Organizing your attic doesn’t have to be difficult or a dreaded chore! Whether you need somewhere to store seasonal items or just want to declutter your living space a bit, here are 15 tips and tricks that will help you maximize your attic space and make the entire process a bit easier!

Clear Everything Out of the Attic

The first step with attic organization is clearing out the entire space! Everything that’s currently in your attic should come out so you can see what you have. Using the decluttering method of your choice, you can decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Not sure what to do with decluttered stuff? Consider selling, donating, or trashing items you no longer need!

Install Lighting

Having good lighting is important for attic organization because it can help you find your items quicker and easier—that way, you’re not fumbling around in the dark! You can install attic lighting with pendant lights, recessed lighting, or even motion-detected lighting to help illuminate your attic as you walk in.

Take Care of Pests

When cleaning and organizing your attic, be sure to check for pests to make sure nothing is hiding that could potentially damage your belongings. Bring in an expert to do a thorough sweep, too. While you may be able to get rid of some smaller critters on your own, if there are any dangerous pests like raccoons or bats in your attic, a pest control specialist will be able to create a game plan for removing them safely and preventing future animals from getting inside.

Check for Structural Issues

Before you begin moving items into your attic for storage, you’ll want to look for any structural issues like roof leaks and ventilation problems. That way, you can prevent damage to your stored belongings. Another thing you’ll want to assess is the temperature of your attic. Items like photos and electronics shouldn’t be kept in extreme temperatures, so you may need to install some type of climate control in your attic, such as a window unit or dehumidifier.

Brace Floors Before Storing Items

If you have an unfinished attic and plan to store heavy items, placing them on any non-weight bearing surface can be dangerous and cause serious damage like floor collapse. Instead of trying to refinish the attic space with new floors, add some plywood or attic deck flooring that can easily rest on beams and help displace weight accordingly!

Design an Attic Floor Plan

After decluttering and checking your space for pests and structural issues, you can start putting everything back into your attic and organizing it. Create a floor plan that designates specific attic storage areas. This will help you remember where every item is while also making the process of putting items back into the attic a little bit quicker. Some sections to consider creating are places for holiday decorations, outdoor equipment, and seasonal clothing, as these will be items you’ll need to access at various points of the year.

Utilize Nooks & Crannies

Attics often have unique architecture, including nooks and crannies that are perfect for tucking away items. You can store smaller items in these spaces and free up room elsewhere for larger items. A great option if you’re stacking items together is to build suspended shelving that you can install between attic trusses!

Invest in a Label Maker

It’s a good idea to have a label maker on hand when organizing your attic. That way, you can label every box, bin, and bag so you know exactly what’s inside without having to open it. Be sure to create an organization and labeling system that makes sense for your needs so that you can find your items quickly when you need them!

Store Items in Clear Plastic Bins

When it comes to attic storage, placing items in clear plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes will make finding what you need simpler. Plastic bins are sturdier, easier to see into, and provide a better long-term storage solution. Plus, since they’re typically air-tight, plastic bins keep dust and grime away, and they prevent moisture from getting into your items, which is important when it comes to preventing mold.

Set Up Shelving

Adding wire shelving or built-in shelving is the ultimate storage room hack! This can help you better utilize the vertical storage space in your attic. Just be sure to keep items on shelves in the lightweight to medium range to best protect the integrity of your attic floors over a long period of time.

Hang Smaller Items

Hanging up items like wreaths, clothing, outdoor lights, and more can make them easier to access and keep your shelves open for larger items. Add wall hooks into wooden beams or walls. You could even consider adding ceiling hooks if you want to maximize your attic storage space, too!

Use a Clothing Rack

Have seasonal clothing, outerwear, or sports gear that you need to store? Set up a wall-mounted or rolling clothing rack in your attic to hang up extra clothes. This attic storage hack will make organizing your seasonal clothing easier, and it means you can avoid digging through bins and boxes to find items.

Mount a Pegboard

If you plan to store tools, cleaning supplies, or other utility items in your attic, consider mounting a pegboard to a wall. Pegboards allow you to customize how you store items by adding various hooks and shelves. It also keeps your items visible so you can quickly see where they are and grab them whenever you need them!

Add Drawers or Small Cabinets

Consider installing drawers or small cabinets in your attic space when storing small items. This will help you group specific items together and keep them organized so you know exactly where they are when you need them. You could even label the outside of drawers and cabinets to save time searching for items!

Clean Your Attic Regularly

Cleaning your storage areas on a regular basis is key to keeping away clutter! Go through and reevaluate your belongings to see if there’s anything you can get rid of. Dust, sweep, or vacuum nooks and crannies. And do another check for pests just in case!

Frequently Asked Questions About Attic Storage

Can I use my attic for storage?

Yes, most attics can be used for storage. Keep in mind that you may need to assess your attic space first to ensure that it’s structurally sound and can support the storage of your belongings. This means you may have to make improvements to your attic, such as adding plywood flooring and support beams.

What is safe to store in the attic?

Most household items are safe to store in an attic. However, some attics may be susceptible to both hot and cold temperatures. If you plan to store electronics, musical instruments, photos, personal documents, wine, or other sensitive items, you may want to consider renting a climate-controlled storage unit instead.

Does attic storage add value?

Attic storage does add value because it’s already part of your home. That means you don’t have to pay extra for storage space and can easily grab items when you need them.

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