Basements are utilized for so many different purposes – home offices, bedrooms, gyms, and more. As you’re making new changes and additions to enhance your home, you’ll find that the basement opens opportunities for extra storage. No one wants the eyesore of stacked storage bins or cardboard boxes, so it’s important to invest in efficient storage solutions that are pleasing to the eye. Here are 6 storage tips and ideas for your small basement, no matter what you choose to use the space for.
1. Categorize Bins
The first and most important step to the organization of any room is to categorize items. Store all like items together – holiday decorations, childhood memorabilia, family heirlooms – whatever you have to store! Putting similar things together makes it easier to find them when it’s’ time to bring them out again next year.
2. Label, Label, Label
After you’ve categorized your items and stored them together, it’s time to bring out the label maker that’s been collecting dust. Labeling storage locations will make it easier to keep items in their designated spaces and will lower the chances of misplacing an item. If you’re worried about how the labels look, consider clear labels or hiding them out of sight.
3. Staircase Storage
Installing pull-out drawers into a staircase is one of the most efficient, yet hidden storage solutions for the basement. Drawers are installed horizontally into each stair, so it won’t get in the way of commuting up and down the stairs. It also presents an excellent labelling opportunity, as the labels can be easily hidden inside of the drawer. With larger, hidden spaces, it’s a perfect place to hide decorations that don’t fit the look of the room.
4. Floating Shelving
Floating shelves on the walls are a great way to utilize storage space without taking up any room on the floor. This opens the room up and gives you more space to use the room for what you really want it for. Since it isn’t hidden, it may not be the best choice for items that will be an eyesore. It would make a great place to store heirlooms, books, or artwork that you want to keep safe.
5. Maximize Vertical Space
When dealing with storage in a small space, vertical is always the answer. Horizontal storage takes up more floor space and gives you less room to use the basement for your intended purposes. Stack as high as the ceiling using storage containers, cabinets, or cupboards. It makes another great labeling opportunity as it can be hidden discreetly.
6. Pegboard Walls
If you have empty, unused space on a wall, consider investing into pegboard walls. Pegboard walls require easy, quick installation and open up endless storage possibilities that allow things to be hung onto the wall. Store lesser-worn coats, hat collections, belts, or wall decor that you don’t find yourself using on an everyday basis.
7. Leave Room for Growth
No matter what method(s) you use for basement storage, you should always follow the golden rule of storage solutions. When packing spaces up, always try to leave 20-30% of free space to leave room for growth. You never know when you may get gifted a new Christmas ornament, inherit an heirloom, or find the perfect new Thanksgiving placemats. Leaving space leaves room for the surprises life throws at you and will prevent storage overflow. You may need to purge unused items yearly to keep this up, but your clutter-free basement will thank you for it.
No matter what space you’re trying to organize, optimizing storage and organization is the key to having a functional, comfortable place. Wall, vertical, or hidden storage is the best bet for the basement, since you usually have less area to work with. No matter what tips you use for basement storage, the end goal should always be the create a space that feels tranquil for you.
