5 Ways to Utilize Your Attic Space

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! 

Interview - SpaceLift

When we visit a client for the first time they usually ask us to start in the garage or attic. Whether it is a desire to finally get the cars in or simply to create systems for sports, gardening or Costco overflow the garage can make a great place for storage solutions. However, many people have tight garages or low attics with limited space, so we spoke with Ruth Berliner from SpaceLift to discuss possible options.

For the busy person, what is SpaceLift?

Spacelift attic lift is an elevator that transports cargo/storage or seasonal items for the home/garage loft/loft or business from one level to another.

Is the lift only for attics?

No, it can be used for an attic or storage area (up to 200 pounds) to the main level, a loft space, anywhere that requires cargo to be moved from 1 level to another. Also, there is no vertical height restriction (you can stack boxes, etc. as high as your attic height allows)

What are the differences in sizes?

There are 2 sizes:

Model 5222-S: 22 W x 57.5 L x 7 H inches fits in between standard floor joists

Model 5228-S: 28 W x 57.5 L x 7 H inches will require cutting a joist and extra headers for support.

Both sizes can fit in a hallway and the low profile design allows the motor housing to fit in between a 7 inch floor joist.

How does the installation work?

There is some assembly required as well as carpentry work for the site. The lift works in tandem with your attic/loft stairs and requires an extra opening. We have downloadable manuals on our website as well as 7 part, DIY youtube videos on our youtube site (@spaceliftproducts). We have a list of installers on our website. If you don’t find one in your area, any handyperson or garage installer should be able to install it for you. The installation fee is separate and depends on your installer.

What types of clients benefit from the lift?

Anyone who doesn’t like to carry cargo, boxes or anything heavy from their attic, loft or storage area up and down stairs. It is also a much safer idea. Or, anyone that has to drive their items to a storage facility.  We tell all our clients “Claim Your Attic.”

Make it Go Away

When potential clients contact us, we ask them about their space challenges and one of the most common answers is one or all of the big three: attic, basement and garage. We call these areas “Make it go away” spaces. The habit goes past out of sight out of mind to reveal a deeper issue with clutter and how we deal with stuff. When we have homes for items, organizational systems make sense; however, for many household items when they don’t have a home they end up in the attic, basement or garage. You ever notice people don’t use “put it” that much, but rather “throw it” when talking about those make it go away items.

The Items in Question

Stuff we hide in the attic usually falls into two camps, those items we don’t know what do with in the first place and those items that don’t have an easy category. Think about your holiday decorations. That category is pretty straight forward. Items that don’t have an easily defined category usually have to do with the word “could.” Saving items for what if scenarios can lead to a clutter attic or basement. These items tend to be bulky like canoe oars or skis. Another challenge can be the “I feel I need to keep it” section. This is where that chair from your great uncle’s house comes in.

Solutions

Why does it matter if the attic or basement are clear, anyway? We not only want to use that storage space to keep items we don’t use often like keepsakes and seasonal items but one way or another you will move eventually and those heavy clutter zones make a stressful time that much more stressful. When it comes to excessive clutter most people get stuck even knowing where to start. The attic and basement require time, physical labor and a plan. A professional organizer not only provides you with special motivated time, experience, and a systematic approach we also bring the manual labor. Focus on why you are keeping the item in the first place. If the item isn’t expensive or can easily be obtained again maybe it is time for it to move on. Consider splitting a dumpster with a neighbor for a day of bulk removal helping each other lug that rusty antique creepy baby carriage down from the attic. Kicking the can down the road adds up in your valuable space if you are stuck indoors due to weather why not use that time to actually “make it go away”

The Dreaded Attic

Attics can be a nightmare. Often things have been stored in your attic for over 30 years.

Boxes untouched and filled with multi-generational items. Attics serve as a catch all, a great example of what is “out of sight, out of mind.” We have experienced many instances when a house is listed on the market we get the phone call that it is finally time to get in the attic and bring down the items to sort, review, donate or sell.

Here are some tips for properly organizing your attic:

Items stored in the attic should not be temperature sensitive. For example, photographs, paintings, and musical instruments should not be exposed to extreme temperatures.

Your keepsakes such as college mementos, awards and trophies should be kept in clear plastic bins. Label the outside what the bin contains without writing directly on the bin. The same goes for children’s keepsake clothing and toys. Often our clients ask us about turning t-shirts into quilts. Here is a link should you be interested in a t-shirt quilt.

AmazonBasics 4-Shelf Shelving Unit - Black Buy on Amazon

Try to get as much off the floor as possible. Inexpensive vertical shelving can be helpful. This way, you will be able to easily find what you are looking for and not rummage around the attic floor.

Holiday décor should also be stored in clear plastic bins. Plus plastic bags for oversized awkward items. Many households have large quantities of holiday items and gift wrap. Maybe store it in a separate area of the attic for ease of finding it when necessary.

Attics tend to be a “make it go away “ destination for numerous items such as old electronics, pet carriers, unused rugs, dated financial paperwork and other uncategorized items. Sometimes there are even boxes from previous moves which were never opened. Often we keep things with the intention that maybe someday they will come in handy. If you haven’t used something in many years it may be time to donate inexpensive, outdated and unused items.

Attics are a place where furniture can be stored away and forgotten. In fact, you may even want to bring it down but don’t want to hurt yourself (how did it fit up here in the first place?) If you think there is value to a piece of furniture there are people who can come appraise it for you. Certainly items can be repaired and sold, or donated to people who may have use for them.

However, if the attic is making you feel overwhelmed and you need help, feel free to contact us.