20 Clever Basement Storage Ideas That Make the Most of Your Space

Whether you use your basement as a home office, movie theater, playroom or gym, chances are, you utilize the space for extra storage, too. Even though there are some things you should never store in a basement, these spaces are full of opportunities to max out your home's footprint and clear the clutter from your main living areas. Read on for all our best basement storage ideas to help you organize your extra space.

Start by taking a cue from designer Lisa Kooistra. She made every last inch of space count in this basement remodel. The trio of panels under the stairs swing open to reveal space for errant toys, and the cellar behind the glass door features custom oak storage that accommodates up to 80 bottles of wine.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.