A basement is that one part of a home that is more accessible than the attic (Last time I checked, no one likes going up a ladder). It’s a place that can be used to store up a lot of items from furniture and old newspapers to old toys and big heaps of family souvenirs and memorabilia.
When properly planned out, a basement can turn out to be the solution to the problem of space and storage in your home. All you need to do is to find the right strategy to prepare the space and utilize it well for maximum use.
A basement shouldn’t just be a place where you toss in just every other unwanted stuff, it should be a place that should be well-ventilated and spaced out enough for various uses, especially storage and relaxation.
Whatever function you want to use basements for, it is advisable that you use metal shelving and cabinets to protect your items from the dampness of the basement. Also, you should use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes to prevent the content from becoming hard and caked.
Here are some things that you should do when reorganizing your basement:
1. Make Good Use of Vertical Spaces
When you have to manage all the space you can get, it’s best to build up, not out. This is one mistake that most people make when planning a basement. Instead of occupying the floor, use the walls! However, you should not place any heavy object more than 5 feet high- you could get yourself injured when trying to bring them down.
You can also consider using hanging wires, racks for shoes, dungarees and work tools and equipment. Guess what, you can also have scenting candles that stand on metal surfaces that protrude out of the wall.
Also, don’t let the space beneath the staircase go to waste. If you have enough cash, having a built-in storage cabinet is an awesome way to make good space out of space.
2. Use Baskets
If you have a basement that doubles as a studio and play room, it is best to have a plastic storage basket that can slide in and out of. Also, you should tag all the baskets so you easily retrieve things without turning the room inside out once again.
Hanging baskets are also a cool option especially if you want to store a lot of tiny things and still add a little spice to the atmosphere.
3. Wheel in some Lockers!
Lockers are very great storage choices especially if you have clutters of stuff that you do not want to see at all.
Lockers can hold unused stuff like your winter collection of skates (take those out for oiling occasionally), winter gears, sporting gear including golf clubs and tennis racks. Just be sure to use only metal lockers for the same reason of dampness.
4. Utilize the Ceiling
You can save a lot of stuff from ground water by creating tracks in the ceiling with a flange system and simple frames. Put the things you intend to store in airtight containers and hang them in the flange system to make space out what could have been bare.
However, when using the ceiling you must be careful not to leave the end of sharp objects hanging down. This is to primarily avoid accidents.
5. Box Things Up
For me, boxes are next to lockers and baskets when storing off-season stuff. Just like I mentioned earlier, you have to ditch the cardboard boxes. Instead, you should go for airtight and waterproof bins to store your clothes in. Made of clear polypropylene, these bins provide clear see-through features that allow you know what you’re taking whenever you want to pick things from your archives. These bins also protect your things from mold, mildew, dust, and other worse conditions.
One good thing about these bins is that they can fit in just anywhere you put them. So, if you got a locker, just slot them into it (that looks like some big deal double protection stuff).
6. Map Out Your Plan Before Starting Constructions
After making up your mind to remodel your basement, the first thing to do is to test the way your plan relates with the space in place already. Mark out various spaces on the floor with tapes, then try to place actual things in the space. Then, look out for how the whole space responds to your plan.
You should answer questions like:
- Would I be able to descend from the staircase without bumping into things?
- Will the doorway be wide enough to move things in?
Your duty is to test out as many plans as possible and pick the most applicable one for the space.
7. Be Organized
This probably needs no repeat but as a reminder: staying organized is not just having airtight containers or buying waterproof lockers, it is grouping every part of the basement in a way such that you can find anything at a glance.
Conclusion
Whatever decision you make, you have to know that it can become reality only if you put on your dungarees and get to the basement working!