Organizing Your Basement
The first thing you will need to do when organizing a basement is to go through all the clutter. You won’t be able to do any kind of organizing unless you know what items are down there. Sorting the items into piles can be helpful. Each pile can have a purpose, such as one pile of things to keep, one pile of things to sell in a yard sale, one pile of any items you want to give away to friends, family, or a charity, and even a pile of items that should be kept elsewhere in the house.
When it comes to choosing which items to keep and which to get rid of, there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself. Have you used the item in the last year? Will you use it within the next year? Is it something you really need, or will someone else benefit from having it?
Once you’ve sorted all the items into piles, remove anything that will not be kept in the basement and then you will be able to put the remaining items in their proper places. Many basements are used for storage, for keeping the appliances that maintain the house, such as the water heater and furnace, and as a place where activities such as laundry, crafts, or exercising are performed. From the items that remain, take each one to the place in the basement where it will be used most. For instance, the box containing glue and glitter belongs in the area where you will make crafts, and holiday decorations belong in the area used specifically for storage. Make sure the space containing your major household appliances is clean and free of clutter.
When all items are in the proper spots in the basement, you will need to put them away in a way so that they are neat, but also accessible. A great way to store items when organizing a basement is by using clear, plastic storage containers. Those with lids are good for items you don’t want to get dusty, while open bins are great for items you use often. If you don’t already have them, shelves are a great way to store loose items, as well as a place to neatly stack anything you’ve stored in boxes or bins. Make sure to store common items together so you won’t have to open several bins later on while looking for a specific group of things. Once you’ve organized the items into boxes or bins, label each one with the names of the items inside. This will help you to find a specific item quickly without having to rummage through each box.
One thing to keep in mind is that basements can flood. So, when organizing your basement, make sure any valuable items, or any chemicals, are stored on tables or shelves that are above standard flood levels. Any items that you don’t want children or pets getting into should also be stored well out of reach.
Organizing your basement may seem like a daunting task, but with just a little time and effort, you can have your space neat and clutter-free in no time.
