9 Items in Your Basement You Should Toss Right Now

While it’s nice to have the extra space, basements can quickly become so cluttered that you barely get to use them, defeating the purpose altogether. If yours is getting harder to navigate — or you simply want to reclaim some of that square footage — there are plenty of things you can probably part with right now (and never miss!).

Broken or Outdated Electronics

Basements tend to end up as the final destination for old laptops, DVD players, gaming consoles, and mystery chargers and cables after you stop using them. Keep what still serves a purpose (move it elsewhere for storage, though; basements can be both humid and damp, which spells disaster for electronics) and get rid of the rest — but don’t just toss electronics in the trash. Check your local recycling requirements to find out how to best dispose of them, and make sure to wipe personal data from computers, phones, and other devices first.

Holiday Decorations You Never Use

When was the last time you actually used everything in your holiday bins? As you unpack them this year, weed out broken ornaments, damaged garlands, dead strands of lights, and decorations that haven’t made it upstairs in years. And rather than haul everything back downstairs at the end of the season, keep only the pieces you still reach for and donate anything in good condition that you’ve outgrown.

Old Paint and Construction Materials

A little leftover paint can be useful for touch-ups, but there’s no need to keep open cans around — not only does paint have a shelf life (how long depends on factors such as the brand and how much air is in the can), but it’s also hazardous waste. Spare tile, lumber, and other remnants from projects you finished years ago also don’t belong in your basement. 

Take stock of what could realistically come in handy for future repairs and toss the rest, following local disposal guidelines for paint and other materials that shouldn’t go in household trash. Usable building materials may also find a second home through a local donation or reuse organization.

Cardboard Boxes

If your basement is full of cardboard boxes from old moves or deliveries, it’s probably time to clear some out. Not only do they take up space, but in a damp basement, the cardboard can absorb moisture, making it more prone to mold and pests. Recycle the boxes and use sturdy bins with lids for anything you’re keeping downstairs long-term.

Furniture and Dishware

Furniture and dishware you no longer want upstairs but aren’t quite ready to part with often find their way to the basement. Consider this your sign to be realistic about whether that extra chair, old set of dishes, or stack of mismatched mugs will ever make its way back into regular use. If the answer is no, donate or sell pieces that are still in good condition and toss anything broken, chipped, or beyond repair.

Abandoned Projects and Hobby Supplies

That half-finished chair or abandoned craft project isn’t doing you much good gathering dust in the basement. If you’ve been meaning to get back to it for years, consider whether you’re still genuinely interested in finishing it — or simply reluctant to let it go.

Unused Exercise Equipment

Few things eat up basement square footage faster than exercise equipment you don’t actually use. The truth is, the treadmill doubling as a clothes rack or the stationary bike gathering dust can be more useful to someone else than it is sitting downstairs. If it’s still in working condition, consider selling or donating it. You’ll clear a sizable amount of floor space in one shot — and won’t have to awkwardly maneuver around it every time you head downstairs​​.

Outgrown Kids’ Stuff

As any parent or grandparent will tell you, baby gear, toys, clothes, school projects, and artwork can pile up fast. And while you should absolutely keep the things that matter, don’t feel guilty about letting go of the rest. Photograph or digitize favorite pieces of artwork, then donate clothes, toys, and gear that your family has outgrown.

Boxes You Haven’t Opened in Years

You know exactly what we’re referring to — those boxes that have followed you through move after move without ever being opened. Instead of continuing to shuffle them around, take the time to open those mystery boxes to see what’s actually inside. Pull out anything useful, sentimental, or irreplaceable, then tackle the rest. If you haven’t used — or even remembered — something for years, you may be ready to finally let it go.

_{Featured Image Credit: © LitterART/stock.adobe.com}