A wicker basket with partition turns a single deep drawer into two or three tidy zones, so onions stop rolling into the potatoes and your dry goods stay separate from the spice jars. For Indian modular kitchens, where one 600 mm cabinet often has to do the work of three, that divider is the difference between a drawer you can actually find things in and a jumble you dig through every morning.
Most shoppers comparing a partition basket land on three names: a handwoven option like Akway, and the big hardware brands Ebco and Hettich. This guide compares all three fairly, explains where a wicker basket with divider genuinely wins, and helps you pick the right pull-out basket with partition for your pantry, whether you call it rattan, cane or bamboo.
Quick comparison: partitioned kitchen baskets
| Option | Material | Airflow | Custom size | Look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akway wicker | Natural handwoven wicker / cane | High, open weave | Yes, woven to your measurement | Warm, premium, natural |
| Ebco | Steel / wire | High, open wire | Fixed standard sizes | Industrial, modern |
| Hettich | Steel / wire | High, open wire | Fixed standard sizes | Industrial, modern |
| Generic PVC | Plastic | Low, solid sides | Fixed standard sizes | Basic, utilitarian |
Why a partition basket helps
A divider does one simple job very well: it keeps things from mixing. In a modular kitchen, a deep pull-out without compartments quickly becomes a single pile where small jars sink under big containers. Add a partition and the same drawer becomes organised storage, one side for onions, one for potatoes, or a row for spices and a row for sachets. You waste less, you find things faster, and food that should stay apart actually stays apart. The principle holds whether the basket is wicker, cane, bamboo, steel or plastic, but the material around the divider is what decides how fresh your produce stays and how the kitchen looks.
What to look for
- Material: natural wicker, cane or bamboo brings warmth and breathability; steel wire is tough and modern; PVC is cheapest but seals in moisture. Choose for how it stores food and how it suits your kitchen.
- Partitions and dividers: check whether the compartment split matches what you store. Two equal halves suit onions and potatoes; a narrow plus wide split suits spices alongside containers.
- Fit and size: measure the internal width and depth of your cabinet, then subtract about an inch for clearance. A partition basket only helps if it slides in and out cleanly.
- Airflow: an open weave or open wire lets air move around produce. Solid-sided plastic traps humidity, which is how onions and potatoes start to sprout and rot.
- Finish: look for a smooth, even weave with no sharp ends, a stable base, and a finish that wipes clean. On wicker, a tight handwoven finish lasts years with light care.
Akway handwoven partition baskets
Wicker Basket 22.5 x 20 inch - Samanvi
Large basket for 600 mm and wider cabinets. Wide enough to add a centre partition for onions on one side, potatoes on the other.
From Rs 3,100
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Wicker Basket 22 x 16 inch - Sayali
A long, shallow shape that suits a row of compartments for dry goods, sachets and small jars kept neatly apart.
From Rs 3,299
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Wicker Basket 16.5 x 20 inch - Saira
A pull-out friendly size for 450 to 500 mm cabinets. Split it into two for pulses on one side and packets on the other.
From Rs 3,000
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Wicker Basket 18 x 20 inch - Shanvika
Mid-size basket for 500 mm cabinets. A centre divider keeps containers and everyday dry goods in their own lanes.
From Rs 3,299
Shop NowThe brands, compared
Akway
Akway makes natural handwoven baskets in wicker, cane and bamboo, woven by Indian artisan families. The open weave gives strong airflow, which keeps onions, potatoes and dry goods fresher, and the warm natural texture suits boho, Japandi and modern Indian kitchens. The biggest advantage is custom sizing: if no standard basket fits your cabinet, or you want a specific partition layout, the basket is woven to your exact measurement. Standard sizes start around Rs 3,000.
Ebco
Ebco is a well-known Indian hardware brand whose kitchen baskets are typically steel or wire. Wire baskets are tough, easy to wipe, and the open construction allows good airflow. They come in fixed standard sizes built around common cabinet widths, with a modern, industrial look. They are a solid choice if you prefer metal and a uniform fitted-kitchen finish over a natural texture.
Hettich
Hettich is a global hardware brand also widely available in India, again known mainly for steel and wire kitchen baskets and pull-out systems. Like other wire baskets they are durable, breathable and easy to clean, sold in fixed sizes designed to integrate with cabinet hardware. Expect the same modern metal aesthetic; the appeal is engineering and a built-in look rather than warmth or custom shapes.
Generic PVC
Plain plastic partition baskets are the cheapest option and come in standard sizes. The trade-off is airflow: solid plastic sides trap moisture, so onions and potatoes tend to spoil faster, and the material can crack, yellow or hold odours over time. Fine for non-perishable storage on a tight budget, less ideal for fresh produce.
