How To Organize Attic Storage System: 13 Simple Steps!

Do you find organizing your attic storage a dreaded or difficult chore? Looking for an easier way to organize your attic?

No worry!

We’re here to help you to manage the process. Here are our 13 simple, easy-to-follow steps on how to organize attic storage.

Read and follow them to make the entire process a bit easier.

How To Organize Attic Storage [Step-By-Step]

Rather than just providing you some tips and tricks, we like to help you demonstrate the process to follow from start to finish of attic organizing. So, we’ve included a step-by-step guide below to guide you from the very first messy steps through to the final touches of your attic.

Step 1: Gather the tools and supplies for attic organization

The first step in getting your attic organized is to gather all the necessary tools and supplies that will help you make organizing a breeze.

Organizing Tool Kit

Step 2: Clear out the attic storage

The second thing you need to do is clear every item out of the attic space. No matter what you have there- bins, boxes, cartons, Christmas decorations, fall décor, seasonal clothing- clear it all out.

Step 3: Make repair and light it up

Check the attic space and make sure it’s ready to put back everything in it. Repair anything that needs to be made to the walls, floors, or insulation. Ensure your attic has proper lighting. Here, you will get in-depth on how to install an attic ladder by yourself.

Step 4: Inspect the empty attic and deal with all types of pests

A dark and damp attic is the favorite habitat of pests. So, it’s essential to do a thorough inspection of the empty attic for pests and determine their hiding places. Don’t forget to wear shoes/boots to protect you from the dangers of jittery floorboards. It’s a good idea to get an expert or professional assistance.

Step 5: Clean the attic space

The next step is cleaning the entire attic area. Start cleaning with a broom. Sweep away all the cobwebs and dust. Clean the ceiling and walls. Don’t’ forget to clean the gutter & the attic window (if any). You may spray a mixture of half water and half vinegar onto the window glass and wipe them.

Step 6: Sort all the pieces of stuff

Based on what you need and what you don’t need- this is the step where your items will go. That means based on your necessity sort the things. It’s convenient to categorize them as:

• Keep items– Anything you need to use in future
• Giveaways– Items you think your friend or family members will want.
• Donations– The items that you don’t need but still good enough to be used
• Toss or dump– Some items that are damaged
• Sale item– If you’re ready for the challenge

Step 7: Get rid of junk- donate or toss

Now you have a pile set for rarely used or junk stuff- get rid of it. If you rarely use an item, it’s probably the right item to either toss or donates. Avoid keeping excess for the sake of “keeping excess.” What you rarely need or don’t need will just make a mess and collect dust. You may contact local charities and take steps to send those items you would like to donate. Put the unwanted or damaged items in trash bags and toss out them.

Step 8: Group your “keep” items together

Now you have a pile of items that you may need to use. Sort them by person, by season, or by any other category that makes sense to you. For example fall décor, Seasonal decorations such as Christmas decorations, summer clothing or sporting goods, picnic supplies, etc.

Step 9: Consider shelving, container or bins to organizing the items

Now is the time to decide how you’re going to organize all of those items that will be kept in your attic. Shelving is a great and inexpensive way to organize these items. If shelving isn’t possible, containers and bins are also great options to start. These little too large containers or bins are convenient to keep anything from documents to the blanket.

** Use clear plastic bins or containers instead of cardboard boxes. The clear plastic bins or container is easier to see into that will make finding your items simpler.

Step 10: Label everything in the attic

It’s a good idea to label or attach index cards to each box or container noting the contents of storage containers. Labeling will help you find out where the items are without digging through everything. You may use a handwritten label or purchase a label maker.

Step 11: Create a plan for storage zones/ areas

After you finish sorting, boxing and labeling, it’s time to organize them in the attic. Plan to create specific storage zones in the attic. Try to keep similar things together. This idea will help you quickly figure out where every item is. Additionally, this will make the process of finding and keeping back the items in your attic easier and quicker.

Some common attic zones:

• Seasonal clothing
• Holiday decoration
• Christmas decoration
• Sports equipment
• Children’s Toys
• Home improvement supplies
• Moving and packing materials

** No matter you access the attic space via an attic ladder or staircase, you’ll want to place your most frequently accessed items closer to the attic access spot. **

Step 12: Use hanging rods/hook/peg for hanging the decoration

Reuse the old picture hooks to store any decoration for quicker access. Hang items such as fishing rods, fire extinguishers, or anything else that you’d like to get off the floor.

Step 13: Maintain the organization system

Once you’ve organized the attic, be sure to maintain it. Pop in every few months to tidy. If you need to add more things, don’t break away from your organization system. Moreover, don’t forget to update your inventory list.

What Should Not Be Stored In The Attic?

#Wedding Dresses: Don’t store your wedding dress in the Attic. It’s better to keep them in the closet.

#Books and loose paper: Papers are porous. So, heat and humidity in the attics may damage them. If you require to store certain types of paperwork or “bills” or “college application papers, keep them in boxes.

#Extra Food: Food items kept in the Attic will make the pests welcome to visit, nest, and multiply.

#Anything you use very frequently: You shouldn’t keep anything in your Attic that you require using regularly.

Attic Organization Safety- A Caution or Two

• Be careful enough to the ventilation of your attic. Depending on how well ventilated is your attic, consider how much you store.
• Nothing should disturb insulation or block air vents in the attic.
• Cardboard boxes may become brittle with time and become a fire hazard. If your attic isn’t well-ventilated, avoid cardboard boxes. Use only plastic storage bins instead.
• It’s strictly forbidden that you shouldn’t store any flammable materials in your attic.
• Don’t store photographs, delicate fabric, electronics and any heat-sensitive items in the attic.

Remember!
The temperature in your attic may be 40-degree or more than the rest of your home in the summer and a lot cooler in the winter.

More Tips On Attic Organizing

• Keep the container, bins towards the eaves. It’ll help you gain a clear path into space.
• If you store any furniture in the attic, cover them with an old bed sheet to protect them from dust.
• Attach an inventory list (content and their location) near the attic door. You should update the list if you add more items or take items down.
• You can keep a running list of stuff on your iPhone of everything you store in the attic.
• At least once a year, review the contents and update the list.
• When reviewing the contents of container or bins, reconsider whether you actually need the stuff.
• It’s not essential to fill each bin or container initially. The half-empty container will handle future growth.

Finally, leave a few dryer sheets on some of the containers or bins in your attic. Next time when you enter your attic, you’ll be welcomed by the pleasant aroma rather than the musty, dusty smell.

So, are you ready to face the attic organizing challenges?

Thanks for reading our article on how to organize attic storage. We hope, these 13 easy-to-follow steps & tips, and tricks will help you a lot to transform your unorganized attic into an orderly room.

Follow the steps and freshen up your attic without breaking a sweat and tearing out your hair.

Keep your attic orderly and all safe!