In many homes, the basement is a place for storing rarely used items. But with too much clutter, it can feel like there’s no room to utilize it for anything else!
With a bit of organization, your basement can be more than a place for scrapbooks and old DVDs. You can transform it into a hobby den, entertainment area, and/or playroom for the kids.
But how can you make space without getting rid of everything that you own?
To do that, you’ll need a detailed game plan. We’re here to help with that.
In this post, we’ll show you how to transform your basement into a room that’s organized, spacious, and resistant to moisture damage:
Use Storage Bins
If your home floods, the first place you’ll notice it is in the basement. Storing your belongings safely can save them from potential moisture damage. Keep them off the ground using wide, plastic bins.
Another way to protect against moisture is by installing a high-quality subfloor. Not only does it help prevent water leaks, but it makes floors softer and warmer. This is due to the Air Gaps, which let water flow to the drain in a natural way.
Label Bins
We’ve all been there: you’re looking for an item that you know is somewhere in the basement, but you can’t remember where. To find it, you’ll need to overturn every storage bin and shelf. It seems like a whole lot of effort just to find one thing.
But when each bin is labeled, you’ll never run into this issue again. Everything will be in its designated place!
Labels are especially great if you have niche items to store, like crafting or building materials. Separate the Halloween decorations from the Christmas ones with labels and plastic bins. You might choose to use clear bins so that you can see what the bins are full of.
Purchase Furniture with Built-In Storage
Your basement can be functional and recreational. When you’re looking for furniture, try to find items that offer storage capabilities. Here are a few examples:
- Tables with interior storage
- Couches with space underneath for bins
- A TV unit with plenty of shelves and drawers
Not only are these items perfect for an entertainment area, but they’ll also give you additional places to store your belongings. Make your basement more functional with built-in storage furniture. When it’s time to purchase a new couch or media center, shop around for one that will double as storage space.
Metal Shelves
Stacking storage bins will only get you so far in terms of organization. There will come a day that you’ll need to open the bin at the bottom of the stack, which means you’ll need to take apart the entire pile just for one item.
A shelving unit can save you the trouble of breaking your back to dig out an old photo album.
What better way to match the industrial look of a basement than by using a metal shelving unit? Exposed back panels look great against a concrete wall.
Set Up a Curtain
Sometimes, it’s hard to make storage look aesthetically pleasing, despite your best efforts. If there are areas of the basement that you’d rather conceal, set up a curtain with a rod. You can pull the fabric across the area whenever you’re having guests over.
Wall Hooks
You can hang more than picture frames on your walls. Free up floor space by hanging items like bikes, tires, or workout equipment on the walls.
For smaller, lighter objects, you can use a pegboard. They’re perfect for storing tools or other household supplies like plastic/cloth bags. Since pegboards make things easily accessible, you won’t need to rummage around for an hour just to find a screwdriver.
Use Ceiling Track Systems
You’re all out of floor and wall space—but what about the ceiling? This often overlooked area can be used to store bins and bikes. Install a ceiling rack and slide bins between the tracks. Alternatively, you can set up shelves between the columns in your ceiling. You may need a small ladder to access the higher items.
Let Go of What You Don’t Need
Before you try to devise clever storage ideas, ask yourself the following: are these items really worth storing?
Eliminating the sheer bulk of your belongings can make storage solutions easier, simply because you’ll have less stuff to deal with.
It’s time for the tip that you’ll find on nearly any organization post: declutter!
Reorganizing the basement will be a lot easier if you have fewer belongings to sort through. Often, the items we no longer need or rarely use get stored in the basement and never see the light of day again.
A helpful tip is to imagine that you’re moving out. If you had to pack all your things and leave, would you really hold onto that cracked wooden desk or those extra holiday decorations?
Consider selling high-value items, and donating others to a friend, local shelter, or family member. Still, you don’t want to get rid of items that you may need in a few months. Don’t rush through this part of the task—you may want to sleep on it before deciding whether to give something away or hold on to it.
Floating Shelves
If you want to organize items but use minimal wall space, floating shelves may be perfect for you. You can fit them in areas that other storage units won’t fit, like under the stairs or in tight corners.
However, since these shelves are made from wood, they’re prone to shift when humidity levels fluctuate.
Transform your crowded basement into a space that’s clutter-free and efficient with the above organization ideas. It’s not every day that you need to break out your drill or crockpot, but when you do need these items, you don’t want to spend an hour searching for them.
When your basement is efficiently organized, you’ll have more space to do the things you love.
