5 Things You Should Never Store in the Basement

Not every home has a basement, but if your home happens to have one, consider yourself lucky. Basements provide a space for laundry, perhaps a home office, or even a playroom separate from the rest of the home. They're also great for storing things like ski gear, extra alcohol for parties, and old toys. However, basements aren’t an ideal environment for storing absolutely everything. “Basements are very susceptible to extreme temperature changes, so any special items or materials you have should not be stored in the basement,” says professional organizer Kenzie Harkey of Simply Dare.

Below are five things you should never store in a basement. Keep in mind, if your basement is fully insulated and finished, this entire list may not apply to you. Still, it can’t hurt to be cautious. “I would still avoid storing items on the floor or out in the open that could get water damage as flooding is still a risk,” explains Harkey.

Photos

While most of our photos are digital these days, many of us still have those old albums passed down from our parents and grandparents. Storing these items in the basement isn’t a wise idea, according to professional organizers and founders of Sorted & Styled, Jamie Andrieu and Hillary Forst. “Pictures can become warped, discolored, and even sticky," Andrieu says. "Moisture and drastic temperature changes in basements are not ideal for photo albums.”

They recommend keeping photos in acid-free boxes and sticking those in a dark closet instead. “We also love the idea of downloading all your favorite photos to a digital frame.”

Vinyl Records

Protect your music and store your records upstairs. According to Harkey, vinyl records are a big no for storing in your basement. “Store them on shelving in one of your living spaces instead,” she says. This is because the moisture in the air can damage records or even cause mold to grow. 

Important Documents

Much like photos, important documents are also made from paper, which can be easily damaged by moisture. “Basements are also prone to flooding, which can destroy important documents even when they're in a file box," Forst says. "Instead, store paper and documents in a cool, dry place indoors like a spare closet or under-the-stairs storage spot.”

Harkey suggests investing in a fire-proof file cabinet so you'll be covered should something unforeseen happen.

You also probably don’t need all of those old documents. Most credit card, bank statements, and tax records are available digitally. So, if you’ve been storing them in your basement, have them shredded and set up online access instead.

Wood Furniture and Wood Antiques

It’s important to take proper care of antiques and other wood furniture. This means storing them somewhere other than your basement. “Wood items can swell and crack due to moisture and humidity,” Andrieu explains.

If the basement is the only room where you can store that vintage rocking horse or antique birdhouse, Harkey advises using weather-tight totes, but only if your basement is insulated and temperature-controlled.

Larger pieces should be stored in other rooms of the home. Not sure where to stash them? Why not use your grandmother’s chest in your guest room or dining room? If you can’t find a place for all of your furniture and decor, consider investing in a temperature-controlled storage unit. You also might be better off selling pieces you don’t think you will use.

Candles

Whether they're scented candles you didn’t finish burning during the holidays, summer citronella candles, or those emergency candles you keep for when the power is out, Harkey tells me the basement simply isn’t an ideal place to store these items. This is because candles can melt if it becomes too hot. Fortunately, most candles don’t take up too much space, so just try to find a shelf upstairs instead.