Basements
March 14, 2022
45+ Stylish Ways To Keep Your Basement Organized
With spring around the corner, we’re making our homes as functional, organized and fabulous as possible. Whether you need inspiration for the ultimate basement office, or you’re looking to design a luxe home bar, it’s the perfect time to makeover a dated and cluttered basement.
Scroll down to see these 45+ beautiful basements and get inspired to refresh your own!
If you’re looking to overhaul your spare basement bedroom, you may want to take cues from designer Sarah Sherman Samuel’s multi-functional basement bedroom. This hardworking room acts as a guest bedroom, office, playroom and even an at-home classroom.
In this NHL player’s basement rec room, it’s not just about catching the game on the big screen. A custom cabinet with favorite objets gives it a sophisticated feel, while a mix of rich fabrics, elegant seating and a fireplace makes it an ideal spot for entertaining a crowd.
In this basement laundry room, bright and cheerful cabinets offer ample storage for cleaning supplies, while an unassuming broom closet features a foldout ironing board.
This basement bedroom maximizes every inch of space. The wall that houses the electrical panel was clad in cork to offer an ever-changing inspiration board. A simple desk makes this hardworking room an office too.
In this pretty and practical basement home office, a panelled door leads to a hidden closet where office supplies and a printer is stored.
In the same home, a private office that was once a basement bedroom features a sophisticated desk area with elegant details and ample storage. A gallery wall of paintings with picture lighting ensures you always feel inspired.
High ceilings and large windows bring lots of natural light into this walk-out basement bar. A tall shelving unit displays the colorful array of bottles, while a golden geometric ceiling makes a luxe statement.
A nautical color scheme and surf-inspired accents reference this California home‘s oceanside location. Bunk beds are a great use of vertical space for the homeowners’ son and his friends.
A slouchy sectional is the perfect place to curl up next to the window. The sliding wood table on the custom ottoman is a practical addition to hold drinks and books.
Wall-to-wall shelving does double duty in this old world office space: displaying eye-catching knick-knacks and beautifully framing the window.
Designer Karin Bennett maximized the space in this renovated basement with wooden wall-to-wall built-ins. Black shiplap draws the eye up and creates just the right amount of contrast with the pale palette.
Open shelving and a mini-fridge are functional elements for the homeowners, who love to host. The textural tile is a glittering focal point.
A tall built-in smartly tucks away odds and ends in this Scandi-style basement by designer Mehnaz Malik. The slim sectional creates more space and shows off an artful area rug.
Pro Tip: Play with symmetry on your shelves. Try an alternating pattern of left and right with stacks of books, and use plants or vases sparingly to add interest.
Your basement doesn’t have to feel dark and gloomy — white furniture and several windows let light in to transform this unused corner into a bright and airy home office. Designer Sabrina Linn added pops of color to make productivity feel fun.
Behr’s Fruit Salad draws attention to the open shelving in this charming basement kitchen. The space has a cheerful farmhouse feel with blonde wood, industrial chairs and an apron-front sink.
Crisp white walls with pops of color makes this basement feel light and airy. The spacious banquette doubles as a storage space, and a forest mural by Anthropologie makes a striking accent wall.
Flirty pink accents, floral wallpaper and plenty of cabinetry make this custom IKEA craft room a pretty yet functional space.
Not enough storage space? No problem. Designer Erin Feasby made use of the many built-ins lining the basement walls to stash unwanted items behind closed doors and display trophies and pictures. Swivel chairs and a round coffee table let guests get comfy while watching movies on the projector.
In Nam Dang-Mitchell’s stylish basement, the main living area stars a custom Ping-Pong table, with industrial-look bookcases and steel French doors in supporting roles. Slate-colored panelling sets off a gallery wall.
The original minibar was upgraded to a full kitchenette outfitted with a microwave, fridge and dishwasher. Open shelving provides display space for dishes and glassware.
A clean, modern laundry zone is simple and super functional. For even more folding space, Nam brought in a mobile island and customized it with a slab of marble.
The lower level of the 2019 Princess Margaret Showhome includes a one-of-a-kind spa retreat. Behind glass doors, you’ll find a separate steam room and sauna, along with a vanity and tub in luxurious high-end finishes.
