Our basements can become the dumping ground for all the junk and clutter we think we may need someday. It often is the catch-all spot to store items we just don’t know where to put.
If you are tired of venturing into your basement only to be faced with an overwhelming mess, Home Space Harmony is here to give you a roadmap. We have seen many of our clients struggle with how to organize their basement effectively.
So, get “organize the basement” off your forever to-do list with these three steps that will transform your basement into usable storage space.
1. Start with a purge. Inventory everything in your basement and decide if each item needs to continue to live down there. This is a time-consuming step and you will need to set aside numerous days. Here are some things to consider when deciding to keep, donate or trash:
Is this a seldom-used item that you could borrow from somebody else when needed?
Is it an item you haven’t used or don’t really value? If so, donate it. Looking for more information about donating? Check out tips here.
Sentimental clutter tends to collect in a basement. Do you really cherish your grandmother’s china or collection of Beanie Babies or anything that has lived in a box that you have not looked at in years? If not, give them to someone who will cherish them anew.
Is it an item that could be damaged by humidity and dampness? Not all items store well in the basement, especially unfinished ones. If yours is prone to moisture or temperature fluctuations, clothing, bedding, books, and photographs may not fare well down there. If you do store items like this, take precautions to keep items off the floor in plastic bins and use a dehumidifier. Silica packets in bins also help.
2. Identify zones. Plan to create storage, utility, and living zones in your basement. Having zones keep clutter and chaos under control and make it easier to find stored items when you need them. After organizing many basements, we have found these to be common examples of storage zones:
Workshop/DIY (tools & tile/painting supplies)
Sports equipment/activities like camping
Seasonal decorations or items (Christmas decorations, gardening supplies, patio furniture)
Keepsakes
Toys/clothing for next life phase
Overflow kitchen/entertaining supplies
3. Organize & contain. Our number one mantra is to store “like with like”. Make sure to use sturdy storage containers, such as plastic bins, that rodents, bugs, and dampness cannot easily get into. Also, keep in mind accessibility: how frequently and when you will access various items. The less you use an item, the less accessible it needs to be. Finally, we believe labeling is magic and the key to long-term maintenance. Make large, highly legible labels for each zone and subzone. Make an inventory for reference later.
Clutter holds you back. It is freeing to have it gone FOREVER. So start 2020 off right and whip your basement into shape. If you need a little guidance, we are here to help!
