5 Quick and Easy Ideas for Organizing Your Basement

Utilizing your basement as a storage area can be difficult as the space can quickly become cluttered and unorganized. You can make the storage more efficient by creating organized systems for your items.

Storage Bin Organizer

While plastic storage bins are great for holding your stuff, when they pile up, it becomes difficult to get the bottom bin without moving the rest in the stack. To solve this problem, create a bin organizer that will give easy access to all of them.

You will need 76 feet of 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe, four cross connectors, 12 T-connectors, and eight Y-fittings to build a system for six storage bins.

Step 1 – Cut PVC

Use a hacksaw to cut 38 sections of pipe that are 24 inches in length.

Step 2 – Construct the Base

First, lay a section of pipe vertically on your working surface, and attach a Y-fitting to either end. Attach another pipe horizontally from the other end of each Y-fitting. Next, you’ll want to fix a T-fitting to each horizontal pipe you’ve just added. Secure another pipe to the open slots in each T-fitting, and continue by adding a second T-fitting to the pipes. Finally, put a Y-fitting at the end, and vertically connect these Y-fittings with pipes to finish the base structure.

Step 3 – Connect the Second Layer

Attach eight of the cut pipes upward from the fittings on your base, and put T-fittings on either end. Affix cross fittings in the center, and connect all of the fittings with pipes. This will complete the second layer.

Step 4 – Repeat to Create Final Layer

Follow steps two and tree again to build the system up one more layer. Securely fasten this organizer by using a small rubber mallet to tap the fittings onto the pipes. There is no need to glue or cement the pipes—the connectors will stick together on their own. All in all, this should provide you with enough space for six storage bins.

Rafter Rods

Attach two loop hangers from one of your rafters, leaving enough room between the rafter and the loop to place hangers. Run a metal shower rod through the loops, and place your hangers over the rod. Use the hangers for seasonal clothing or for closet organizers with pockets.

Rafter Shelves

Use screws and a screwdriver to attach 1x8-inch boards across some of your rafters to create a shelf. Place boxed items over the boards to keep them off the ground and free up floor space. Be sure that the items in the boxes are not too heavy for the shelving and that they will be able to withstand any excess heat from warm air that will rise and settle there.

Cord Tamers

Use cardboard tubes to tame your cords in the basement. Before you place the cords inside, you can cover the tubes with paper to color-code them for easy identification.

Wind your loose cords and slide one end of the bunch into the tube, pushing it through the other end. Use a basket or box to keep them together and contained.

Crafting Board

Craft activities typically require a number of small materials. You can organize your craft supplies using a simple pegboard and some hooks. Hang tools like scissors on their own individual hooks. Try running dowels across two hooks for hanging rolls of materials. You can also attach heavy duty paper clips to cans and hang them on hooks for storing pens and other small things. File down the edges of the can so that you don't scrape your hand on them. Pegboards offer a lot of versatile storage solutions.

Build an Enzo Mari style shelf for stylish storage.