19 Clever Storage Ideas for Your Basement

Whether you use your basement as a playroom, home office, media room or crafting space, we've got smart ways for keeping it all neat and organized.

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October 22, 2020

By: Jacquelyn McGilvray and Jeannie Matteucci

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Toy Storage Cubbies + Baskets

In this creative and playful basement, designer Amanda Miller used multilevel, cubby-style storage units with baskets and clear bins to keep the space neat and tidy. Labels — with words and pictures — on every basket help the kids keep their toys organized.

See More Photos: 37 Smart Toy Storage Ideas

Extra Storage for Kitchenware

This basement lounge features a wall of cabinets to store essentials for the wet bar. The upper and lower cabinets also provide a place to stash seasonal items like holiday dishware and decorations, summer entertaining items and extra paper goods.

See More of This Home: HGTV Dream Home 2018

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Open Storage for Easy Reach

The designers on Love It or List It created a bright and colorful finished basement that incorporates plenty of storage and comfortable furniture. A pair of desks makes it a perfect space for children who need to focus when participating in virtual learning and doing homework, or when they need space to spread out for arts and crafts.

See More Photos: 10 Ideas for Setting Up a Homeschooling Room (Plus, Scheduling Tips)

Home Office Essentials

Working from home? Look to the space underneath the stairs. Here, a low-profile credenza allows for stylish storage to keep essentials out of sight but easily accessible.

See More Photos: 65+ Small Home Office Ideas

Maker's Storage

Colorful floral wallpaper, large work surfaces and functional built-in storage make the perfect retreat to sew, gift wrap or do most any kind of crafting. The dual workstations provide plenty of space for the family to craft and create to their heart's content.

See More Photos: Simple Solutions for Craft Room Clutter

Murphy Bed in the Cabinets

In this basement family room, a storage wall transforms into a welcoming guest room thanks to a built-in Murphy bed. "We designed the room to accommodate the family and their guests," says designer Laura Stein. "Night-table trays pull out of the custom built-ins to hold a lamp and small essentials leaving plenty of floor space."

See More Photos: 30 Stylish Murphy Beds That Are Smart, Space-Saving Additions

Make the Most of the Posts

Support posts in a basement are structurally imperative, but can be ugly and annoying. There are ways to turn them into a practical and attractive feature. Here, the two supports under the stairs were framed in wood and then bridged with open shelves to create a unique display and storage option.

See More Photos: Staircase Know-How and Design Ideas

Homeschool Stash

Designer Amanda Miller added a built-in homework station and craft area to this renovated basement she designed for homeowners with six children. Maple cabinets and a custom fabric-covered bulletin board encourage neatness and keep everyone updated on activities.

Learn More: Must-Haves for Homeschooling and Homework Stations

Media Wall

A wall of open shelving provides lots of display space while the lower cabinets and big drawers offer handy hidden storage. Diamond-patterned trim on the cabinetry offers a stylish look that keeps the long wall of cabinets from being too monotonous.

See More Photos: Basement Media Room Makeover

From: J&J Design Group

Guest Bedroom + Library

This well-stocked basement library transforms into a guest bedroom when the built-in Murphy bed is flipped down. The navy-blue library includes floor-to-ceiling shelves to house a large collection of books plus there are two full-length cabinets on each side of the bed for guests to store clothes and bags.

See More Photos: 30 Stylish Murphy Beds That Are Smart, Space-Saving Additions

From: Lucy Penfield

Stepped-Up Storage

Built-in drawers and a triangular cubby make the most of the space under the stairs. If custom storage like this is out of your budget, try stacking crates, filing cabinets or plastic drawer boxes underneath your basement stairs.

See More Photos: 12 Creative Ways to Use the Space Under Your Stairs

Window Wall of Storage

Floral chairs and a simple gold chandelier add a refined touch to this bright basement workspace. Ample cabinetry frames a large window providing a functional yet sophisticated backdrop for the desk area.

See More Photos: Interior Designers Share Their Home Office Decorating Tips

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Practical Clear Plastic Bins

If you're looking for a more utilitarian approach to your basement storage you can't go wrong with clear plastic bins on basic metal shelves. It may not be the sexiest of storage options, but practicality wins out because of the large labels and the ability to see inside the bins.

See More Photos: 25 Storage Dilemmas, Solved

Take It to the Ceiling

If your basement has some height, make use of it. In this crafts space, one wall features plenty of open storage in a fabulous shade of turquoise.

From: Abby Hetherington

Storage, Plus a Nice Zoom Background

A built-in wall unit with a variety of storage options, including a desk-height credenza, makes this basement office a functional and attractive workspace. Whitewashed brick walls, a lime-green desk and leather seats add to the stylish vibe.

See More Photos: 37 Clever Uses for Everyday Items in the Home Office

From: Jill Wolff

Play Area + Toy Storage

In this basement playroom, a bookcase with lots of cubbies takes care of all the toy and game storage while book racks line the wall in the reading nook by the stairs.

See More Photos: 45 Small-Space Kids' Playroom Design Ideas

From: Claire Paquin

Combine Storage and Display

Side-by-side shelving units provide storage and display space in this contemporary blue and white basement. Matching boxes along the bottom are the perfect place to stash board games, toys or crafting supplies.

See More Photos: Basements and Bonus Rooms From Our Favorite TV Shows

Office and Guest Room in One

With careful thought and planning, even a small space can have ample storage and multiple uses. This small basement room, designed by Hilary Farr of HGTV's Love It or List It, serves as a home office, and can also sleep up to three people. The desk can be raised to reveal a stowaway bed hidden in the wall and the couch transforms into bunk beds.

See More: Room Transformations From HGTV's Love It or List It

Playroom With Built-In Shelving

This playroom has plenty of space to play on the rainbow-colored rug or at the pint-size table. The lower shelves on the wall-to-wall shelving unit are filled with toys while the upper shelves are used to display the parents’ keepsakes.

See More Photos: 30 Imaginative Kids' Playrooms