Updated on Sep. 22, 2024
Say goodbye to messy basements and hello to storage solutions! Make the most of your space with these smart basement organization ideas.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
A finished basement can be both a blessing and a curse. There’s a lot of potential for extra storage and living space, but because it’s out of sight and out of mind, the area can also become a dumping ground that turns into a chaotic mess. The key is to implement the right basement organization ideas that maximize the space you already have.
Every organization project starts with a good purge. Donate or trash any items you can get rid of, then take an inventory of what remains. Now comes the fun part—shopping for new organization solutions! We’ve chosen our favorite basement organization products that keep your belongings tidy, and help you transform forgotten space into functional and attractive storage.
via merchant
A basement needs shelves, especially if you have a lot of items to store. The benefit to freestanding shelves is you can rearrange them as needed, and you don’t have to worry about heavy loads damaging your walls. This Style Selections Shelving Unit is made of strong steel, has a weight capacity of 350 pounds on each shelf, and is one of our favorite basement organization ideas.
Although the look is more functional than stylish, it comes in four different finishes. Paired with the right containers, these shelves will have your basement storage room looking beautifully organized in no time.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
These clear containers are the only basement bins you’ll ever need! They come in nine different sizes, and they’re stackable. You can organize them into tidy rows even when combining different sizes. They also feature a foam barrier that provides an air and watertight seal, which eliminates excess moisture from reaching the contents of your tote.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
The basement is often a go-to place to store holiday decorations and gift wrapping supplies. The Elfa Utility Over the Door Rack keeps all of your gift wrapping essentials accessible and organized, without taking up any shelf space.
This rack includes various baskets, hooks and a pegboard system. No more wasting time searching for ribbon, tape, scissors and gift tags—they’ll all be in one convenient location when you need them!
Pros
Cons
via merchant
For a basement playroom, you want toy storage that’s easy for kids to use, yet stylish enough to have out on display. This multi-purpose cabinet checks all the boxes with ease. The low height of the toy organizer keeps it within reach for little ones, and the sleek design looks luxurious.
We’re also fans of the organizer’s sturdy construction. These bins won’t fall apart like flimsy fabric versions. Each bin has four casters, which makes it easy for kids to roll them out to play and then back into place when it’s clean-up time.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
This wall-mounted hook system is perfect for holding both cleaning tools and yard work supplies. Basement organization ideas that clear up floor space are always welcome, and this one keeps household essentials separated and visible, so you can quickly grab what you need.
This kit comes with two organizers: hang them next to each other or use them in two different basement areas. Plus, the organizer is made of high-grade stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant, moisture-proof and waterproof. If you live in a tropical climate, this product is a natural choice for humid basements.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
The Stair Step Basket is the organizing solution you never knew you needed. When stray items inevitably end up in the basement, you can now easily gather them in one space without running up and down the stairs.
As you clean the basement, throw anything that needs to go upstairs in the basket. When the basket is full, carry it up to the main floor and put items back in their homes. This is such a simple storage solution that makes a big difference for the entire family.
Pros
Cons
via merchant
Although open storage allows for easy access to your things, sometimes you want items hidden away for a cleaner look. This storage cabinet has a modern, streamlined design that seamlessly blends in with any finished basement (or one currently being remodeled).
Inside you’ll find six cubby shelves and a larger compartment on top. The cabinet itself is 6 feet tall and 14 inches deep, which makes for a lot of storage space. Luckily, it’s still short enough to fit nicely in a basement with a low ceiling, so don’t stress out if your ceilings aren’t particularly tall.
Pros
Cons
The first thing to consider is what you plan to store in your basement. Will it mainly be items you don’t need often, like holiday decorations and extra canned food? Or do you need to organize everyday items in a basement toy room or a family media center? Long-term storage will be more functional than stylish, but when organizing a living space, you’ll want storage solutions to blend well with the rest of your décor.
Either way, you’ll need to consider the size and shape of the basement itself. Do you have room for freestanding shelves or is there unused wall space you can utilize? Measure each location before shopping for organization products to ensure you get the right fit the first time. Answer these simple questions to find out your organizing style.
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
To maximize storage in small spaces, think vertically. Use the walls, doors and even the ceiling to create organizational systems that don’t take up much space, but have a ton of storage potential.
The first step for any basement organization project is to purge! People often make the mistake of thinking they need more shelves or bins, when what they really need is to edit their belongings.
Review everything you’re storing in the basement and be honest about what you no longer use or need. A good tip is to make a trash, donate and keep pile to ensure everything stays organized as you make decisions.
