Take back your basement by letting go of these common clutter culprits.
Even completed spaces designed to provide more living space can quickly descend into chaos if youre not careful.
There are a handful ofthings that should never be stored in a basementfor safety purposes.
Credit:David Land
But plenty of seemingly harmless items contribute to the mess, too.
One look downstairs, and youll likely come across a few offenders in your own home.
Use this list as motivation to declutter your basement once and for all.
Ensure cans are sealed andstored properlyso the paint doesnt go bad prematurely.
(Be sure to follow suit with cans of primer, varnish, and stain.)
Not to mention, oversized boxes take up a ton of space even when lying flat.
Either recycle empty boxes or give them to a friend whos in the process of moving.
Old Electronics
Electronics are best kept out of the basement altogether.
Heat and humidity can wreak havoc on their circuitry and batterie.
Plus, dust will collect if theyve been forgotten about, causing irreparable damage.
Drop outdated tech off at an e-recycling center andorganize the electronicsyou still use somewhere on your homes main level.
Retired Exercise Equipment
At one point, you might have tried to turn the basement intoa home gym.
If thats still the goal once youve decluttered it, fantastic!
If theyve been collecting dust in the corner for years, it might be time to let them go.
Always carefully dispose of damaged cookware, especially if it contains broken glass or ceramic.
Worn-Out Holiday Decor
When stored well, holiday decorations should last years, even when kept in the basement.
While at it, get rid of leftover party supplies that look worse for the wear.
Theres also the issue ofoversized furnitureand spare rolled-up rugs that make it challenging to navigate the space.
Some people like to swap out their decor seasonally.
or when they feel its time for a change.
Take this as your sign to finally tackle those projects and clear out even more room in the basement.
However, they shouldnt be taking up residence in the basement for various reasons.
Look for signs such as stains, water damage, moth holes, and droppings.
Or, maybe someone who currently lives with you refuses to take ownership of perpetuating the mess downstairs.
