Let's be real. Hampers aren't very exciting things. Nonetheless, they're very necessary things, otherwise you would have to resort to throwing your dirty clothes in a pile in your bedroom, and that just isn't going to cut it. Before you buy any random hamper, there are a few things to know. From material to design, here are all the things you need to consider in order to find the perfect laundry-storer for your place.

1. How big do you need it to be?

Maybe you have a small apartment or condo. Maybe you or someone in your family does manual labor for a living and always has a lot of dirty work clothes at the end of the day. Or maybe you just have young kids who seem to constantly be making a mess. Hampers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it's key to pay attention to their dimensions and measure out your space beforehand to make sure it will fit.

It's also important to do your research before you buy: check the item's description online to see if it mentions how much laundry it holds. If you have a hamper that you're replacing, measure your current hamper to see if you need something with similar dimensions. A hamper's reviews can also help you determine if it will work in your space, but remember, "small" and "large" are relative terms.

Space-Saving Hampers

Nursery Hamper ($37.99): Don't let the name dissuade you, this compact hamper is stylish enough for an adult's bedroom, too.

Corner Bamboo Hamper ($24.99): This nestles into a corner, saving floor space.

Espresso Hamper ($63.99): This hamper is narrow, but tall, which means it's good for tight spaces and holds a lot of laundry.

Large Hampers

Water Hyacinth Double Laundry Hamper ($179.99): Not only does this have two baskets for laundry, it also can hold up to 28 pounds.

Heavy-Duty Laundry Sorter Cart ($58.99): This comes with four bags, and each bag holds up to one load of laundry.

2. What material do you need?

Canvas? Mesh? Wicker? Plastic? There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

Canvas, for instance, has a classically stylish look, plus it's durable and lightweight. However, wet clothes and towels left in the bottom of a canvas hamper may start to develop mildew.

Mesh may be more breathable, but it tends to rip more easily (though a mesh hamper is cheap to replace). Aesthetically, it seems to be better suited for a kid or college student.

Wicker looks beautiful and it's strong, so it's able to hold heavy clothes. Also, a wicker hamper often comes with a lid, helping to hide the laundry from view and trap odors. Yet, wicker can start to split and snag clothes, and it's not very breathable.

Plastic is generally lightweight, and a plastic hamper with holes allows air to circulate. However, plastic is prone to cracking, and it's hard to find an attractive plastic hamper.

The best option for you will really depend on your needs, and you can always do things like keep wet clothes out of a non-breathable hamper or hide a less-than-cute hamper in a closet.

Pro Tip: If you have cats, you may want to avoid getting a wicker basket or anything else that resembles a scratching post.

3. How far do you have to transport your laundry?

If you're one of the lucky ones, all you have to do is pick up your laundry basket underneath your laundry chute and take a couple steps to your washing machine. If you're like most people, you have to lug your laundry down your house's stairs or maybe down your apartment's hallway. The latter group of people should consider something that's portable, whether that's picking a hamper with a removable cotton liner or picking one with wheels that can roll to the laundry room.

Portable Hampers

Baby Things Bamboo Hamper ($18.56): This one has a removable sage liner that can be tossed in the wash along with the clothes.

Pop-Up Laundry Hamper ($11.99): With their double handles and shoulder strap, these are easy to carry through an apartment complex or to the laundromat.

Rolling Laundry Cart with Removable Bags ($35.99): This cart rolls across hardwood floors straight to the laundry room, plus its handled bags come off easily.

The Fine Living Company Laundry Bag ($86.91): Laundry bags are key if you need to walk or take public transit to the laundromat. This particular cheeky bag features two aluminum handles and a top that squishes together.

4. Have you thought about using a laundry basket?

Laundry baskets have several advantages over hampers. First of all, they're typically made out of plastic, which helps with ventilation. They also allow you to transport folded clothes back to your room, whereas a tall hamper (especially a tall, round hamper) doesn't hold stacks of folded clothes easily. And baskets usually can carry heavy loads. If you prefer function over form (they're generally not the most attractive laundry-storers), a basket is a great choice.

Clorox Plastic Basket ($39.20): This ergonomic plastic basket has a reinforced rim and is great for heavy loads.

5. What about a tote bag?

It's not an obvious choice for a hamper, but a large tote bag is a great option if you need to navigate steep stairs or if you need to do your laundry at a laundromat. Pick one with longer straps so you can carry it on your shoulder.

Summer Jumbo Tote Bag ($15.99): These totes with rope straps are cuter than most hampers and roomy enough to store your laundry.