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How many times have you looked up and felt that sense of guilt and overwhelm, thinking about that attic mess you never managed to tackle? Does it inspire fear in you? Would you like everything to just go away?
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Well, fear no more, because we have good news. Your attic can provide storage serenity when you first move in, downsize your home, or as part of a whole-house overhaul, as long as you know how to organize it properly.
To that end, here are several small attic ideas to whip your unsightly upstairs into a bright and accessible storage space for holiday decorations, heirlooms, costumes, clothing, and more.
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Small attic ideas: ways to use your space well
Before you can use our actionable organization solutions, it helps to conceptualize what you’re trying to get out of your attic. People use these folded attics (finished attics) and lofts for many creative purposes, including:
- Storage areas
- Children’s play zones
- Craft studios
- Small business processing spaces
- Writing retreats
… and even an extra guest room for events that cause overflow occupancy, or the unexpected occasional visitor.
Naturally, you’ll also use it to store seldom-used items, so consider the following tips also applicable to pure storage spaces and those that combine uses — depending on what you decide is best for you.
Start with a plan to maximize your time and space
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Rather than a range of small attic ideas, we wanted to help you truly visualize what the process looks like from start to finish. As a result, we’re providing you with a step-by-step plan to guide you from the messy early stages to the finishing touches of your new space.
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Plan the location where you will store items
If you’re using your attic as a combined space, then you obviously need to consider furniture and elbow room. First, decide where you will put beds, play areas, or desks, taking into account the same factors as in a normal room: windows, light, height (an important consideration in gabled attics), and other aspects.
On the other hand, if your attic is purely storage-oriented, you have the freedom to zone each wall or corner for different items. Set aside space for holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, sports equipment, clothes currently between kids, furniture, pet carriers, camping gear, and so on.
Stay safe by understanding the hazards
One of the best small attic ideas is also one of the most boring, which is to protect yourself and everyone from hazards that might be lurking at the top of your house. This includes:
- Loose insulation
- Poking nails and screws
- Jittery floors
- Ghosts
Okay, I was joking about the last one. More seriously, though, do a thorough inspection of the place with shoes on before you start moving items, and especially before bringing children into the room.
Also, make sure you create enough space to work. While it’s painful to take boxes out of the attic only to put them back in, a little space to move around will help you avoid straining your back, bumping your head, or otherwise injuring yourself.
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Unload unused items immediately
It’s helpful to set up a four-pile sorting system, which includes:
- Gift: Anything you think a family member or friend would want.
- Donations: For items you don’t want but still have plenty of useful life in them.
- Trash or dump: Some items simply have no life left in them.
- Items for sale: If you’re up for the challenge.
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Create an organizational structure
Once you have a basic layout for what goes where, create an organizational structure. If you have a lot of costumes or clothing, for example, this might mean setting up a closet. If you’re a decorative nut with seasonal items for every month of the year, buy organizational bins to manage the clutter.
It’s also helpful to plan for future cleanouts. How and when will you revisit your attic? What signs will you look for when deciding to do another overhaul? Keep a list of all the small attic ideas you’d like to try later, and make a commitment to yourself to help avoid the distress that comes from leaving a space unattended for too long.
Get storage if you need it
If you’re moving or need temporary housing during a renovation, consider renting a storage space for the time being. A storage unit is a great place to put your belongings while you install new floors and drywall, or to keep your things organized while you execute a move. If you need extra space, don’t hesitate to take advantage of your options.
At the end of the day, refreshing your home is always amazing, whether as part of a spring cleaning or a larger moving effort. These small attic ideas will help you refresh your upstairs without pulling your hair out or breaking a sweat.
And if you do break a sweat, give us one last tip… go ahead and bring a fan up there. Your future self will thank you!
Updated 10/17/18 from an initially published post on 1/29/13.
Read more at cileo-habitat.fr