What’s the one place where you’re most likely to keep extra stuff?

The basement.

What’s the one place that’s generally considered the worst place to store certain things?

The basement.

Basements are essentially the junk drawer of the house. We keep so much in the basement, either because we don’t know where else to keep things or we don’t have the space to keep those things anywhere else.

The problem, however, is that some things should never be stored in the basement.

Basements are denizens of dampness (which can lead to mildew and mold issues), while excess water from a major storm can turn your basement into the indoor pool you never wanted, damaging whatever you had kept down there.

So, what should you do to keep your belongings safe, and what should you keep and not keep in your basement? Before we answer those questions, we should add an important caveat: Whatever you keep in your basement should be stored properly in the proper air-tight container.

Good Shelving Goes a Long Way

Whether you decide to buy plastic shelving or more expensive options (like the kind that health care and food industries use), make sure that the shelving units meet your needs. Shelving units that are sturdy, can hold a lot of weight per shelf, and allow you to adjust the space between shelves are good. Ones that hold up in all basement conditions and have the aforementioned qualities are even better.

You also look to invest in shelving units whose bottom shelf sits a few inches off the ground. Should you get water in your basement, the slight elevation off the ground can be the difference in keeping your belongings dry and undamaged.

What’s OK to Keep in the Basement

· Holiday decorations. From wrapping paper to holiday ornaments and more, holiday decorations are fine to keep in the basement, provided that they are stored properly. There are horizontal and vertical plastic bins for wrapping paper, and ornament containers come in all shapes and sizes, so be sure to get what you need to secure these items for future holidays.

Once the holiday is over, go through your decorations and see what you want to keep and what to give away. If you didn’t hang that aluminum wreath this year, for example, it’s time to donate or (if it’s in poor condition) throw it away. And if you’re an avid post-holiday sales shopper and buy more wrapping paper and decorations, that also is a great time to weed through what you no longer want or need and discard accordingly.

As for boxes of holiday cards, they are OK to store in the basement (again, if stored in a plastic bin), but here’s a tip: If you have open boxes of leftover cards but don’t know what year you sent them out, save the guesswork and donate them. Sending the same holiday card to people on your list is not exactly Grinch-esque, but it’s not cool, either.

· Party supplies. From your table coverings to plastic utensils, these supplies are perfectly fine to be kept in a plastic storage bin. For the sake of space, however, keep what you plan to use for a future event, not past events. While keeping your child’s 2nd birthday bib and stained paper tablecloth set sounds cute, it’s better to keep a picture of your child from their special day handy when you want to be sentimental – and ditch the worn items.

· Toys. Whether they’re from kids’ childhood or your own, toys can be well-preserved in plastic bins for a long time in your basement. Before storing any toy, however, ask yourself the following question: Am I keeping these toys for sentimental reasons, or am I keeping them so I can sell them? If your answer was the second part, let’s add a cold dose of reality: If they’re not in their original packaging, they aren’t worth much. The space you’ll free up by donating them or selling them (at a small price) will be much more valuable to you in the long run.

· Electronics. If you’re going to store any kind of electronic device, be sure to take the batteries out. Batteries in a device – even those that are stored properly – can and will corrode, which could render your device useless.

· Collectibles. Refer to the Toys section for proper storage – and for making a good value judgment.

What’s Not OK to Keep in the Basement

· Photos. Regardless of whether they are in boxes or albums, photos should never be stored in the basement (or attic, for that matter). The temperature and humidity can damage your precious memories permanently. Instead, store them somewhere on the main level of the house.

· Memorabilia. Like photos, memorabilia such as old newspapers, magazines, and the like should be kept in air-tight archival containers away from the basement. For things such as your autograph book from eighth grade or that first pack of Garbage Pail Kids that you just couldn’t get rid of, you also should keep them in a plastic bin.

There’s a better way to preserve your memorabilia that will save you considerable space. Take photos of the pieces you want to remember (and dispose of the rest accordingly), then make a special photo album that you will be able to share with your children and future generations.

· Clothes. Clothes, like photos, are another basement no-no, as clothes and mildew make for a horrible combination. Keep what you plan to wear this season in your bedroom or, if you have overflow, in a spare closet, and keep your non-seasonal clothes in storage bins or vacuum space-saver storage bags ideally on the main level of your house as well.

Just because your basement has the capacity to store a lot of stuff doesn’t mean it should. If you follow the recommendations that we have provided here, you will enjoy a basement with properly stored items and lots of free space. All will last a long time!

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Tom Harper is owner of Tom’s Organizing Made Simple LLC, a Bethlehem-based company dedicated to helping people declutter and organize their space, stuff, time, and/or tasks. Follow TOM’S on Facebook or Instagram.

So, 2021 is now behind us as we look ahead to what hopefully will be a healthier and happier year for all of us. As 2022 kicks off, a lot of people will resolve to better themselves by exercising more, changing jobs, learning a new hobby, etc.

But why wait until the start of a new year to do things differently? I’m a carpe diem kind of guy – for those of you who didn’t study Latin or see Dead Poets Society, carpe diem means “seize the day” – so I believe you have 365 days a year to create meaningful resolutions and, more importantly, take the necessary steps to make change happen.

Like any opportunity to become better at something, it takes a lot of determination, willpower, patience, and practice. As someone who successfully stopped biting his nails after years of doing so, I understand that change is difficult but not impossible.

I’ve created 10 resolutions for people who want to become better with their organizing skills. The great thing about these resolutions is that they can be implemented Jan. 1 or Aug. 17 or any day of the year. The resolution is merely the first step. What’s important are the actions you take to help you realize your goal.

