ᐅ Houses Without Basements: Storage Space or Hobby Room?

Hello,

we originally planned to build with a basement, but unfortunately that now seems unlikely due to the soil conditions. We simply need storage space. We tend to collect things and don’t like to throw things away. Having a house won’t suddenly change that, I want to be honest with myself.

Where do you store items that don’t fit in the utility closet?
What interesting storage options do you have besides the usual utility room, which is already half taken up by technical installations and the washing machine and where you don’t really want to store clutter, and the attic? Where do you keep your hobby workshop?
What are your solutions?

I would be very happy to get some suggestions, maybe even with plans or pictures.

Edit:
We are building with a shed roof and therefore have no attic.
We will not have a garage or carport.

DNL schrieb:
Hello,
we originally planned to build with a basement, but that now seems unlikely due to the ground conditions. We simply need storage space. We are collectors and not the type to throw things away. Moving into a house won’t suddenly change that, I have to be honest with myself.

Just push yourself a bit and get rid of all the stuff that has accumulated but is never used anymore. Then the utility room and a "basement" in the attic will be enough. You really don’t *need* more storage space. Crafts and projects take place in the garden shed or the office in the attic.
We have been living in the new house since May, don’t miss anything, and wonder what’s still packed in all those boxes in the attic – even though we already disposed of several cubic meters when moving out.

We have a utility room of over 12m2 (130 sq ft) located right next to the kitchen. The technical equipment (heat pump, connections, etc.) is housed in a separate room near the entrance. Under the stairs, we have a broom closet. Additionally, we designed our upper floor with a high knee wall and a 42-degree roof pitch, allowing for a spacious attic accessible via a steeper staircase. This provides us with plenty of extra storage: two rooms with over 20m2 (215 sq ft) plus a hallway. In the garden, there will be a larger garden shed with two rooms for bicycles, tools, and outdoor toys for the kids.

nordanney schrieb:
Just push past your hesitation and throw away all that stuff you’ve accumulated but will never use again.

That sounds so simple. People who write in the subforum "Building Finance" saying that despite a good income they have no equity because they lived well and traveled a lot, but suddenly want to save a lot with a house, are also told that this is probably unrealistic once you get used to that kind of lifestyle. To be honest, I see it similarly here.

We have a fairly large attic that is also easy to access due to its sufficient height. Next to the utility room, which is mostly occupied by technical equipment, we have a fairly large kitchen where we can store all the food supplies in appropriate cabinets. Additionally, we have built a small space under the stairs, which is used for the vacuum cleaner, brooms, stroller, and other items. On the upper floor, there is also a small storage room (about 2.5m² (27 sq ft)). Furthermore, in my double carport (6 x 9m (20 x 30 ft)), the last 3.5m (11.5 ft) are currently being converted into a 21m² (226 sq ft) storage room for bicycles, garden furniture, etc. With this, we should be well covered.

It is also advisable to sell items you no longer need promptly through flea markets, ads, local online classifieds, or Facebook marketplaces. Items usually do not increase in value the longer they sit unused.

We also have a large attic space (about 40 m2 (430 ft2)). The area is definitely sufficient, but carrying items up using the retractable ladder is a bit tiring. However, this results in more intentional storage.

Until the end of last year, we also had a (completely full) basement. As others have described, most of it could safely be thrown away instead of being stored and forgotten in the basement.

In the end, we could fill every available storage space if we wanted to. We tend to be collectors by nature. But regularly decluttering is incredibly freeing, and we have been keeping this up for a year now.

Regarding the questions:

• The attic currently serves as storage space:
- Windows protrude; possibly a space-saving staircase instead of the retractable ladder.
- The roof will be insulated soon, and we have planned for radiators. In an unheated space, items do get damaged (from -10 to +30 degrees Celsius (14 to 86 °F)) due to condensation and heat.
- Seasonal items are stored there (autumn, Easter, Christmas decorations), “memories,” and clothing (summer/winter).

• The workshop is also in the attic but will soon be moved to the garage, which will have a small stove installed.
• The utility room will get a well-fitting corner shelving system, allowing for a surprisingly large amount of storage.

Daves