Properly installed shelving can help to organize a basement area, free up floor space and protect items from water damage. Since the basement tends to be a place where unused things end up, shelves are often a way to remove clutter and create more room. When installing this kind of shelving, it might be a good idea to use units that are raised off the floor and that allow wall ventilation to prevent mold and mildew. For storing an assortment of items, a sturdy, adjustable shelf not only supports heavy boxes, but can accommodate changing storage needs. Basement shelving may be made out of steel, wire, plywood, plastic or some sort of do-it-yourself combination.
Wire shelving mounted with masonry fasteners tends to be a popular option for basement storage. These shelves are usually pretty versatile, allowing homeowners to move shelves up or down, adding or subtracting a shelf as needed. This type of basement shelving is often a popular choice in damp areas because it allows air flow, which may prevent mold problems.
Plastic utility shelving is another type of storage that might be used in a basement area. This style of basement shelving is usually fairly easy to assemble and capable of holding quite a bit of weight. These shelves come in different sizes and combinations, offering a raised lip at the back of the shelf, which may come in handy to prevent items from slipping off.
If the basement is used as a workspace, heavy-duty, steel basement shelving, which is often used for tool storage, may be the best choice. This kind of shelving may be a bit bulky because of its size, but the units usually offer drawers or shelves separated by dividers to organize items. Since a unit of this kind tends to be cumbersome to move, it's a good idea to decide in advance where the unit will be located.
Homeowners often decide to build their own basement shelving using leftover wood or almost anything they can find around the home. An easy-to-assemble basement shelving unit can be constructed with plywood and cinderblocks or bricks. This kind of shelving is easy to expand if needed. A do-it-yourself shelving unit can be painted, stained or left unfinished, depending on what will be stored on the shelves. Basement styles do vary though, and aesthetics may not be the top priority. Some people find that they can create functional, inexpensive shelves out of things that were once cluttering up their basement.