Tips for Efficient Basement Organization

Sep 1

Ready to turn that cluttered basement into a space you’ll actually enjoy? Basements often become catch-all zones—places where random items go to live when they don’t seem to fit anywhere else. But with a bit of creativity and a game plan, your basement can be more than just a storage cave. It can be a functional, inviting space that adds real value to your home. Here’s how to make that happen:

Declutter and Sort

Kick things off with a good old-fashioned purge! Go through everything down there and let go of what you don’t need. Whether you donate, sell, or toss items, freeing up space is the first step. Then, sort what’s left by category—think tools, holiday decorations, sports gear, etc. Group similar items together and designate specific storage areas for each type. This makes finding things later a breeze.

Utilize Vertical Space

If you’re not using your walls, you’re missing out! Install shelves to take advantage of all that vertical real estate. Here are some of our top picks:

Home Depot Shelving: We love this sturdy option with wheels for easy movement. Pro tip: It’s best to have two people assemble it.Check it out here.
HDX Plastic Shelving: This lightweight, easy-to-install option is perfect for solo projects. Here’s the link.
IKEA Boaxel Shelves: Affordable, stylish, and super functional. What’s not to love? Get yours here.
Elfa by The Container Store: A bit of a splurge, but the versatility is unmatched.See it here.

Create Designated Zones

Break your basement into distinct zones tailored to your needs. Whether it’s a cozy home office, a workshop, or a playroom for the kids, dividing the space will help it feel more organized. Keep items that are used together in the same area—this will make your space more efficient and save you from the endless search for that one missing item.

By following these steps, you can transform your basement from a cluttered catch-all into a space you’ll love spending time in. Declutter, maximize that vertical space, and create zones that make sense for your lifestyle—it’s a winning formula!

Mudroom Set Up for Success

A mudroom is a dedicated space intended to accommodate our active lifestyles while creating a flexible system that will start and end the day with order. These high-traffic spaces have the greatest potential to keep our lives on track, simplified and safe.

How Many Toys Do Kids Really Need?

Parenting in a world full of excess often contradicts our best intentions to provide and connect with our kids. Why? Because it’s big business and they know how to hit one of our deepest trigger points — inadequacy. They plant the seed of doubt that we’re not doing enough and the roots grow instantly. They know the pressures we face and the comparison games we play. There’s a bigger conversation to be had about aligning our values with our consumer habits, but here are some starting points to restore order.

Less is More. What does that mean?

My clients often contact me because they have a desire to restore simplicity within their lives. The actions to achieve this are not complicated, but they have been disguised by design. The system benefits from promoting a comparison-driven society that idolizes consumerism and busyness.

Junk Drawer Organization

We all know them, we all have them and we all struggle with how to organize them — the inevitable ‘junk’ drawer. Things that belong nowhere and everywhere at the same time. These are items that need to be easily accessible: pens, gum, gift cards, stamps or an extra charger but do not necessarily warrant their own designated space.

Edit. Organize. Repeat

Ever wonder where to start? Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to tackle the clutter? Let me share a little secret, step one is not going to The Container Store.

Decluttering Your Space in 15 Minutes

Decluttering is all about the edit. The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) found that 80% of items we keep are never used. This may sound like a daunting statistic, but use it as confirmation that it’s ok to let go! It’s important to set realistic expectations when it comes to the editing process. If peace is what we want, we must remove the excess. If we’re seeking connection, balance and more free time, we must get clear on what serves us and what doesn’t.

When Clutter Goes Too Far

Clutter is often the physical manifestation of an underlying problem within ourselves. Despite our best efforts, it’s unrealistic to assume that we’ll never buy anything new after we make the decision to declutter. This is why it’s so critical to establish healthy consumer habits. It’s easy to maintain order when we become intentional about purchases and create a concrete organizational system that works for our lifestyle.

Sarah Parisi https://TheClutterCurator.com

Tips for Efficient Basement Organization

Declutter and Sort

Utilize Vertical Space

Create Designated Zones

The most organized thing in your inbox.

let’s work together

let’s connect

Tips for Efficient Basement Organization

Declutter and Sort

Utilize Vertical Space

Create Designated Zones

Organizing Hacks for Apartment Dwellers

Creating a Productive Home Office

The most organized thing in your inbox.

let’s work together

let’s connect