Good attic storage ideas are vital for a well-organized, easy-to-maintain home. Without them, clutter can build and overflow into your main living areas.
But how do you turn these dark, often humid hollows into the perfect storage haven for your home?
Professional organizers have shared their 10 best storage ideas to help you make the most of your attic.
Attic storage ideas
Whether you need to organize a big attic, or are looking for tips for storage in a small attic, these professional home organizers have a solution for everyone.
1. Secure the floor
Before suddenly loading a lot of storage weight into your attic, you should double-check that your attic is safe, and address key safety concerns.
Meghan says, ‘When setting up storage areas within the attic, ensure clear pathways in between the different zones and stacks of containers, and be sure to lay boards across areas that you could put a leg through or avoid storing near these areas altogether.’
You can call on a structural contractor to assess if your attic flooring is suitable for supporting weight, or help you improve the integrity if it is not.
2. Use plastic bins over cardboard
There are some things you should never store in cardboard – and that goes for anything you keep in your attic.
Amélie Saint-Jacques, professional home organizer and owner of Amélie Organizes, begins, ‘To protect your items, I recommend storing them in plastic bins rather than cardboard, with the caveat that items like clothing should not be stored in plastic long-term.
‘The size of the bin will depend on the contents. You want to make sure you don't put a bunch of small items in a large bin because they will become inaccessible, and you also want to make sure that when it's full, it's not so heavy that you can't move it. Some people need to see what's inside the bins, but that drives other people crazy, so decide if you want clear or opaque bins.
Expert recommends
Amélie highly recommends these stackable, clear storage bins for people who like to be able to see everything in a glance, and prefer visual accessibility over aesthetic labelling.
Expert pick
Easily stressed by the visual clutter of open storage? Amélie recommends these opaque bins instead. Just be sure to label well to make finding items easy.
Expert approved
Amélie suggests picking these study moving bags for attic storage where you do not want or need sturdy totes. They can squish more easily into awkward corners and onto shelving where space is tight.
3. Install adjustable shelving
Much like garage shelving ideas, attic storage benefits greatly from adjustable shelving units, helping to keep items off the floor and make use of vertical height.
Kim Corey, professional home organizer and owner of Finally Sorted, shares, ‘These adjustable shelving units, from Amazon, offer good vertical space to store bins for storing off-season, holiday, memories, or anything else you need to get out of the main house. They are easily broken down into smaller components to make them easier to move around and get into awkward areas, as attics often are.
‘If your attic is not tall, you might consider building out the eaves with simple vertical and horizontal boards to hold storage bins,’ Kim adds. ‘This method will use the often lost space in the corners of the attic where the roof meets the floor.’
If you do not fancy building shelves as a weekend DIY project, it might be a sign to call the pros to build shelves that are safe and secure for you.
4. Keep a labeled inventory
One of the most common storage mistakes people make is organizing everything into bins and then forgetting where things are. This is especially prevalent in attics, which can quickly become dumping grounds.
To keep everything neat, Amy Berryhill, home organizer and owner of Spiffy Chicks, says, ‘Labeling is crucial in an attic. Because lighting tends to be poor, I recommend labeling all four sides and the top of each bin. That way, no matter how items are placed back, you’ll always be able to read the label.’
Amélie adds, ‘Keeping track of what's in each bin is important! Some people like putting QR codes on boxes for easy scanning, while others prefer labelling them with a simple roll of masking tape and a marker [we suggest using Sharpies, from Walmart, so they do not rub off]. Either way, keep like with like and try to have a clear inventory on hand. It's also a good idea to reassess what you keep in there every few years, based on how long it's been since you've used it and whether the items are still important to you.’
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Kim says, 'This QR system allows you to review the contents of your attic anywhere in the world by viewing what you have entered into the database.' This can stop you from buying duplicates, saving you time searching for items, and money.
5. Group like items
As you would with any home organizing ideas, it is best to group similar items together in your attic storage to make navigation simple.
