Home Organizing Basement Organizing Checklist Create a safe and uncluttered storage space in your basement by following these easy steps. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 18, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Papercut Assess the clutter.Start by creating three categories: keep, donate, and toss. As you work your way through the items in the basement, assign each one to a category. If you rarely use a piece, it's probably a good candidate to donate or toss.Donate or toss.Contact local charities and arrange for a pickup of items to donate; put the toss items out with the trash or recycling.Edit the belongings you're keeping.Separate the keep pile into new categories, such as books, sporting goods, etc. Assign each category a location: Books should be stowed in a plastic storage box placed on a high shelf (or in a corner of the attic); sporting equipment might be sent to a bin in the garage.Label items.Give anything that's not plainly identifiable a clear label. (Tuck a permanent marker and blue painter's tape in a zippered plastic sandwich bag and have the kit handy for labeling anything and everything.)Choose the right shelving.Shelves are critical in the basement, since you'll need to keep your valuables safe from flooding. Consider installing metal shelving: It's affordable and easy to assemble, and it withstands heat and humidity better than wood.Pick plastic storage boxes.Cardboard boxes, no matter how strong, bend and dent with frequent use—and they're not much protection from dampness. Instead, choose sturdy plastic containers, which shield their contents better, seal tighter, and are easy to carry or move around on shelves (as long as they aren't too big).Hang items to save space.Use hooks and pegs to create order out of disorder. Consider hanging such items as fire extinguishers, tools, and work gloves. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit