How to measure space for a Bolga basket with a handle

Bolga baskets should be measured by floor space, basket height, and space for the handle. First, measure the widest point the basket can occupy. Then, check the height of the specific model, remembering that the height in our current product descriptions is given without the handle. Also, allow a little extra space because each basket is hand-woven.

I know that a measurement like Ø28 might seem simple. But how much space does the handle take up, and can the basket fit there when you also need to use it? A tape measure and a few minutes of calm can save you from choosing something that almost fits.

How much floor space do Bolga baskets require?

Start with the spot where the basket will stand. Measure both the width and depth, even if the model looks round in the picture. You can mark the space with newspaper or painter's tape on the floor. This way, you'll immediately see if the basket will stand freely or if it will be too close to a cabinet, a door, or another piece of furniture.

The current colored Bolga baskets in Molly's Heart's assortment are available, for example, in medium with a diameter of approximately 26 to 28 cm and a height of 20 cm without a handle. Large is approximately 37 to 40 cm in diameter and 25 cm high without a handle. The measurements come from the current product pages, and several colors in both sizes are in stock now.

See the selection of Bolga baskets with handles, and always compare the measurements of each item. Ø means diameter. This is the width of the basket across, not just the opening.

How do you measure the height when the basket has a handle?

Here it's easy to measure too tightly. The stated heights of the colored models are without handles. If the basket is to stand under a shelf, a bench, or a table, you cannot simply rely on the basket's height. There must also be space for the handle and for your hand when you lift the basket.

First, mark the basket's height on the wall or furniture. Then, add a little free space above and imagine the movement when you grasp it. The total height with the handle is not uniformly stated for all current products, so I will not give you a number that might not fit the model you choose.

This is exactly how we want to help at Molly's Heart: with the measurements we can confirm, and with honesty about what you need to check yourself. If the space is very precise, then do not choose a basket that can only just be squeezed in.

Should you choose Ø28 or Ø40?

First, ask what the basket should hold and how often you will move it. Product descriptions mention knitting, newspapers, empty bottles, shopping, toilet paper, and toys, among other things. The smaller size may be easier to place close to a chair or in a smaller corner. The larger one provides more space but also requires a clearer area around it.

You can try out the size at home before choosing. Draw a circle on paper with a diameter of 28 cm and one of 40 cm, or mark the measurements directly on the floor. Then, place the items you imagine in the basket within the circle. This is not a precise volume test, but it makes the difference in floor space concrete.

In our broad collection of fair trade baskets, you can also compare other shapes. Don't automatically choose the largest one. The right size is the one you can use naturally in everyday life.

Why should you give a hand-woven basket a little extra space?

Bolga baskets are not cast in a machine. They are hand-woven, and the current product descriptions explain that shape, color, and weave can vary slightly. Therefore, the measurements are a practical guide, not a guarantee that every basket is identical down to the last centimeter.

It's part of the craft's character. But if the basket is to stand in a very specific niche, it also means you should give it a little breathing room. Measure the niche, compare it with the item, and do not expect a hand-woven basket to be pressed between two hard surfaces without affecting its shape.

The baskets are made from elephant grass. According to the current product descriptions, the material can be moistened and reshaped if the basket has changed shape during transport or use. This is useful, but it does not replace good measurement. Molly's Heart wants to help you find a basket that fits the space and looks beautiful.

Take out your tape measure, write down the measurements of the space, and compare them with the specific product page. This will make your choice both calmer and more practical.

Thank you for reading.

Kind regards,
Birgitte