Day 9: Organizing Your Basement and Attic
Whether your basement and/or attic is used as a functional room or just storage space, it is important to utilize these rooms to their fullest potential. Below are some combined tips perfect for both rooms to help keep them organized and tidy as we continue the 10 Days of Organization with Day 9: Organizing Your Basement and Attic!
Look at the big picture. You may not need everything you currently have in your basement or attic, but there is also nothing wrong with storing items either. With large projects such as these, assessing the clutter is the best way to get the ball rolling on an organization project. Get a mental idea of what can stay and what can go.
Toss VS. Keep, Donate or Sell. Decide what you would like to toss, donate, keep or sell. Put the items you would like to keep aside, away from the other items so they don’t get confused and come back to them later. Form 3 piles entitled toss, donate or sell.
Toss: This is in fact the easiest way to get rid of items you no longer need. Be sure to label the bag appropriately and keep it away from other piles.
Donate: You never know, donating items you no longer need or have use for, could help or change someone’s life. I never pressure anyone into donating anything, but with the natural disasters and economy the way it is, your donation could change a person or family’s life. Look into charities such as Big Brother and Big Sisters (who actually come to your home and pick up the items from you) as well as other charities, local shelters and religious venues who accept items. It is important to look into these places first as some organizations take very specific items.
Sell: There are tons of different ways to sell items you no longer need or have room for. Ebay and Amazon are 2 sites dedicated to just that. If you are not computer savvy or would just like to try an different approach, why not host a good old fashioned yard sale? With the beautiful weather on it’s way in and Winter (in the Unite States) on it’s way out, this would be a perfect way to sell your items on your own terms minus the selling fee’s of Ebay and Amazon!
One of my favorite up and coming website’s is called YardSaleAcademy.com. It’s the perfect go to guide for tips and how to’s for selling your own items, whether it’s at garage or yard sales or on Ebay!
Invest in the appropriate bins. If these rooms are used for storage, the last thing you need is to set and forget a box, just to come back to the box and have it completely crushed (true story, and he learned his lesson, lol). Invest in sturdy, crush proof bins that will keep your items safe and will last.
Label everything. This just makes it so much easier to get to items when you need them.
Utilize wall space. Hooks, racks and shelves are great ways to use up unused space.
Fun idea: Hang your photos and art on the wall instead of keeping them in boxes. If you have the space, why not hang your art and photos instead of keeping them in boxes where they have the chance to shatter or bend? This gives the rooms a pop of color and keeps your items from being damaged in boxes. If you have art or frames that you would like to keep stored, be sure to have them safely wrapped with bubble wrap, cardboard, tape, cloth and whatever else you feel is necessary to keep these items safe.
Optional: Spruce up the walls. Giving your basement and attic a fresh coat of paint can help these spaces look new again.
Trend alert: More and more people are remodeling their attic’s and turning them into extra bedrooms, home offices, “man caves”, master bathrooms and other functional rooms. If you are on the market to add a little something extra to your home, this unique trend is definitely worth looking into if you have the time, money and space.
Items worth investing in for your basement and/or attic:
Wall hooks and racks
No crush storage bins
A trunk
Shelving
Holiday storage
A no spill dehumidifier (no electricity needed)
A step stool
One of my all time favorite places to shop for all things organization is the Container Store’s Special Savings Clearance and Sale Items. (You’re sure to find a great deals here!)
Day 1: De-cluttering Your Devices
Day 2: Organizing Your Work Space
Day 3: Organizing Your Accessories
Day 4: Organizing Your Bedroom
Day 5: Organizing Your Kitchen
Day 6: Organizing Your Bathroom
Day 7: Organizing Your Paperwork
Day 8: Organizing Your Garage & Laundry Room
How do you keep you keep your basement and/or attic organized? Feel free to comment below. I would love to hear from you! Happy organizing!
My basement and garage are the worst
LOL!
We’re sitting through a spring snow storm right now discussing how to organize our life. I think I have my hubby convinced to try the 10 step process. Thanks! Attic and Garage will definitely test the system.
Oh no! That’s awful! I heard were getting snow tomorrow. Where is Spring?? LOL, if you do try any of the tips from the “10 Days”, let me know how it goes!!
Ooooo… I just love anything to do with organizing…planning… eating.. doing…all the good stuff in life and your site seems to cover much of it… love it! Thanks for stopping by my blog – much appreciated – especially as it brought me here!