This basement has zones for hanging out, playing and working. Here, picture rails and hanging boxes serve a dual purpose as storage and display. Below, a row of benches provides seating; each bench has a box that can be pulled right out to store games and toys.
In the home office zone, built-in shelves are incorporated into the structural column, with the kids’ books on the lower shelves for easy access. Clip-on task lighting and office organizers amp up function on the open shelves above.
In this stylish basement lounge area, built-ins flank the onyx-tiled fireplace and provide both open and closed storage, as well as a surface for table lamps and small sculptures. The look is high-end yet comfortable.
The designers used every available inch of space and created a cozy kitchenette underneath the stairs. Tucking in a snack and beverage zone makes this lower-level space even more inviting.
In a corner of the lounge, a mod table and chairs becomes the games nook. Creating a separate playing or casual dining area brings a sense of order to the multifunctional space.
See more of this family-friendly basement on H&H TV.
White lacquered cabinets and a marble countertop bounce light around this lower-level laundry room. Wire baskets and wood boxes keep laundry items organized, and a vintage ladder adds functional hanging space.
Horizontal white-painted poplar boards bring a modern cabin vibe to this basement. Comfy furniture is organized around a cozy fireplace with the television above, creating a secondary living room that’s the perfect escape for teenagers.
A Murphy bed is ideal for house guests, and easily tucks away when not in use. A niche in the wall acts as a side table and even has a reading light.
On another wall, built-in bookshelves store books, vases, objets and small speakers. The vented cabinet door below hides other unsightly stereo equipment.
In the workspace of this lower-level basement, a durable Ikea countertop is long enough to accommodate two workstations. Old-school filing cabinets provide plenty of storage, and a large tray becomes effective storage for office supplies.
The kitchenette efficiently runs along one wall and features all-white cabinets, countertops and backsplash, which all work to enhance the openness of the space.
Building bookcases over the basement’s foundation ledge turns it into a winning feature. The narrow space is an ideal landing spot for new reads.
The mudroom connects the main floor to the basement level. A heated herringbone-pattern slate floor is welcoming, and simple wall hooks keeps coats and bags off the floor.
The light and bright bathroom features an airy vanity with baskets underneath for extra storage. Towels look right at home draped on hooks.
In the laundry room, white walls and cabinets are a graphic contrast to the black hexagonal floor tiles. Stacked laundry machines leave more room for floor-to-ceiling storage that keeps cleaning supplies out of sight.
This fun craft area features a table and chairs from an old dining set (now sporting a playful paint treatment) while the kids’ artwork, taped to the wall with washi tape, creates a colorful gallery. A movable trolley is the perfect place for craft supplies.
In another area, a long open bench does double duty as extra seating and storage for books and game consoles. Throw pillows in a variety of sizes, colors and patterns keep the palette cheerful.
The über-functional laundry area has an industrial sink, plenty of folding space and open shelving to keep cleaning and gardening items organized. The acid yellow on the adjoining powder room door adds a lively pop of color.
In the powder room, the fun continues with chalkboard paint to tempt young graffiti artists. A wall-mounted sink and coordinated mirror pack a graphic punch.
The lower level of the 2009 Princess Margaret Showhome is all about comfort: besides the plush furniture perfect for lounging and TV-watching, the space features an expansive entertainment bar with a beer dispenser and fridge drawers, minimizing the need to head up to the kitchen for a beverage.
The dark grey walls and ceiling create a moody atmosphere in this cozy basement. A simple shelf corrals the homeowner’s white pottery and milk glass for a tidy and sculptural display.
High-gloss storage units with undermount lighting showcase treasured collections. The cabinets hide away everything from DVDs to extra tchotchkes.
A built-in table with drawers for storage is a perfect wrapping and crafting station. Task lighting above the sewing machine illuminates projects and brightens the overall space.
This multifunctional space is packed with built-ins, making it easy to keep clothing, laundry supplies and linens organized. The warm white palette reflects light to keep the look airy.
A handsome basement home office is warmed up by radiant heating installed beneath the porcelain tile floor as well as a hide rug. Low built-in cabinets and a floating shelf behind the desk provide plenty of storage and display space.
In the laundry room, flat-panel cabinets hold everything from linens to workout gear. A simple tray on the countertop organizes household items, and the industrial-style faucet, stainless steel sink and oversized art add sophistication.