Basement Compartment Shelving / Organization ideas

An empty 5 drawer tool chest could weigh a hundred pounds. Convenient but heavy.

I carry a 3 drawer tool chest as well as a canvas bag to carry the smaller tools in. Everything else is in milk crates. Use the small ones, not the bigger ones. They fit almost perfectly across. Sling chairs and tables go on top. Also, get these for your fishing rods; Bass Pro Shops....Dennis

I just installed a small 3 drawer tool chest. As far as shelving anything is possible, but you need to make sure the compartment sides can hold the weight.

regarding the tool chest be sure to measure carefully to be certain you can fully open the top in order to pull the drawers out.

After using plastic totes and after finding what I wanted was always in the bottom one in the back , I bought two
plastic 3 drawer storage units at Walmart that let me organize better and added almost no weight. I now have cleaning supplies, lube, etc in 1 drawer; electric, tv cable, small replacement parts, small fasteners,etc. in another,and tools and heavier items in the bottom drawer. I have a 5er so I put one unit on either side of the basement. I write contents on each drawer with a magic marker. I have not had to fasten the units down, they are up against the front basement wall and have not moved in over 50,000 miles. Cost 20-30$ each.I have not fastened my cord reel down either and it does not shift around

Thank you Lwiddis, Executive, DodgeGuy, Rk911 & Braces for the replies.
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer and sharing
Rick

Love my skid out trays!!!!!!!

Rikilee wrote:
Thank you Lwiddis, Executive, DodgeGuy, Rk911 & Braces for the replies.
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer and sharing
Rick

No problem.
The previous owner of mine made a shelf in the very RF compartment. They just screwed a couple of 1X2’s to the side and attached the shelf to it. It doesn’t hold much weight at all, a US flag and some dog bowls and toys.
They also installed a fridge in the compartment right next to the entry door. They have it attached to the top of the compartment. With some ratchet straps. Only because if it were on the floor you couldn’t open the door. It’s been there for a while and hasn’t moved. It’s not the best or cleanest install but it’s not moving so I’m leaving it for now. Maybe one day I’ll make it a little more aesthetically pleasing, but for now it works.

I did make a solid platform for my tool chest to sit on. So it’s supported by the front rail and it goes right to the back and side of the wall. I also installed some 1”X1” angle steel with the holes in it to keep it from moving around. I’ll get a couple pictures later this week when I bring it home.

Executive wrote:
Also, get these for your fishing rods; Bass Pro Shops....Dennis

I also use this on the interior to hold my wine glasses. No more wrapping them up each time we move! And have lost one to breakage since installed.

I have two pass tru storage bays, in the fwd pass tru I store my Mtn. bike and tools. The rear pass thru I store a table, ladder, fishing rods in pvc tubes, oars and other long stuff. Rear storage has an inflatable raft , life jackets and fishing tackle. 5 gal water containers go in slideout storage. Oil, transmission and other fluids oil pan rags etc in another. The storage bays are only made from roto molded thermoplastic so I would not add shelves to put too much weight in there. I will miss the basement storage when I down size.