Clean Up Your Home’s Catchall Areas
Attic & Basement
Many people consider their attic and basement to be nothing more than places to keep the junk they no longer need or at least don’t need right now. But if you aren’t keeping these spaces organized, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
Attic
If you haven’t done a thorough cleaning and sweeping of your attic in a while, remove as many items from the floor as you can and do this first. There’s no point in organizing items around piles of dust.
Keeping out-of-season clothing in the attic is a great way to save space in your closet. Invest in clothing racks and airtight garment bags so you don’t have to worry about your clothes collecting dust.
Divide your attic into sections so items will be easier to find. Keep lesser used items toward the back corners and items you need more often toward the entrance.
Be sure to keep anything that could be damaged or weathered by sunlight or water (i.e., photo albums) in protective storage bins away from windows.
Basement
Using sturdy wall shelving to hold boxes and tools can save floor space—opt for metal or plastic shelves, as wood can be damaged over time by moisture. You can also install shelves under the staircase for added space.
If you’re keeping unused furniture in the basement, place blocks underneath these pieces so they aren’t floor-level (in case water comes through the floor), and cover with a protective drop cloth.
Label all pipes and wires to power, gas, and water sources in case you need to shut them off in an emergency.
Group items into clear bins by season or holiday, and label the contents of each so you don’t have to dig through each one to find what you’re looking for. Keeping heavier items toward the bottom of the bins will make them easier to lift.
Posted in June 2020 on Apr 12, 2020