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The Basement |
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Organizing your basement doesn’t have to be an
overwhelming job. Just follow these few simple steps
and you’re on your way! If you don’t have a
basement, consider organizing your attic space so
you can find what you need when you need it.
First, go through and find that which is obviously
garbage and throw it away. Don’t think twice about
it—garbage is garbage, no matter how long you keep
it.
Look around for a large space on the basement floor.
Put down two large flat sheets and use one sheet for
stuff that you love and need to keep (i.e.,
Christmas decorations are a great example), one
sheet is for stuff you’ve kept and haven’t used in
who-knows-how-long. Once all of the things in your
basement are on those two sheets, we’ll move on.
Take all of the things on the “pitch sheet” and box
them up. Either put them out for the garbage
collection, have a yard sale, or donate them to a
charity. Now go back and look at your “keep sheet.”
Your “keep sheet” should have things that are used
periodically, such as Christmas decorations, or
things that are used frequently but only in the
basement. For things that are used often, keep them
handy (such as at a workbench) and make sure they
are neatly hung up or put in drawers. For things
that are used periodically, put them in re-usable
boxes or storage tubs. Then make sure the boxes or
tubs are well-labeled so you can find the things
when you need them.
Now with the things that you have in boxes or tubs,
you should elevate them a few inches off the
basement floor, just in case of flooding. No one
ever plans for their basement to flood, but it DOES
happen. I recommend getting old pallets from a
shipping company or retail store—many will just let
you take them if you ask politely—or use pieces of 2
x 4 lumber to elevate your stuff. This will prevent
a certain amount of water-damage, but also permit
you to treat for vermin in your basement, if
appropriate. Roaches and mice don’t like open spaces
such as this—they prefer it when things are tightly
against floors and walls and it’s dark.
Congratulations—your basement is now organized!
Remember, you can use these same tips to organize
your attic, too!
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