The Ultimate Guide To Decluttering Your Basement

Your basement is a valuable space that can be used for storage, recreation, or any number of other things.

But if you’ve been storing items in your basement for too long and don’t have time to organize them all, there’s no doubt that it will feel overwhelming and difficult to imagine ever using the space again.

Luckily, we’re here to help! Here are some tips for decluttering your basement in order to make the most of its potential:

Basement Declutter: MESSY to ORGANIZED (sustainable)

Takeaways
1. Decluttering your basement can make it a more functional and enjoyable space.
2. Good storage solutions are key to keeping a clutter-free basement.
3. It’s important to sort your items into categories and purge what you no longer need.
4. Labeling your storage containers can save time and make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
5. Keeping your basement organized requires ongoing maintenance and commitment.

Table of Contents

Make Room For High-Value Items

High-value items are things you use often, need to access easily, and want to see regularly. That could mean anything from your go-to bookshelf worth displaying or the TV that’s always on in the background of your life.

This is your opportunity to reposition those special objects so they’re front and center and make sure they’re in a place where you can enjoy them without having to hunt around or shuffle through piles of clutter first.

If you’re living in a small apartment, maximizing your storage space is key. Fortunately, there are plenty of creative solutions to help you organize your space and keep it clutter-free. From using wall-mounted shelves to utilizing under-bed storage containers, our guide on Maximizing Storage in Small Spaces can show you how to make the most of your limited space.

Get Rid Of Kid Clutter

You’ve got a lot of stuff. There’s no getting around it. But even though you may feel like your house is bursting at the seams, there are probably some items in your basement that are taking up space that could be put to better use elsewhere.

Your kid’s old toys and clothes, for example? Maybe someone else could get good use out of those things!

If you have kids (or know someone who does), here are some ideas on how to declutter their clutter:

Donate old toys: Kids grow up so fast these days! Before you know it, your little one will be too big for all his or her favorite toys – and at that point, they’re probably not going to want them back anyway!

Instead of holding on to them for sentimental value only to watch them collect dust down in the basement storage room, consider donating any outdated toys at an organization such as Toys For Tots or other charities that accept used children’s items (and don’t forget about baby gear too!).

You could even see if they have any wish lists set up — those can come in handy when deciding whether or not something should stay with family members instead of being donated altogether.”

Your basement doesn’t have to be a cluttered wasteland of forgotten items and old furniture. With a little organization and smart storage solutions, you can turn your basement into a functional and organized space. Check out our guide on Creating a Functional and Organized Basement Space for tips on how to declutter, organize, and make the most of your basement.

Maximize Your Space With Shelves And Racks

The best way to maximize your basement storage space is by using a variety of shelving options. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on custom-made shelving, though you can find inexpensive and effective solutions at home improvement stores and online.

For example, you can use metal floor standing pegboard panels for small items like tools and craft supplies.

Plastic or metal wall-mounted cabinets are also great for storing large or heavy items like books and sports equipment, as are plastic crates with lids that you can stack on top of each other for easy access.

If there’s not enough room in your basement for floor-to-ceiling shelves, consider adding some additional storage with wall hooks (like these from Amazon) instead!

Once you’ve figured out what type of storage system works best for your needs, be sure that it will fit in the space with which you’re working; if necessary measure twice before cutting any woodwork so everything lines up perfectly once installed!

And don’t forget: labeling all those boxes/bags/shelves helps keep everything organized so nothing gets lost underneath piles of clutter…and mom won’t kill us because we forgot where she put her favorite salt shaker collection again.

Product Name	Type of Shelving	Dimensions	Weight Capacity	Price
AmazonBasics 4-Shelf Shelving Unit	Freestanding	36 x 14 x 54 inches	1400 pounds total, 350 pounds per shelf	$55.63
ClosetMaid ShelfTrack Adjustable Closet Organizer Kit	Wall-mounted	Multiple sizes available	Varies based on configuration	$118.29
Gladiator 24-in D x 77-in W x 72-in H 4-Tier Steel Freestanding Shelving Unit	Freestanding	72 x 77 x 24 inches	2400 pounds total, 600 pounds per shelf	$219.99
Rubbermaid Deluxe Closet Organizer	Wall-mounted	96 x 12 inches	Up to 75 pounds per linear foot	$118.08
Flow Wall 14-Piece Dream Garage Cabinet System	Wall-mounted	Varies based on configuration	Varies based on configuration	$2259.99

Maximizing your basement storage space can be done economically by utilizing appropriate shelves and racks. The table above provides an overview of recommended shelving and racks that can help you get the most out of your basement space. The AmazonBasics 4-Shelf Shelving Unit is an affordable option for those needing to store boxes or heavier items.

The ClosetMaid ShelfTrack Adjustable Closet Organizer Kit allows for a more flexible storage option. The Gladiator 24-in D x 77-in W x 72-in H 4-Tier Steel Freestanding Shelving Unit is ideal for bigger items and the Rubbermaid Deluxe Closet Organizer is great for smaller items.

