If you’re fortunate enough to have an attic, then you know what a boon loft storage can be. But are you making the most of your attic’s storage capacity?
Organising your attic in the right way can do a lot to make your life easier. In this post, we’ll look at a few simple ways to help you get the best from your house’s attic storage, without storing up problems for the future.
Decluttering your loft
Unless you’ve just moved in, it’s likely that your attic’s already quite full. Seasonal clothing, suitcases, childhood souvenirs and family heirlooms… If you don’t have the time to deal with it and you don’t want to throw it out, it’s all too easy just to shove it in the attic and forget all about it.
So the first step to making intelligent use of your loft storage is to go through what’s already in there and decide what to keep. This can be a time-consuming process and quite emotional, but it will save you a lot of time and trouble in the future. And remember, you don’t have to just throw out the things you won’t keep for yourself if they’re in decent condition. Gifting, selling and donating can all be meaningful ways to give your unwanted items a new life.
Organising your attic storage
Once you’ve got the contents of your attic down to the bare minimum, it’s time to think about how to organise the rest. Repack your possessions into labelled storage boxes – or, ideally, airtight plastic containers, making sure each piece goes in dry and intact. This will keep them safe from common attic storage hazards such as damp, dust and pests. Then arrange the boxes in the attic, making sure to place anything you’ll need to access within easy reach. It’s a good idea to keep an inventory as you go, with photographs of each item.
Bear in mind that some things should not be stored in your attic at all. Books are sensitive to environmental conditions so should be kept out of your attic or garage. The same goes for papers, especially important ones. Leather clothes, bags and shoes, vintage clothes – which require special care – electronics, wooden items and photographs are also best stored elsewhere.
Loft conversions to maximise space
If you’ve got the budget, a loft conversion can be a great way to maximise your attic space. The right designer and building contractor can transform your attic into another fully liveable room in your house, adding flooring and insulation, windows and even an en-suite bathroom. However, you’ll have to secure planning permission and comply with the building regulations. This may not apply if you choose to reinforce the floor of your attic for storage purposes only, a process known as “boarding”. But you should still check with your local authority before deciding to go ahead.
Self-storage: a flexible solution
If your attic storage can’t hold everything you need to store, our flexible and transparent domestic self-storage solutions are a great way to free up space in your home. For an affordable weekly rate, you can rent the secure personal storage unit that best suits your current needs, scaling up and down as needed. Interested? Contact our friendly team today for a free, no-strings quotation.