Organizing Resolution #1: I resolve to make the most of today’s opportunities to get organized.

This resolution is all about seizing the day and using the time in front of you now to begin the task of getting organized. Whether it’s deciding what specific area(s) of your life or your home that you want to organize, buying organizing products, or just taking that long-overdue pile of donations to Goodwill or the like, taking advantage of the present time to put your goal of becoming better organized into action is a great first step on your path.

Organizing Resolution #2: I resolve to tackle one project at a time.

Too often, people who resolve to make change happen in their lives go too far the other way at the start. If they want to eat healthier, for example, they take a garbage bag to the pantry and throw out any candy, cookie, or carb in sight. People who go to such extremes are rarely successful.

The same is the case with getting organized. Target a specific space to organize first, as opposed to tackling every room all at once. And start small; instead of overhauling the garage, try organizing your junk drawer. A spice cabinet or even a food pantry can also be considered a great first project, since often the primary task is simply getting rid of food that is past the expiration date.

Organizing Resolution #3: I resolve to be patient with myself and treat myself with kindness throughout the organizing process.

This resolution could easily be the first one you make. I’ve worked with clients who are excited to get started organizing their spaces, but as they get deeper into it, they soon get frustrated with themselves for letting things get so disorganized, and they almost lose interest in continuing further.

Be kind to yourself at the beginning and throughout the course of your project. That means you avoid negative self-talk like, “I’m never going to get this done,” “I can’t believe I let things get this way,” or something similar. Instead, statements like, “This will take time, but I’m determined to see this through” or other positive self-talk (“I can do this,” “I’m proud of myself for getting started,” et al.) can reframe your mindset and turn any negative emotions into positive ones.

Organizing Resolution #4: I resolve to repeat the following until I have it memorized: “It’s not about where I’ve been; it’s about where I am now, and where I want to be.”

This resolution ties into the last one. It’s easy to fall into “would’ve, could’ve, or should’ve” statements. People who were once in great shape and now can barely lift 15-pound dumbbells over their heads, for example, can quickly become frustrated about how far they’ve fallen from their old workout routine.

I tell all my organizing clients that whatever was in their past is now in the past, that they’re here now and are doing something now to help them achieve their future goals. Staying in the moment and focusing on the positives will help you stay on track to achieve you goal, and you will be happier for it.

Organizing Resolution #5: I resolve to remind myself that as I organize, the mess will get worse before it gets better – but it will get better.

Bbefore I start working with clients, I tell them that we will get messy as we put like things together and create sections in the room for what things will be donated, kept, or trashed. While it may initially look like we’re just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, the process will bear itself out very soon. When clients see the first bits of progress, the excitement they have is palpable.

Organizing Resolution #6: I resolve to understand that freeing up space isn’t an invitation to fill that space with more stuff.

One misconception of organization is that newly created free space is just an opportunity to fill it with more stuff. (George Carlin’s famous bit about stuff is so appropriate – enjoy.) I believe in a “less-is-more” approach to my organization. What’s the best thing to put in newfound open space? Nothing.

Organizing Resolution #7: I resolve to invest in my organizing efforts, because doing so is an investment in myself.

We invest so much time trying to help others at work or in our personal lives, but the best investment you can ever make isn’t in stocks or real estate (though they help in a different capacity) but in yourself. When you’re ready to organize, invest in some organizing products like storage totes, shelving units, and the like.

Or hire a professional organizer like Tom’s Organizing Made Simple. I serve a role similar to that of a trainer at your local gym, in that I work beside you to motivate you to help you achieve your goals. I provide organizing solutions and endless encouragement, two things that will help your short-term investment reap long-term benefits.

Organizing Resolution #8: I resolve to make my organizing fun and to also take breaks – which include taking a step back every so often to see the progress I’ve made.

To paraphrase an old horticultural-themed expression, “Stop and smell the progress.” When you decide to get organized, you can spend so much time organizing that you fail to see the progress you’ve made along the way. A great suggestion to document your progress is to take “before” and “after” photos of your organizing project. You’ll be amazed by how much you accomplished.

And you have to have fun in life. If we’ve learned anything from the past two years, it’s that life is too short to spend it wallowing in sadness. I love playing music, whether I’m organizing or working out or writing blogs for my website or … just about anything. Some of my go-to “high-energy” songs are “Everything’s Magic” by Angels and Airwaves or “Ocean Avenue” by Yellowcard.

Find your ways to have fun as you clean out your closet or box up your basement. You’ll be happy, and you’ll be happy you did it.

Organizing Resolution #9: I resolve to celebrate that progress with some fun reward, because I deserve it.

How often do we do something but not take time to enjoy the process? Celebrate what you accomplish, whether you treat yourself to a fun-size candy bar – quick aside: “Fun size” should be the length of your arm – or a new outfit or something simple as 10 minutes of enjoying silence. You’ve earned it, so enjoy it!

Organizing Resolution #10: I resolve to get re-organized if I ever lapse – because I’ve proven to myself that I can organize.

There will be times when, after you’ve organized your life or your space (or both), you get sidetracked, and your organization gets lost. Life happens. And if it makes you feel better, it happens to professional organizers too.

Because you have proven to yourself that you can get organized, you will find it’s easier to get back on the horse and clean up that clutter. And as you have learned, “It’s not about where I’ve been; it’s about where I am now, and where I want to be.”

Enjoy these resolutions and tips to help you get to work on making those resolutions a reality. You can do it!

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What You Should Store in Your Basement

Resolve to Make Organizing a Top Priority