There are around 300,000 items in the average American home. And since you want to learn how to organize an attic, chances are many of your 300,000 items are in your attic!
It’s all too easy to hoard possessions when they are out of sight.
If you are planning an attic renovation or want to organize your attic storage, here is how to do so in five simple steps.
Step 1: Remove Everything From Your Attic
Many people take one or two boxes at a time from their attic to organize. They shuffle a few bits around, throw out a document or toy and then take the boxes back up again.
Want to learn how to organize an attic in a way that will stick? Bring everything down from your attic at once.
Yes, everything. Set aside a weekend, carry it into your living room or another large space, and witness how much stuff you own. Realize how much of it you do not even remember buying or keeping.
Sometimes, only shock therapy will stop you from storing too much stuff again!
Step 2: Clean and Renovate Your Attic
While your attic is empty, this is the perfect time for a spring clean and perform any maintenance. You cannot replace floorboards, hide wires, add lighting or repaint with your stuff in the way.
If you are planning on using some of your attic space after your attic cleanout, work out how much space you need.
Step 3: Ask Important Questions
This is the tough part of cleaning out an attic. You will need to examine every single item that was in your attic and ask the following questions:
- Am I going to use this item within the next year?
- Does this item add value to my life?
- Do I love this item and is there any sentimental value?
But just because an item gets ‘used’ that doesn’t mean it’s useful. For example, even though you use all the holiday decorations you currently own, you could still scale back.
And remember, the more sentimental items you own, the less sentiment they hold. Do you need to keep every single doll your children played with? Or is just one or two enough?
Next, you will either need to sell, donate, or throw away the items you no longer want. Find a “dumpster rental near me” to throw away large items like broken furniture or suitcases.
Step 4: Invest in Quality Storage
Next, choose high-quality, long-lasting storage for your attic organization. Cardboard boxes aren’t made to last years and years. Plus, they don’t protect your belongings from mold or insects.
Instead, choose plastic boxes that you can see through. Or if your attic is a liveable space, install strong shelving units.
Step 5: Sort Everything Into Groups
As you sort all your belongings into their new storage, keep things in groups. Put books, costumes, decorations, etc. into their own box and label them.
And when you take everything back up, keep them in their own part of the attic. Items you won’t need as often (Halloween costumes) go to the back, and items you will definitely need (suitcases) keep within easy access.
Now You Know How to Organize an Attic!
It’s simple, but it’s not easy. Learning how to organize an attic and organizing the attic itself are two very different things! But set aside the time, order takeout, and you will soon have a clean and organized attic.
Check out our other articles for more home improvement tips.
