven fibre". Natural-fibre baskets are spot clean only.
Source: Gleemium baskets collection, checked 4 October 2026.
2. Fab Habitat — best value jute and seagrass sets
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Range | 13 storage baskets, 12 in stock |
| Fibres | Seagrass, jute, seagrass-and-jute blends, cane, jute and rattan |
| Price | $19 to $150.90 on sale. Sets of 3 from $82, about $27 per basket |
| Delivery | Same-day dispatch on orders before 1pm. Delivery cost shown at checkout |
What we liked: the best price per basket in this list, especially the sets of three. Fab Habitat says its baskets are handwoven by women in Bangladesh and give their families an extra source of income. Its seagrass-and-jute mixes suit anyone who likes a smoother, firmer finish than pure jute.
Worth knowing: the baskets are marked indoor use only and wipe clean. Prices are shown as sale prices against a higher "was" price. There is no cotton in the range, so you won't find a soft cotton rim here.
Source: Fab Habitat storage baskets and home page, checked 4 October 2026.
3. Madeit — best for baskets made by Australian makers
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Range | 162 handmade baskets and trays |
| Fibres | Varies by maker, from pine needles to woven t-shirt yarn |
| Price | Set by each maker |
| Delivery | Set by each maker |
What we liked: Madeit is a marketplace for Australian artists and crafters, so this is the place to find a basket made here, by a named person. Pine needle baskets and baskets woven from t-shirt yarn are things you will not find in the other shops.
Worth knowing: because each listing is a different maker, prices, delivery, stock and quality all vary. Some items in the collection are trays, not baskets. Check each listing before you buy.
Source: Madeit handmade baskets and trays, checked 4 October 2026.
4. Harry and Kit — best for vintage and one-of-a-kind finds
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Range | 14 baskets, trays and bowls in its baskets range |
| Fibres | Rattan, bamboo, willow and traditional African weaves |
| Price | $38 to $239 |
| Delivery | Small homewares $19.95, free over $200. Large homewares $39.95 |
What we liked: character. The range includes an old Indian bamboo basket with a lid, a vintage Chinese grain basket, an Indonesian fishing basket, and new baskets from Zambia and Ghana. The shop says it sources from small-scale artisans, independent makers and trusted vintage suppliers.
Worth knowing: these are statement pieces more than everyday storage, and most cost more than $100. Rattan and bamboo are firm, not soft. Delivery adds $19.95 to $39.95 unless you spend over $200 on small homewares.
Source: Harry and Kit baskets and storage and shipping policy, checked 4 October 2026.
5. The Banyan Tree — best for heavy-duty cane and big laundry baskets
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Range | 19 baskets and trays, 4 fully sold out |
| Fibres | Jumbo cane and kubu rattan, seagrass, water hyacinth, banana bark, jute |
| Price | $50 tray to $529 lidded hamper |
| Delivery | $15 flat for full-price homewares. Free pick-up from Camberwell, Melbourne |
What we liked: size and strength. Its jumbo cane baskets are built for heavy jobs like big laundry loads or blankets. It is a Melbourne family business with a showroom, so you can see and feel a basket before buying.
Worth knowing: the biggest pieces cost a lot, and several baskets were sold out when we checked. Sale items get a separate delivery quote. Cane and rattan are firm, so they suit adults' rooms better than toy corners.
Source: The Banyan Tree baskets and shipping policy, checked 4 October 2026.
