Storage Room Organization

Any storage space can get out of control and be chaotic quickly if you don’t have a system in place. This space tends to be a catch all space since it’s not seen often.   The storage area is a place where bins will come in handy.  The bins keep all the “like” stuff together, sorted, organized and under control!  Whether you are storing kids clothes to pass down to you next child, or seasonal, and holiday decorations, using bins will keep it all under control. 

 But first make a plan for your storage area.  Consider the amount of space you have, then decide what items will be stored here, then thinking about how much you own, and how much space there is, decide how many bins you can have for each category.  In my space, I knew I needed to store decorations for the various holidays that I decorate for.  Christmas decorations would likely take up the most space.  There was also fall decor, and spring and easter decorations to consider, but those didn’t take up nearly as much space as Christmas.  I also had luggage, and travel supplies that needed to be stored in this space, and then summer/outdoor porch and patio things, and pool stuff.  

Cluttered basement storage room

As you can see from the photo above, things were out of control even though the base system was still there.  I knew this meant it was time to reset/reorganize the storage room.  This meant I was going to have to get rid of some stuff.  This past year, I began noticing I had some decorations that I hadn’t set up during the holidays for the past few years.  This meant it was time to ask myself the difficult questions about which items were finally going to leave our house for good.  But I had to, first, decide WHY I was going through this process, and what my ultimate goal was.  The truth is, my ultimate goal was simply “No stuff on the floor”.  I wanted everything to have a home on the shelves, and in bins, and if that meant getting rid of more than so be it.  Maybe your goal is simply to be able to find the stuff you need, rather than wasting money on buying the same stuff again.  Identifying your goal will help you achieve storage room organization.

I started with holiday decorations.  I had 2 bins of fall and halloween decor.  I hadn’t decorated for Halloween specifically in several years so I chose to donate it ALL!!  Even though I still like it all, and think it’s some super cute stuff, I had to choose to let it all go since it hadn’t been used in years, and I don’t miss decorating with them either.  I would rather use the space for stuff I actually use over stuff that will just collect dust.  Then I used that now empty bin to store some of the fall stuff that just sat loose on the shelf and/or on top of the bins.  Then I moved onto Christmas because I knew there was stuff I could get rid of there even if it was going to be hard to decide.  I made my choices based on what I don’t actually use each year.  The items I knew I hadn’t used in years went immediately in the donate bin.  And I was able to consolidate like I did with the fall stuff.  Easter was consolidated as well.  Then I made a bin for the small things I set out during the miscellaneous holidays like Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day, as well as some extra candles that I like to swap out occasionally.  

There was a large bin, and large tote bag full of camping supplies, and a tent.  I haven’t been camping in 5 years, and I don’t really have a desire to go camping again.  So this was all easy stuff.  ALL of it goes in the donation pile!  But I kept the air mattresses because we do occasionally use them at home.  

Moving on, the luggage stayed put as we had recently used it and I knew it was all empty, and it’s perfect up on the top shelf, and other small miscellaneous travel supplies went in a bin, pillows and cushions for outside went in another, and yet another for faux greenery for seasonal decorating.  Finally, there are bins for pool toys and floats, and party decor and entertaining supplies.  

I successfully met my goal with nothing on the floor, and that gives me that sense of accomplishment.  

Organized basement storage room

This project took me 3 hours to complete, and I am good with that because I know that’s how I work best.  But I realize working for 3 hours on a single project is not do-able for everyone.  If you can only set aside 30 minutes then that’s fine, just work through the process, then set aside another 30 minutes for another day, and keeping doing that until you are finished.  It’s ok if it takes you a month to complete it.  I prefer to work longer 3 hour shifts because I know i will get it finished, and can move on.  I don’t like having an unfinished project lingering over my head causing me stress and worry over finishing it.  It’s more about knowing what will work best for you.