24 Smart Basement Storage Ideas for an Insanely Organized Space
Make that subterranean afterthought one of the most practical rooms in the house.
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Is your unfinished basement starting to look like something out of a hoarders show, with maze-like arrangements of forgotten boxes and nearly never-used sporting equipment? Or perhaps you’re lucky enough to have a finished basement but haven’t done the hard work of maximizing storage and making it feel cohesive with the rest of your home (what color is that carpet, anyway?). We’re sure we don’t need to tell you that a proper renovation can not only whip that space into shape but also increase the property value of your home. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or money to finance a structural overhaul of what can sometimes be one of the biggest (and most complicated) home improvement projects in the house.
Short of a major revamp, there are plenty of storage ideas and helpful products that can help turn a dank, cavernous basement into the ideal version of itself no matter what level of finish you’re dealing with. Built-in cabinetry is the gold standard when it comes to creating extra storage space that is both practical and aesthetically seamless, but you can also use baskets and bins to hide away unsightly clutter and transform your basement into the picture of stylish organization. Then there are the nice-to-have ideas, like an under-the-stairs wet bar or office area. Whether you’re looking to manage mountains of clutter or just need a place to start, these inspirational storage ideas are guaranteed to reinvent any basement in no time.
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Box It Up
We get that you may use your basement as an off-season storage closet. Ditch the cardboard boxes and make life easier by packing away clothes in airtight, waterproof bins. Made of clear polypropylene, they allow you to see what you need when you need it while keeping your stuff free from mildew, mold, or worse.
BUY NOW Clear Weathertight Totes, $11
Get Organized with Pegboard
Behold, the power of the pegboard, which allows you to get creative with your organizational prowess while displaying tools, crafts, or other frequently used items in beautiful and practical ways. Add variation with baskets and bowls or vessels, as seen in a home workshop from The Design Files.
Build Out a Media Center
Going for a full-on renovation? Consider adding a living room area with an entertainment center, like this one by Studio McGee, to your checklist. Because basements are often unfinished and not yet drywalled, you can run audio/visual equipment for less than you'd expect, then add seamless built-in storage around it.
Consider Built-in Compartments
If a seamless storage option is what you're looking for, take note of this whitewashed space designed by Darryl Carter. It features several compartments disguised as paneling to host crafts, games, and more.
Clear the Clutter
Use lidded baskets to corral small toys in a basement playroom or to hide unsightly electronic cords and accessories that you can't bear to part with. These Serena & Lily catch-alls are both functional and beautiful thanks to a beachy blue motif.
BUY NOW La Jolla Basket, $88
Make Your Walls Work Harder
Want to add storage space but don't have a built-in budget? Versatile bookshelves like this four-tower wall unit provide plenty of opportunities to stack books, fill baskets, or showcase sculpture-like vessels and art pieces.
BUY NOW Aubrey 4-Piece Bookcase Set, $1,796
Maximize Your Footprint
Basements are notorious for having unusual architectural spaces and asymmetrical footprints. Turn an awkward nook off the main area into a highly functional closet sealed off by efficient barn doors instead of traditional hinged doors, as Kierste Wade of Old Salt Farm did, or consider shaving a few feet off a larger room to create a private space to conceal clutter and other knick knacks.
Install a Coat Rack
Walk-out basements get an extra dose of utility when you opt for a wall-mounted coat rack near the door to keep outwear and other cold-weather gear in reach. Pair it with a bench with drawers or a shelf built into the undercarriage to maximize space.
BUY NOWAsymmetrical Wall Rack, $35
Raise the Bar
If you have the space and budget for more ambitious projects, consider installing a wet bar with drawers and cabinetry to manage glassware overflow and create a low-key entertainment area for casual gatherings.
Go Big With a Wine Cellar
Or if you're really into wine and don't have enough storage space in your kitchen for an extensive collection, create a wine cellar in your basement. This minimalist one by Studio Griffiths is set up like a grid and has a matte black backdrop.
Don't Get Backed Into a Corner
Make those awkward spaces work for you with a convenient corner shelving unit, then use a combination of baskets and boxes to keep everything where it should be.
Designate a Space for Chores
If you're one of those people who dreads going down to the basement to do the wash, rethink your workspace. This laundry room designed by Urban Grace Interiors has enough cabinet space to keep everything at arm's length, allowing you to free up real estate elsewhere in your home.
Contain Everything
Finished-basement owners, take note: A stylish ottoman with a hidden compartment like this one helps visually tie your basement to the rest of your home without sacrificing valuable storage space in a subterranean seating area.
BUY NOWMod Storage Bench, $549
Add Floating Shelves
Easy-to-install floating shelves can turn an unfinished basement seating area into the most welcoming spot in the house, plus they help keep books and other souvenirs and mementos in their place.
BUY NOW LACK Shelf, $30
Turn the Walls Into Book Storage
Where better to store your books than in a cozy corner of your basement that you've turned into the most intimate home library? Add a daybed or cushions to a nook and carve out wall space for all of your favorite reads, as Ellen Niven did here in her Long Island home.
Repurpose a Shoe Organizer
The pockets in a classic over-door shoe organizer are just the right size for everything from loose paintbrushes and gardening tools to cleaning supplies and spare assembly parts, so you can free up drawers and cabinetry for more important items.
BUY NOW Eco-Fabric Over the Door Shoe Bag, $20
Make Every Square Foot Count
Don't let precious space go to waste, starting with the dead area underneath your stairs. Blogger Carrie Nenonen turned hers into a cute office nook, but it can just as easily become your next cocktail bar, kids' play closet, or craft corner.
Add a Simple Chest
If the stairs down to your basement leave an empty wall space, add a simple chest with drawers for storing anything from games to special silverware sets. Look to this entryway by designer Jae Joo for inspiration.
Opt for Closed Shelving
If you prefer to keep your belongings behind closed doors, this peekaboo shelving is right up your alley. Install them on the wall above a desk area for discreet storage, or hang them just below the ceiling to make use of all the available wall space in a smaller room.
BUY NOW Hide N' Seek Storage Shelf, $129
Use Vertical Storage
You can get bulky recreational gear in order no matter how small your space is. Install a wall-mounted bike rack in a closet or hidden corner to make use of vertical real estate, thereby exponentially adding to your overall storage space.
BUY NOW Bike Fixation Indoor Vertical Bike Mount, $52
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