Delivery side by side
| Shop | Delivery | Free when | Pick-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gleemium | Free | Always, no minimum | Ships from Perth |
| Fab Habitat | Shown at checkout | Not stated on the pages we checked | — |
| Madeit | Set by each maker | Some makers offer free shipping | Varies |
| Harry and Kit | $19.95 small, $39.95 large | Small homewares over $200 | Yes, in store |
| The Banyan Tree | $15 flat (full-price homewares) | Not for baskets | Yes, Camberwell |
Match the basket to the room
| Room or job | Best fibre | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Kids' toys and nursery | Cotton, or jute softened with cotton | Gleemium |
| Throws by the sofa | Jute and cotton, or seagrass | Gleemium, Fab Habitat |
| Heavy laundry | Jumbo cane or rattan | The Banyan Tree |
| Pot plant cover | Jute or seagrass, with a saucer inside | Gleemium, Fab Habitat |
| Shelf and desk clutter | Water hyacinth or small cotton baskets | Gleemium |
| A statement piece | Vintage bamboo, willow or African weaves | Harry and Kit |
| Something made in Australia | Varies by maker | Madeit |
Your basket buyer's checklist
- Name the job first. Toys, laundry, throws and plants all need different sizes and strengths.
- Check the fibre. Look for a named plant fibre such as jute, cotton, seagrass or water hyacinth.
- Feel the rim. For kids' rooms, a cotton edge is kinder to small hands than bare jute or cane.
- Measure the space. Handmade baskets vary slightly in size, so leave a little room.
- Add delivery before you compare. A $15 to $40 delivery fee can change which basket is cheaper.
- Check stock. Handmade pieces often come one at a time and can sell out.
How to care for a woven basket
- Spot clean only. Wipe with a damp cloth and let it dry. Do not soak natural fibre (Gleemium care notes).
- Keep it indoors and dry. Fibres like water hyacinth can soak up moisture, so avoid steamy bathrooms (Gleemium). Fab Habitat also marks its baskets for indoor use only (Fab Habitat).
- Use a saucer for plants. Never pour water straight into a basket.
- Keep coloured baskets out of harsh sun to stop the colour fading.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy handwoven baskets in Australia?
Gleemium for jute and cotton baskets with free delivery, Fab Habitat for low-priced jute and seagrass sets, Madeit for baskets made by Australian makers, Harry and Kit for vintage and global pieces, and The Banyan Tree for heavy-duty cane and big laundry baskets.
Is jute eco-friendly?
Jute is a plant fibre grown in about 120 days. It is biodegradable and reusable, and making jute goods is a simple process without harsh chemicals. Most of the world's jute comes from India and Bangladesh.
Why mix jute with cotton?
Jute is strong but can feel coarse. Cotton is soft. Together, the jute keeps the basket's shape and the cotton gives a gentle edge for hands, toys and throws.
What is the softest basket for a nursery or kids' room?
Cotton rope or cotton cord baskets are the softest, followed by jute baskets with cotton woven in. Firm cane and rattan suit adult rooms and heavy jobs better.
Can woven baskets get wet?
Try to keep them dry. Natural fibres can soak up moisture, so spot clean with a damp cloth, use a saucer under plants, and avoid steamy bathrooms for water hyacinth.
How much does a handwoven basket cost in Australia?
Across the shops we checked, from about $19 for a small hanging basket to over $500 for a large lidded hamper. Most everyday storage baskets sit between $70 and $150. Remember to add delivery.
Which basket is best for heavy laundry?
Jumbo cane or rattan, like The Banyan Tree's heavy-duty range. For lighter loads, a sturdy jute basket or a jute basket on an iron frame works well.
Sources
- Gleemium — Baskets collection and product pages, checked 4 October 2026
- Fab Habitat — Storage baskets and home page
- Madeit — Handmade baskets and trays
- Harry and Kit — Baskets and storage, Shipping policy
- The Banyan Tree — Baskets, Shipping policy
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Jute in South Asia, Symposium on Natural Fibres
Prices, stock and delivery were checked on 4 October 2026 and will change. Confirm on each shop's own site before you buy. Gleemium publishes this blog and ranks shops on natural fibre, softness, handmade quality and ease of buying. We have said plainly where others do better: Fab Habitat on price per basket, Madeit on Australian-made, Harry and Kit on vintage character, and The Banyan Tree on heavy-duty strength.
