I Thought Laundry Baskets Were All the Same. Then I Saw the One with Cats.

Have you ever tried putting washing into a soft shopping bag when you've got both hands full? The sides fold in just as you're trying to put the first towel inside, and suddenly the bag is more trouble than the washing.

That's why the first thing I look for now is whether a basket will stand up when it's empty. Poppy is designed to do exactly that.

I can picture it beside the washing machine, waiting for the next load instead of slumping in a heap on the floor. And because it has a quilted fabric finish, it doesn't look quite so much like the plastic tubs I've spent years hiding behind doors.

It's such a small detail, but anyone who does the washing week after week will know why I noticed it.

Now, the cats. I know a pattern like that won't be everybody's cup of tea. But I rather love it.

There's a whole parade of little cats on Poppy, with different colours and expressions, and the design carries on around the basket instead of stopping at the front.

That matters more than you might think. My laundry basket never stays pointing in one direction. It gets moved out of the way, turned round, and parked wherever there's a bit of space.

I like the idea of not having to find the 'good side' to show. If I leave a basket in the bedroom or bathroom, I'd rather it looked cheerful from wherever I'm standing.

And yes, I suspect a cat lover would find it very hard to ignore.

There's nothing glamorous about carrying a load of washing from one end of the house to the other. I've done it often enough to know that.

And when the basket has sharp plastic edges or handles that dig into your fingers, you certainly notice them.

Poppy has a canvas handle on either side, stitched to the quilted body. I like that there are proper places to lift it, rather than having to grab the whole basket in your arms.

I can't tell you what a particular load will weigh or how it will feel in somebody else's hands. But if I were choosing a basket for everyday use, the handles would be one of the first details I'd check.

Pretty is lovely. Practical is still rather important.

If you've ever had children or grandchildren staying over, you know the laundry room rarely looks like one of those perfect photographs.

There's a damp towel near the machine, something left on the floor and probably a basket waiting to be filled again.

That's why I wouldn't want a basket that only looks nice. It has to make sense in an ordinary house.

Poppy is listed as a quilted cotton-polyester blend that resists everyday light splashes and can be wiped clean. The product information also says it can be washed when needed.

I'd still check the care instructions before doing anything more than a quick wipe, of course. But it is reassuring to see that the material has been chosen for real household use, not just for decoration.

Have you ever noticed how much room an empty plastic laundry basket takes up? Exactly as much as a full one, unfortunately.

In a smaller bathroom or a guest bedroom, that can be a nuisance. And if you've ever tried squeezing a big plastic tub into the boot for a holiday, you'll know why a foldable one sounds appealing.

Poppy is designed to be lightweight and fold down when it's not needed.

To me, that's the sensible part of the design. It can stand up when you want to use it and fold away when you need the space back.

Some days the laundry seems to take over the house. On the days it doesn't, I rather like the idea of getting a little floor space back.

One lesson I've learned from buying things for the house is not to guess the size from a photograph.

A basket for a small bathroom and a basket for all the family towels are two very different things. And there's no point buying something lovely if you can't find a sensible place to put it.

Poppy comes in three sizes: Small, approximately 36 × 46 cm; Medium, approximately 41 × 56 cm; and Large, approximately 51 × 71 cm. I'd check the size guide before choosing, because the product information also notes that measurements may vary a little.

And then comes the fun part. Poppy is one design in a much larger collection of patterned baskets.

I'd probably start with the cats. Someone else might prefer flowers or a completely different animal print. It's nice to have the choice.

The danger, of course, is that you go looking for a laundry basket and suddenly start thinking one might be useful in the spare bedroom as well.