There always seems to be a shortage of storage. We find innovative ways to pack our things, every nook and cranny of the house is cleverly utilized, but it never seems to be enough. There really are many ways to maximize the use of space, but at the end of the day, we always seem to have too many things. Until, one day, that proverbial lightbulb goes on, and you realize that, just like that, the answer has been above your head the whole time. We tend to take attics for granted. The bathroom gets new tiles, the kitchen shiny new appliances, but the poor area below your roof gets no love at all. Let us show you five ways to utilize your attic space and turn this forgotten gem into an essential part of your home.
Water, Water Everywhere, but Not a Drop in the Attic
The first thing you should do is check that there are no leaks. The primary sources of headaches when it comes to storage spaces are water and humidity. The roof is there to protect you from the elements. The roof also takes a lot of punishment. Wear and tear is normal, and if there is a leak, it is the first thing that needs fixing. A small hole may seem unsubstantial until you realize the raindrops will be falling directly on a family heirloom you moved upstairs for safekeeping. It's not hard to check; Mother Nature can help. Wait for a particularly good storm, sit it out in the comfort of your home, and once it passes, inspect the attic for any leakage. Keep a lookout for signs of rot or possible stains.
Bonus tip: make sure that any vents that go through the attic go all the way out and that the final destination for that moist air is not the attic itself.
Bonus, bonus tip: Check for condensation on any metal surfaces while you're there. Moisture is your number one enemy. Check the pipes and ducts and be content knowing you have performed a thorough search.
One Word...Insulation
For long-term storage, you will want to make sure your storage space is well insulated. It is vital to prevent any heat transfer with any bordering areas in the house. Some attics only have insulation installed on the floors, so make sure to check your roof as well. There is a reason why we put this in second place. For insulation to have any effect, it cannot be wet. Therefore, you need to take care of the leaks first. See, when you mix insulation with water, what you get is a very comfy breeding ground for mold. If you think you have mold in your home, there are specific steps you can take to solve this problem.
A Similar Word...Ventilation
Well...at least it sounds similar. Vents and attic fans are your friends in this case. They help combat those enemies we have been raving on about - humidity and heat. They will also help ensure your stored possessions can make it through all seasonal temperature changes. Proper venting is not just vital to help keep your belongings safe; without it, the buildup of moisture could cause the structure of your attic to rot.
Floor or Ceiling?
What the attic calls the floor, the room below it calls its ceiling. This means the flooring in the attic is crucial. Want to avoid that comical situation you may have seen in many a sitcom where the person's legs are left dangling from the hole in the attic floor? Take a look at the flooring, see if you have a weight-bearing floor and if the ceiling joists are not damaged or affected by rot. If you plan on storing clothes and your collection of exotic bird feathers in the attic, you could be alright. But if you plan on putting something heavier up there, make sure the floor, or rather the ceiling, is ready to handle whatever comes its way.
Creativity Goes a Long Way
You shouldn't just throw your things haphazardly into the attic without giving it a second glance. Use the space as much as possible. With modern technology, you can even access online help on how best to organize your space with the help of professionals. Attics have peculiar shapes, but you can use that to make an aesthetically pleasing room, even if it is "just" a storage area. A sloped ceiling could be an excellent opportunity to install some interesting shelves and artsy cabinets. This will help maximize the storage capacity of the attic and give it a bit of flare. We tend to associate the attic with dusky, dust-drenched chambers primarily used by horror movie directors, but there is no reason they cannot be as appealing as any other room in your home.
Bonus Way to Utilize Your Attic Space
There is another path you could take. If you lack storage areas but need a little private nook or an additional bedroom, you can convert the attic into a new room. A lot of the tips mentioned above still apply here. Maybe even more so. Who wants to be in a room that has no insulation and ventilation, with water dripping down their backs the whole time?
But...Before All Else
There is one preliminary step that you should take. Whenever you don't quite want to throw away something that really should end up in the trash, those possessions tend to have an interesting habit of ending up in the attic. They also tend to stay there for a long time. Do not worry; there are many guides for cleaning out residential junk. The first step should be to get rid of the clutter that piled up to have a good look at what you are working with. It will help make evaluating the attic and understanding how much actual storage space there is easier.
You're All Set
As you can see, the attic can be a handy space in your house if used wisely. By reading through the above ways to utilize your attic space, we hope you will be able to transform this neglected part of your house into something truly useful. Sometimes, all you need to do to find the answer is look up!