The Flow Wall 14-Piece Dream Garage Cabinet System is a more elaborate and customizable option for those looking to fully maximize their basement storage space.

Recycle Old Electronics and Appliances.

If you’re looking to get rid of old electronics and appliances, there are several ways to do so. The best option depends on your needs.

Donate to charity: If you’re not sure where to donate your stuff, check out this list of charities that accept donations in your area (or even nationwide). You can also find local organizations by searching online—or just call up some charities nearby, give them a quick phone call, and ask if they can use the goods in their care.

Recycle at a recycling center: Many cities have recycling centers (also called “drop-off sites”) where residents can drop off items for free or at reduced rates.

For example, this site lists San Francisco’s many locations where people can bring things like tires or batteries for recycling during normal business hours; just click on any location’s name for more details about what types of items it accepts and which days/hours it’s open for drop-offs.

Donate or sell items directly: You may be able to make some extra cash by selling unneeded items directly through an online market like Craigslist or eBay (although there are many risks associated with doing this).

Of course, you could also give away unwanted items directly by asking friends and family members if they want them; if they don’t want them either, consider donating these things instead!

Does your garage feel like a black hole where things disappear and never return? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many homeowners struggle with finding ways to maximize their garage storage space. Fortunately, our guide on Maximizing Storage in Your Garage can show you some simple hacks and clever tips for getting your garage organized and clutter-free.

Get Creative With Storage Ideas.

Do you have a lot of stuff? Then you might feel like your basement is the last place anyone wants to visit. But with some creativity and a little bit of space, even the most overstuffed basement can be transformed into a cozy retreat where friends and family will want to hang out all the time! Here are some ideas for storing everything from toys to laundry:

Loft Bed (or Bunk Bed)
Pull-Out Bed
Murphy Bed

Ladder (for hanging clothes)
Wall Mounted Desk
Floating Shelf

Hanging Closet Organizer * Closet Organizer (with rods)

Have A Garage Sale!

Before you start pricing and selling items, make sure you have the necessary permits. Some cities require vendors to obtain a permit before holding a garage sale on public property. Contact your city’s government office for more information.

If you are going to be selling things out of your garage, try to find a location that is convenient for both customers and yourself.

If possible, set up in front of your home so that people can easily access the driveway entrance or public street (if permitted).

If this isn’t an option for whatever reason, choose another location within walking distance from homes in your neighborhood make sure it has plenty of space so it doesn’t get too crowded!

Since you want as many people as possible at your garage sale, advertise it well! Flyers with pictures of all items available will help draw in potential buyers who might not otherwise know about it put these flyers up around town two weeks prior so everyone has time to plan their visit on one weekend morning or afternoon (depending on how busy traffic gets).

Put signs up along major roadways leading into town/neighborhoods; email friends/family members who live nearby; post an ad on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace; talk about it at PTA meetings or other community events if there are any…there are lots of ways!

A cluttered closet can be a source of stress and frustration, but with the right tools and tips, you can easily turn your closet into an organized oasis. From purging old clothes to using space-saving hangers, our guide on The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Closet can help you take control of your wardrobe and create a space that sparks joy.

De-clutter By Season

To declutter, you’ll need to categorize your basement by season. This is an easy way to organize the space and determine what needs to be done there.

Winter: If you have a basement that’s currently in use for cold-weather storage, this is where all of your winter gear should go. That includes everything from skis and sleds to blankets and snow boots. It’s also a great place for kids’ sleds as well as Christmas tree decorations once December rolls around each year!

Spring: If you’re not using your basement during springtime, then it’s probably best used for general storage basically anything that doesn’t fit into any other category from above but isn’t going anywhere anytime soon (or ever).

This might include extra Halloween costumes or holiday decor items like wreaths or garlands hanging on hooks along the wall near the stairs leading up into the house. This can also be where seasonal clothing goes if there isn’t room upstairs in closets or dressers; just make sure everything stays organized!

Summer: The third category refers specifically only summertime activities such as camping trips and beach visits; therefore anything related should go here since these items won’t fit anywhere else!!

Season	Items to Sort	Action to Take
Spring	Gardening tools, outdoor sports equipment, spring clothing	Clean, repair, and donate or store
Summer	Beach gear, camping equipment, summer clothing	Clean, repair, and donate or store
Fall	Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations, leaf rakes and blowers, winter clothing	Clean, repair, and donate or store
Winter	Christmas decorations, snow shovels and salt, winter sports gear	Clean, repair, and donate or store

Categorizing your basement by season is an effective way to declutter and organize the space. The table above provides an example of how you can categorize your items by season and the actions you can take with each category.

For example, in the spring, you can sort through your gardening tools, outdoor sports equipment, and spring clothing, clean and repair anything that needs it, and then either donate or store the items you plan to keep.

