Do you dread going to the basement because it’s just piles of clutter and junk? It might be time for a basement cleanout! Like a garage cleanout, a basement cleanout may look like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. A successful basement cleanout is simply emptying your basement by moving junk you don’t need to free up some space.
Still, if you get overwhelmed at the thought of sifting through all of your stuff and hauling junk upstairs on your own, you aren’t alone! The right resources, like a dumpster rental or a cleanout service, can make all the difference in your experience. Instead of using your basement as an extra storage unit, basement clean out services can help you reclaim your space so that you enjoy spending time down there.
Wherever you are in this cleaning journey, we’re here to help! A basement cleanout is a process and won’t happen overnight, so we’ve created a foolproof strategy to help you get organized and transform your basement.
Here are 5 tips that will help you turn your cluttered, junk room basement into an organized, usable space you’ll absolutely love.
A basement cleanout won’t happen in one day, so break the process up into steps across a longer period. Schedule a weekend to give yourself enough time to go through everything. Basements are filled with random items, seasonal items, and items that hold memory. Don't feel like you have to rush the process of a clean basement! Otherwise, you might be left with a bigger mess than you started with. Once you know what you want to keep and what needs to go, you can set a day or weekend to organize whatever you're keeping and another time to get rid of your junk pile.
If you aren't intentional with your basement space, you're more likely to fall into old habits and start collecting clutter again. Instead, think of ideas for your empty basement! Have you always wanted a craft room? Playroom for the kids? At-home gym? While you’re purging and organizing items it’s important to keep your goal outcome in mind since it affects what you keep and how it’s stored. Make your basement work for you instead of the other way around by dedicating certain spaces for certain activities.
Creating a plan of action will help you stay on a clear path towards your basement cleanout end goal. Start with the following decisions:
While your motivation is high, tackle the area you are dreading the most. Ensure that you have designated areas or containers marked as keep, sell/donate and toss. If you know there are items especially the larger ones that you want to get rid of, get the junk out right away and into the dumpster rental. For a basement cleanout, we recommend using the 2-year rule. If you forgot you had it or have not used it in 2 years, it’s time to toss it or donate it.
Once the junk is removed and your dumpster rental has left your driveway, don’t think that your basement cleanout is over. Stay motivated in your dream basement and put together all the items you want to sell/donate. Remember that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Host a garage sale, post on social media buy/sell groups or look for curbside pickup in your neighborhood. Now that your basement is left with only the items you want to keep it will be so much easier to sort through and properly organize your items in the storage method of your choice.
Then, make sure your clean basement is thoroughly tidied so that you have a clean slate to work with, including vacuuming, dusting, washing, etc. After this process, you’ll notice how much you’ll love going down to the basement and it will no longer be a dreadful walk down the stairs.
If you find the clutter is stressing you out and you're constantly pushing this task further down your agenda while it remains at the top of your priority list, it might be wise to hire professionals to help. You’ll find a number of professionals in your area that provide basement cleaning services. This means the job will finally get done with less of a headache for you! You can also rent a Bin There Dump That dumpster to make disposing of your stuff simple and fast! Let the professionals take the reins and reclaim your space.
If you’re going to use professional services, the best way to prepare for it is to know what you’re keeping and what needs to go. That way, your experience with the junk removal team will go quickly and you can sit back and relax. The more decisive you are during your appointment, the better! Once they clear all the junk, you'll be able to enjoy a clean basement.
The cost of decluttering your basement is going to depend on how much stuff you need to be moved, what you need to be moved, what you need to buy to clean and organize your space afterwards, etc. A basement clean out service can cost approximately $350 on average, but professionals should give you a price quote depending on the size of the project.
If you’re decluttering on your own, you’re likely going to need some resources to help. For example, getting rid of all of your old furniture will be a hassle without using a dumpster rental, so factoring in that cost is also important. Depending on the size you need, a dumpster rental can cost anywhere from $250 to $650. We offer consultations from professionals to help you determine what size you may need so that you don’t pay for anything you don’t need!
Take a minute and soak in your new view: a clear, organized basement with space to spare. So, how to use this new-found living space? There are so many options:
Imagine tuning out the chaos of the day and retreating to a nice quiet home for your workout or Yoga session. The space you have will help determine what you can accommodate. According to the American Council on Exercise, free weights require 20 to 50 square feet of space to use properly, treadmills need about 30 square feet, and a multi-station gym needs 50 to 200 square feet. Install hardwood floors and calm lighting along with some mats and weight racks.
A true wine cellar requires more than installing shelves in your basement and stacking bottles of wine. There are light, temperature and humidity requirements. But if you're a wine connoisseur and up for the challenge, that empty basement could be a great spot for your favorite cabernet or pinot noir.
Your basement can be a great place for a home theater. Turn out the lights and you have a pitch black room, any time of day. Big screen TV, plush couches and chairs, nice sound system. Pass the popcorn.
Ping pong, anyone? Pool? Air hockey? Show the kids your mad foosball skills. Challenge the neighbors to a tournament. Your basement, once filled with boxes of junk, could be the hottest spot in the neighborhood. Let the games begin.
If you often entertain overnight guests, create a welcoming, comfortable guest suite downstairs that offers everyone a bit of privacy. Or go one step further and register it as a rental with AirBnB. Suddenly, your once-cluttered basement is generating income.
Kids? Grandkids? Create a giant playroom. Blackboard paint on the walls, Patterned rugs that encourage play with toy trucks or hopscotch. A big table for crafts. A puppet theater. Easels for art. Shelves full of books. Heck, you might hang out here yourself.
Friendly, professional customer service, plus fair pricing, equals value.
