What do you keep in your loft? For most of us it's usually Christmas decs and a whole of load of things we don't use on regular basis, but don't want to throw away. Although this storage space can be useful there are plenty of other more practical ways to maximise the space in your loft.
The good news is regardless of how wide, high or bright your loft space is, there are a whole host of ways to make maximum use of that area depending on what you want to do with it.
You might have a grand vision in mind to transform it into a spare room that could be used by family and friends, or perhaps to rent out the extra room as furnished accommodation to help make extra money. Lofts can also be converted into home offices that offer privacy, silence and an independent space for work.
If these transformations are not on your agenda and the goal is to create an organised storage space that doesn't make you dread climbing up into your loft, then a declutter and cleaning session may be in order. You will be surprised at how well your loft can function as an effective space once you discover how to work the nooks, slopes and hollow gaps to your advantage. With minimal expenses and lots of creativity, you can transform your loft into a haven for storage or personal use with these loft storage ideas to get you started.
1. Floating shelves
As far as loft shelving ideas go, adding floating shelves in your loft is a brilliant idea to make use of those free walls or the space between wooden beams to create flat surfaces that can hold boxes. These shelves can be installed quite easily with DIY shelves that can be purchased and according to your space and the location, it can be used to store seasonal items like Christmas or Easter decorations that can be stored high up as it does it not have regular use. These shelves can also hold your winter or summer clothes while you rotate your wardrobe if you make sure they are well packed. Make sure you are not using these floating shelves to keep very heavy items as that could exert too much pressure on them.
2. Angled shelving
If you are struggling for more space, then you will delighted to know that those slanted roofs and triangular walls can be transformed to accommodate edgy and efficient angled shelving to hold sturdy things like books, tools or other heavy items. All you need to do is grab a tape measure and note down the dimensions before you go shopping to find the right shelves that will fit snugly into your corners and angles.
3. Standing or leaning shelves
If you are not a fan of drilling holes into your walls for the shelves to hang from, then these ladder stands or leaning stands can be the perfect loft storage solution for you. These stands can be propped onto sturdy walls and they can serve as a good vertical storage shelf.
4. Eaves storage ideas
When it comes to loft storage ideas, making good use of your eaves and that low space under them is crucial. Eaves can be utilised by purchasing horizontal storage units that can fit under your eaves to store anything ranging from shoes to heavy machinery. As long as your make sure the floor underneath is sturdy, these spaces can also be converted into a personal study with a table and chair positioned underneath. As long as you will be able to stand without hitting your head on the roof, this is a good idea. However, if the space is too low and you do not use the loft as a separate room, this is also good space to stash your suitcases or other rarely used items.
5. Cardboard boxes for loft organisation
While this sounds like a no-brainer, cardboard boxes can often pile up and you’ll lose track of what you have and where they are. This is why it is important to label your boxes, invest in different colours or types to suit the contents and to quickly differentiate your items.
6. Add hanging rods
These rods which can be nailed to walls, hung from beams or stuck onto surfaces are a great way to utilise space and store small items if you do not want to invest in large shelves. Lighter items like clothes, decorations or spare bedding can be hung up in bags. They can also be used to hang small tools or compact shelves that can be hooked on.
7. Walk-in wardrobe under your eaves
Adding hanging rods, a clothes rail or shelves under your eaves is a brilliant hack for getting that walk-in closet you have always wanted. This is an eaves storage idea that can transform your wardrobe and room. This is also a great place to keep a separate clothes rail that can hold all the garments you want to wear a couple more times before washing. Short shelves can also be put in to hold your shoes which will give you a complete closet makeover.
8. Incorporate sliding doors
Installing cabinets or shelves with sliding doors that can fit under the eaves will make a great storage space where you can keep things dust-free and clean. A door will keep moths or small bugs from getting to your items easily. Sliding doors can also be attached to your eaves to use the space as it is.
9. Organise by season
Your loft space would look a lot less cluttered if you take the time to segregate things according to season, use or people who handle the items. For instance, if there is personal memorabilia collected by your kids over the years, it might be worth sitting down separating them into different boxes for each person. Similarly, seasonal clothes and festive decorations can be labelled and stored separately.
10. Waterproof boxes
Invest in plastic boxes or containers that are waterproof to keep important items like old certificates, textbooks or diaries if you are concerned about damp environments getting to the things. It will also prevent dust and insects getting into your paperwork.
11. Use room dividers for loft organisation
If your loft space is vertically spacious, then investing in a tall room divider that comes with shelves would be a great way to organise and segregate items in your loft. This purchase would also work if you are using it as a room as it can offer a partition that can separate one area from another.
12. Create a reading corner
If you are using your loft as an additional room, the space under your eaves is the perfect spot to lay out a rug and a cosy armchair to create a reading nook in your room. The windows that are usually positioned above will provide a bright ambience with light and for once, the rain will be a welcome company as white noise pattering away on the window above you.
FAQs
What is the best way to organise your loft?
Start by installing lighting in your loft if you don’t use it as a room. Working in a well-lit space would help you feel more comfortable and make good use of the space later on as well. You can make the most out of your loft starting by understanding the space first. If the area you are working with is low, then invest in short furniture or deep bins to use for storage and if your loft has a higher roof, then vertical storage solutions, rods and shelves would work the best. Depending on the kind of things you are looking to store, it would also help to have a segregation plan in place before you get started on organising items into their designated spaces.
How do I make my loft suitable for storage?
Before you decide to take all your clutter up into your loft it is important to make sure the floors are sturdy to hold the weight and only store things accordingly. If not, you can consider boarding up your loft to create a more solid space with the help of experts. Check if your loft traps moisture or if it is damp, in which case you may have to handle those issues first before moving more items up. Make sure there are no holes in the walls that can let in bugs. You may also want to consider loft insulation if the items you intend to store are temperature-sensitive.
How much does it cost to board a loft for storage?
If you are looking to board your loft on your own, experts feel you can calculate the costs by considering that a 18mm chipboard would cost around £10 for a sheet of 2400m x 600mm and insulation boards would be around £20 per sheet. You can arrive at an estimate depending on the size of loft space. However, you can hire professionals to do the job if you are looking at a renovation that is more complex and want to add other permanent structures to your loft space as well. Several companies offer different loft packages starting from £990 on average.
Akhila Thomas is a digital writer at Yours.co.uk. With a background in literature and communication, she loves writing about beauty, fashion, food, culture and lifestyle. She is an avid reader, and a good plot can keep her up for hours. She also likes to travel and explore new cultures and cuisines.