Discover the best strategies to efficiently organize your attic and transform it into a clutter-free space.
The thought of organizing the attic can be overwhelming. Sifting through mountains of items can seem intimidating and tempt you to postpone the inevitable task.
However, it can be done. Here’s how to turn your cluttered space into an organized attic.
Clean the Attic
The first step in organizing your attic involves a bit of disorganization. Take everything out so you’re working with a clean slate.
Seal holes, kill mold and tackle dust. Use your broom to clear off the walls, window frames and floor. Get into the edges and crevices and brush the dirt and dust outside.
If you have windows, wipe the glass and frames using a microfiber cloth and glass cleaner. Replace curtains with thin and simple ones to let in natural lighting and soften things up. Lastly, ventilate the room — check your air ducts to ensure quality air as you organize the space.
Purge and Categorize Your Items
Looking at your items, you might feel surprised to see how much stuff can accumulate over the years. Record whatever you find in a notebook. Do labels match their contents? Do you see these things bringing value in the following months or years?
As you compile your list, organize your items into three groups — always used, used occasionally and rarely used. Categorizing this way will help you decide where and how to store your stuff. As for worn-out and old items, either get rid of or donate them.
Install Lighting
If you find it challenging to locate items in your attic, maybe it’s high time to install good lighting. The next time you need something, finding what you’re looking for will be easier. Consider adding accent and ambient lights to highlight focal areas and make the room safer.
Check for Pests
The dark, quiet environment of the attic provides an ideal place for pests to live in. Containers also make great hiding spots. While cleaning the attic, check for signs of infestations to ensure nothing can potentially damage your belongings.
If you have squirrels or other rodents in the attic, hire a pest control specialist to handle this situation so you can focus your attention on organizing. With a bite force of over 7,000 pounds per square inch, squirrels can gnaw through wood, aluminum, brick and other materials in your attic, so it’s best to take action to get rid of them immediately.
Inspect Structural Damage
Before returning your items to the attic, check for structural issues that may need fixing — roof leaks, holes and broken wood. That way, you’re sure everything you store inside remains safe in the long run.
Check the area for mold, which grows in damp conditions. Finding it likely means water is coming in from somewhere. Ceiling stains and peeling paint also indicate dampness, so complete repairs before returning things to storage.
Use See-Through Storage Bins
Make locating items easier for everyone in the household. One thing you can do is to get rid of colored storage boxes and replace them with see-through bins. Even though you can see what’s inside, labeling their contents is still essential to make it easier to put things back where they belong.
Create Zones
Designating zones for each category helps create and maintain order in a large attic. If you have enough room for other functional areas, such as a reading nook, map how your reorganization will pan out on paper.
If your attic has nooks and crannies, utilize them properly. Store smaller items in these areas. Another great option is to stack things or bins on a custom-built shelf.
What Should Not Be Stored in an Attic?
When organizing your attic, it’s important to remember some things are better kept elsewhere. Consider storing these items anywhere except the room below your roof:
- Meaningful fabrics: Old wedding dresses, baby clothes and leather items should not end up in the attic, as heat, pests and water can ruin them.
- Wooden furniture: Humidity and heat can cause wooden furniture, such as an old shelf or table, to mold, crack and expand.
- Electronics: Old phones, computers and other electronic devices should remain indoors because high temperatures may cause them to melt and ruin them.
- Flammable and hazardous materials: Cleaning materials, garden chemicals and paint shouldn’t go near heat sources in your attic.
- Photos and artwork: Old books, official documents, photos and paintings can be damaged by pests, heat and humidity. This can cause mildew and discoloration on essential documents.
Celebrate Your Win
May these tips and guidelines help you create an attic you’ll be proud of. You’ll have a sense of accomplishment after completing this task and be satisfied in knowing everything is in its proper place.
Cora’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
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