Audra George, professional home organizer and owner of Pretty Neat: An Organizational Solution, says, ‘Group like items together in bins and labels. For example, keep all the Christmas decor together, Fall decor together, and so on. Label accordingly so you know what is in the bins, and you do not have to go through all the bins to find what you are looking for.’
The DYMO label maker, from Walmart, comes highly rated from shoppers who love that it is easy to use, prints clearly, and has several options for text fonts and size.
6. Ensure good lighting
Unless you have undertaken an attic conversion, the lighting ideas in your attic may leave a little to be desired. However, Audra insists, ‘Good lighting also helps in an attic. Use bright light bulbs and illuminate your attic so you can find what you are looking for.’
Amy adds, ‘If hardwired lighting isn’t an option, place a battery-operated lantern [like these collapsible battery-operated lamps from Walmart] near the entrance so you can shed some light when you need it.’
This set of four hanging battery lightbulbs, also from Walmart, is another helpful option for areas where you cannot install hardwired lighting.
7. Hang items
Shelving is not the only way to use vertical storage to save space – you can hang items, too.
Meghan Cocchiaro, professional organizer and owner of Organized by Meg suggests, ‘Utilize the exposed wood beams (as most attics have unfinished walls), by installing hooks or even more simply, nails, to hang holiday decor such as wreaths, that don't necessarily need to be in a container.’
These simple wall hook board, from Target, is perfect for attic wall space, while these basic screw in hooks, also from Target, can make use of structural beams on the ceiling or at awkward angles.
This also helps you make better use of the awkward corners and contours of your roof. Amy adds, ‘Corners in attics are often overlooked, but they’re perfect for storing large, odd-shaped items like tree stands or oversized Halloween decorations. For wreaths or other items that can be hung, hammering a nail into a stud lets you use vertical space without taking up valuable floor area.’
8. Combat moisture
You must ventilate an attic, not just for structural integrity, but to protect your attic storage ideas, too. Maintaining the best humidity levels for a home year-round can help prevent mold and mildew, while fending off odors and making your attic less favorable to pests.
Traditionally, you would use the best dehumidifiers to maintain humidity, but this can prove expensive to leave running in an attic all the time. Instead, improve ventilation using built-in vents, and consider longer-term solutions that you can replace for inside storage boxes, such as desiccant packs.
Kim shares, ‘This set of 15 desiccant packs from Amazon will be sure to keep your stored items dry and safe from moisture damage.’
9. Go big with a lift
It is one of the most expensive home renovations, but installing an attic lift can take your attic storage ideas to the next level, making it easier to put items away.
Kim says, ‘If you really want to go big and don't want to/can't lift bins to attic spaces, consider this space lift, from Amazon. You can be sure you will get your things to the attic without straining if you are physically compromised.’
Installing a lift is a home project you shouldn’t DIY, so consider consulting a contractor for the best solution for your space.
10. Keep it tidy
Although there are some tidying habits to quit for an easier life, neglecting your attic is not one of them. Amy concludes, ‘Finally, the real key to a tidy attic is to declutter as you go. If you're pulling out holiday decorations and find yourself skipping over certain items year after year, that's your cue to donate.
'Timing your donations just before the holiday season makes them more likely to be accepted – and more likely to be useful to someone else.’
FAQs
Is attic storage worth it?
Attic storage is 100% worth it, helping to keep less-used but important items out of your main living areas, reducing clutter and stress. It is also a very efficient use of space if you are not planning on converting it into another livable room.
Does attic storage add value to a home?
Well-maintained and planned attic storage space can add value to your home, as storage is a highly sought-after feature of any property. Keeping it clean, well-lit, and tidy can help sway buyers looking for more space in a new property.
Meet the experts
No matter how you arrange your attic storage ideas, there are some items you should never store in an attic to keep them safe from humidity and temperature fluctuations – it’s well worth checking to keep your items and your stuff in top condition.