1) Reuse all kinds of boxes and containers. Now's the time to put all those shoe boxes, empty diaper wipes containers, and cardboard boxes of all types to good use. As you sort your clutter into piles, fill up the containers and label them clearly. Then when you are looking for the box of summer clothes next fall, you won't have to open every box to find them.
Unless you need to keep water out, cardboard works as well as as those plastic boxes--and it's free. For those who have leaky basements, buy a few plastic boxes to store at floor level and stack cardboard ones on top.
Use smaller containers--shoe boxes, jewelry boxes, wips containers--inside drawers, desks, and closets to keep like items together. I use a cardboard insert from a box of liquor bottles in my lingerie drawer to keep everything separated. This makes it easier to find underclothes and socks without dumping everything out.
2) Use bricks and wood planks to make an inexpensive storage shelf. You may have these items around the house, or they are available at a home improvement center. Just pile up the bricks until the shelves are as deep as you want them, then lay the wood plank across them (the bricks should be in 2 piles the same distance apart as the length of the wood planks.) Then layer bricks and wood planks until the shelves are as high as you want them. Probably, you would want to use this in the basement due to appearance. Making your own wood shelves is also less expensive than buying them, on average.
3) Be ruthless in getting rid of things you don't use or need. As you go through your things, make three piles: Trash, give away (to family, friends or charity (don't forget the receipt so you can take the tax deduction), and resell.
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