Spring Cleaning: The Basement
ask an expert: organizationcanada
(Apr.20.10)
In this 5 week series, our expert will organize your home from top to bottom. This week, we tackle the biggest job of them all: the basement.
Typically basements (and garages) are where all unused and unwanted (but hard to part with) items go - never to be seen or heard from again. The stuff in your basement has probably taken years to accumulate which means (unfortunately) it will take more than a few days to organize. The good news is that the same rules that I've been stressing over the last few posts, still apply and once your done you’ll actually use what’s down there.
Use it or Lose it: If you haven’t used it in the last year, get rid of it. Start with large items that are easy to access, like sports equipment.
Divide and Conquer: Break the space up into sections to make the process less overwhelming.
Take out the Trash: Get rid of paint that no longer exists on any of your walls. Home Depot will take back old paint and stain and get rid of it for you. That saves you a trip to the transfer station.
Get Sorted: This is a good time to sort out your holiday decorations. Organize by occasion - Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving etc.
Label: Whatever you are going to keep will need to be organized into boxes with labels. Store like items together.
Stack No More: Don’t stack your boxes. Store them on shelves where they will be easy to access and you will actually be able to use what’s in them.
Maximize Space: Peg boards are a great way to get things off the floor. They work well in the basement (as well as your garage) for everything from tools to bikes.
Keep it Clean: Once you're done, every time you go down to the basement to put something away, it should have a place of it’s own. This will keep things in order.
Barbara has been a successful wardrobe stylist in the film industry for the last 20 years. Many of her clients look to her not only to update and refresh their wardrobes, but to organize the closets they hang in. Her company, Space, came out of organizing closets and into the office, the basement and the entire home. She can be reached at barbara.sidoruk@sympatico.ca or 416-937-9708.
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