Basements can be more than just a raw space.
For some people, the basement is an afterthought, serving as a dumping area for broken appliances, out-of-season sports equipment, holiday decorations and unwieldy items. Organizing an unfinished basement makes it more suitable for storage, because you can quickly and easily access the pieces you use more frequently. Before beginning a basement storage project, determine how much of the space you want to devote to storage and how much you require for other purposes such as a laundry area. Larger basement projects may require consulting with city officials to ensure you do everything to code. Does this Spark an idea?
Basement Dead Space Storage
Dead space or negative space abounds in basements. Posts, pipes, water heaters, laundry sinks, stairwells and roof beams make storing larger objects more challenging. Take advantage of your basement's awkward spots by using modular, flexible storage. Lidded baskets have more flexibility than wood or metal shelves and can tuck under stairwells, stack on corner shelves or stand alone under windows. Low rolling carts allow you to move your storage to the side. Modular shelving means you can attach more shelves or niches in long vertical spaces and less in tight areas. Before tucking in storage near pipes or water heaters, check that the area is free of moisture and leaks.
Basement Corner Storage
Fight the tendency to dump large items in the center of your unfinished basement. Instead, devote a corner of your basement to closet-like storage. Install large eye hooks to the ceiling or nearby posts. String two lengths of clothesline through the eye hooks and knot it tightly. Hang painter's canvas or a sheet over the clothesline to block off the storage. Inside the closet, use well-anchored shelves as dividers. Make sure the shelves are deep enough to hold large boxes or objects.
Basement Wall Storage
If your basement has uninterrupted wall space, then wall storage can work wonders for organizing the space. Remember, however, that shelves need not hug the walls. Some shelves may come out at an angle, perpendicular to the wall, as long as the shelf is well-anchored, with heavier items on the bottom shelf. Vary your wall storage to meet your specific needs. Some people prefer shelves with backing to reduce the amount of dust that collects. Others prefer open shelves that have more space and flexibility for storing large and oddly shaped items. For combination wall storage and display, cover basement walls with plywood or pegboard, and paint it a bright color. Then you can attach posters, lightweight artwork or small objects with tacks, nails or hooks.
Tags: wall storage, your basement, have more, pipes water, pipes water heaters