Similarly, in the summer, you can sort through your beach gear, camping equipment, and summer clothing, and take the same action. By categorizing your items by season, you can focus your decluttering efforts and make the process more manageable.

Clean Up Before You Start Packing.

Of course, before you can start packing, you need to declutter. Cleaning up the basement is the first step to making any room functional or at least tolerable.

If your basement is anything like many we’ve seen, it’s probably filled with junk and clutter that have been accumulating for years.

This will make it very difficult to find stuff later on when you want to use it or store something else in there. So before you begin sorting through everything, take some time to get rid of all those old boxes full of unimportant items that no longer serve a purpose in your home.

Once you’ve cleaned up the space and gotten rid of things that are no longer needed or wanted (like clothes from high school), now it’s time organize what remains so that everything has its own place where it belongs and doesn’t get lost in piles on top of piles! It’s also helpful if there’s an easy way for anyone who visits your house or helps clean up after parties know where everything goes so they don’t accidentally throw away important documents by mistake – this happens more often then people think!

Organizing your kitchen cabinets can be a daunting task, but with a few simple tips and tricks, you can transform your kitchen from chaotic to calm. Our Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Kitchen Cabinets is packed with advice on how to declutter your cabinets, maximize your storage space, and create a more functional kitchen layout that supports your lifestyle.

Organize Everything Into Totes And Boxes.

Now that you have a few items in bins, it’s time to get them organized. Totes and boxes are your best friends here.

If you plan to sell the items, use boxes. This will help make sure the buyer knows what’s inside and is able to inspect it easily.

If you plan on donating the items, use totes instead of boxes they’re easier for organizations like Goodwill or Salvation Army charities when they go through their sorting process.

For stuff that you plan on keeping but don’t know where else should go yet (like seasonal decorations), use totes! You’ll be able to store them until December rolls around again and then put everything away until next year.

If something doesn’t fit in a bin or a box (such as extra large sporting equipment or holiday decorations), then toss those into a dedicated area of your basement with those types of things only so you can find them later without any problems at all!

Donate Items You No Longer Need Or Want

Now it’s time to donate those items. Make sure they’re in good condition, and that they can be used by someone else.

If you don’t like the idea of donating your stuff, think about how much better it feels to get rid of something than keep it around for no reason at all.

You can also sell items on eBay or Craigslist if you want to make a little money off them too!

Charity Name	Type of Items Accepted	Accepts Furniture?	Accepts Clothing?
Goodwill	Clothing, shoes, household goods, electronics, books, and more	Yes	Yes
Salvation Army	Clothing, household goods, furniture, and vehicles	Yes	Yes
Habitat for Humanity Restore	Furniture, appliances, building materials, and more	Yes	No
Dress for Success	Professional women’s clothing and accessories	No	Yes
Soles4Souls	Gently worn shoes	No	Yes

Donating items you no longer need or want is a great way to give back to your community and reduce waste. The table above provides a list of recommended charities and the types of items they accept, as well as whether they accept furniture or clothing.

Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept a wide range of items, while the Habitat for Humanity Restore focuses on furniture and building materials. Dress for Success is specifically designed to help women enter and succeed in the workforce, while Soles4Souls accepts gently worn shoes to distribute to those in need.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You now have the tools to make your basement a more organized and functional space. If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: don’t be afraid to get creative with how you organize your clutter.

There are tons of ways to declutter and organize your basement, and if one method doesn’t work for you there are plenty more that can!

FAQs

How can I get started with decluttering my home?

The best way to get started with decluttering your home is to start small. Pick one area to focus on, such as a closet or a desk, and declutter that space before moving on to another area. It can also be helpful to break the task down into smaller steps, such as setting aside a specific amount of time each day or working on one category of items at a time.

How can I decide what to keep and what to get rid of?

When deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, it can be helpful to ask yourself if an item is useful or brings you joy. If an item doesn’t serve a purpose or doesn’t make you happy, it’s probably time to let it go. You might also consider whether you’ve used the item recently or if it holds sentimental value.

What should I do with items that I no longer want or need?

There are a number of options for getting rid of items that you no longer want or need, such as donating them to a local charity, selling them online or at a garage sale, or simply throwing them away. Consider the best option for each item based on its condition and value.

How can I maintain a clutter-free home?

Maintaining a clutter-free home requires ongoing effort and commitment. It can be helpful to establish routines for cleaning and organizing, such as putting items away immediately after use or spending a few minutes each day decluttering. It’s also important to avoid bringing unnecessary items into your home and to regularly re-evaluate what you already have.

How do I deal with sentimental items?

Dealing with sentimental items can be challenging, as these items often hold emotional value that makes them difficult to part with. When decluttering sentimental items, it can be helpful to choose a few key items to keep and display, while finding creative ways to repurpose or donate others. You might also consider taking photos of sentimental items as a way to preserve the memory without holding onto the physical item.

Hellen James

Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.