Attic Storage Ideas

When you think of your attic, you might picture a dusty space filled to the brim with junk, antiques, and forgotten treasures covered in cobwebs. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, you can have a perfectly clean and organized attic that serves as a storage space for your belongings.

So, how do you organize your attic in an optimal way? We’re glad you asked! Here at Stor-It, we’ve created a helpful guide with all the best attic storage solutions Whether you’re moving into a space with an attic for the first time or looking to organize your current storage in the attic, we’re here to help make it a cinch. Follow along for the top attic organization ideas, from mounting pegboards to installing rods to make your upstairs area a viable storage space.

Storage Tip #1: See What You’re Working With

The attic storage tip in our guide has two parts. The first part involves doing an inventory of your belongings, and the second part includes assessing the size of your attic space.

To start, begin sorting through the items you plan to store in the attic. This might mean going through your belongings that already occupy that space or those you’d like to start storing there. Even though your attic offers an “out of sight, out of mind” type storage area, that doesn’t mean you should just stash away stuff you no longer use or even want. Avoid using it as a junk drawer. Instead, only store away belongings you want, need, and plan to use in the future.

To narrow down your belongings, make four piles: a keep pile, a fix pile, a toss pile, and a donate/sell pile. The keep pile is obvious; it should be the stuff you want to hold on to, while your fix pile will include belongings you still want that need repairs. Be honest with yourself and only keep those things you really plan to fix. Next, you can place broken or unwanted items into the throw-away pile, which will go in the trash or recycling bin. And finally, your donate or sell pile will include those belongings that are still in good shape but no longer serve you. These are the items you can donate, sell, or gift to your friends or family.

Now you can move on to the second part, which includes seeing how much storage space you have in your attic. Measure the room, and then assess the walls and clearance. Do you have space to place shelving or pegboards? Can you stack items from the floor to the ceiling? And is there enough room to walk around? Knowing the dimensions of your attic can help you determine the attic storage ideas that will best accommodate your space.

Storage Tip #2: Clear Out Your Attic

The best attic storage space is a clean and tidy one. Before moving anything into your attic, give it a good clean, sweeping away dirt and freeing crevices of dust. This is also a good time to inspect the space to ensure there are no signs of insects or critters, such as droppings, and check for any moisture, mildew, or mold. If you notice anything alarming about your storage space, be sure to address it before moving your items in.

While it’s always a good idea to start with a clean slate, we also recommend periodically cleaning and assessing your attic to prevent it from turning into the stereotypical cobweb-covered room.

Storage Tip #3: Find Storage Containers

Our next attic storage idea involves selecting your storage containers. While some people like to store their belongings in cardboard boxes, we suggest using clear plastic bins with lids. We prefer these because airtight lids help prevent dirt, dust, grime, and even critters from getting into your stuff. They’re also a great option because they’re transparent, giving you a better idea of what’s inside. What’s more, you can easily label them so you know exactly what’s stored in each bin.

If you aren’t able to get plastic bins, cardboard boxes are fine to use. Just be sure to seal them with packing tape and write on the outside so you know what’s in each box.

If you’re planning to stack these boxes in your attic, always place the heaviest boxes on the bottom.

Storage Tip #4: Install Shelving

If you have a structurally sound attic, placing shelves along the walls is a great way to give yourself additional space. Install sturdy shelves, put your cardboard boxes or plastic bins on them, and voila! Your storage in the attic will feel instantly organized.

Storage Tip #5: Mount Pegboards

Hanging pegboards is another easy DIY attic storage option. Simply mount some pegboards along a portion of the wall, and add hooks so you can hang your belongings from them. For instance, you might have a pegboard dedicated to your gardening tools, art supplies, or seasonal decorations. One added perk of this attic storage idea is that you can easily see and grab whatever you need without having to search around for it.

Storage Tip #6: Hang Hooks

If you really want to maximize your attic space storagepotential, hang some hooks on the walls or along the rafters. You can use hooks to hang everything from your holiday lights to extension cords, saving space and keeping them from getting tangled!

Storage Tip #7: Install Rods

Planning to store clothing? If so, rods are the ultimate attic storage idea. Installing them can practically transform your attic into your very own closet. Forget stashing your clothes in boxes. Instead, organize them by season and hang each item along the rod. With this setup, you can easily identify the “summer section” for your swimsuits and shorts and the “winter section” for your parkas, sweaters, and snowsuits.

Storage Tip #8: Place Frequently Used Items in the Front

If you know you’ll want to access certain items every few months, place them in the front (or in an equally accessible place) so you don’t have to rummage around looking for them. The belongings you don’t use very often, such as your antique silverware and family photo albums, can remain tucked in the back.

Storage Tip #9: Monitor Temperature and Humidity Levels

Attics are notorious for getting hot and humid, especially in the summer months. Keep that in mind when storing certain items. After all, some materials are sensitive to temperature, making them more susceptible to breaking, melting, bending, and cracking. For instance, wood and metal may expand under extreme heat, potentially causing them to swell, warp, and even shrink. Avoid storing temperature-sensitive or fragile items in attics that experience extreme heat.

Storage Tip #10: Avoid Direct Sunlight

Storing your items in direct sunlight in your attic won’t do you any favors, as it can fade and discolor certain fabrics and materials. If your attic has a window, be sure to assess where the sun hits to avoid ruining your belongings. Installing a window cover or blinds to lessen the sun’s rays is one simple attic storage solution to this problem.

Storage Tip #:11 Consider a Pulley System

Some attics are quite the obstacle courses. If yours is especially tricky, you might consider installing a pulley system. This can make it easier to bring your belongings in and out of the attic and keep you from throwing out your back in the process!

Storage Tip #12: Stay Organized

It’s easy to accumulate things over the years, and it’s even easier to toss them into the attic so that you don’t have to deal with them. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, if you continue to have that mindset over the years, you’ll quickly wind up with a messy, unorganized attic space. That’s why we suggest sorting through your attic storage at least once a year. Go through the same process of creating piles to ensure you’re not just keeping something because you don’t know what to do with it. If you don’t plan to use it, find a new home for it. And while you’re at it, give your attic space storage area a quick dust, as recommended in tip #2.

Learn More About Stor-It Today

Looking for Boise storage solutions? Look no further than Stor-It! We’re the premier storage provider in the Treasure Valley and the oldest and largest storage facility in the Gem State. We service Boise and neighboring areas, including McCall, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, and beyond. Whether you’re storing collectibles or looking for RV parking, we cover it all. Contact us today to find the ideal storage solution for all your needs!