7 Common Attic Storage Mistakes You Might Be Making (& How To Avoid Them)
Thinking of turning your attic into a storage haven? Before you start stashing away your stuff up there, here are the 5 things to consider to make sure the loft space is the right spot for it. Avoid costly mistakes by checking these first.
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If you’re lucky enough to have attic / loft space in your home, then you may well want to use it for extra storage.
That can be a fantastic luxury, but also comes with some pitfalls that should be avoided at all costs.
Let’s look at all the things to consider when thinking about storing your belongings up there – so you can avoid making mistakes, and instead make the most of that valuable space.
Mistake #1 – Not Checking for Leaks
Water can be hugely damaging to a home – and to the stuff in it. Even minor leaks can cause big problems.
The last thing you want to do is store items in a leaky loft.
As such, start by inspecting everywhere in the space for any stains or signs of moisture.
Donโt forget to check the ceiling below the attic too. Look around chimneys, vents, and other ceiling areas for potential leak areas.
TIP: Even in a moisture free attic, you’ll want to store items in air tight containers, and off the floor. That way you’ve future proofed for any leaks that could happen over time.
Mistake #2 – Not Checking Out The Floor
Your atticโs floor needs to support both you and your belongings.
As such, if you’re plan on storing heavy items or even just moving around up there, ensure the floor joists are strong enough before you do.
One option is to reinforce the floor with additional joists and plywood.
A sturdy attic floor is crucialโafter all, itโs also the ceiling of your living space!
Mistake #3 – Not Thinking About Access
How do you get into your attic?
If you need frequent access, installing a pull-down ladder can save you the hassle of struggling with other options (balancing on a chair, for example!).
It’s also a much safer way of accessing the space.
Along with YOU getting into the space safely – you need to consider how your stuff will get into it.
Have you got enough space to get that into it safely as well?
You may need to create a larger loft hatch, or even add stairs and a door – whatever makes storing what YOU need to, easier.
Mistake #4 – Not Thinking About Temperature
Attics can get extremely hot in summer and very cold in the winter.
This temperature fluctuation can be really damaging to certain items.
As such, it’s worthwhile adding insulation and improving ventilation to help stabilise the temperature.
Mistake #5 – Not Considering The Roof Structure
Some attics have complicated roof structures that can make storage really tricky.
As these beams etc… are essential for roof support they of course canโt be removed.
So, if your atticโs framing is too obstructive, it might be best to rethink using the attic for storage at all – as it may just be too frustrating to move around up there.
Mistake #6 – Not Using The Right Storage Containers
When I was in my early 20’s my parents moved from the house I had grown up in.
Myself and my siblings were tasked with going through all our stuff and deciding what we wanted to keep and what could be let go of – and this included all the kids stuff that we’d kept in the loft over the years.
I remember opening a bin bag full of my soft toys and being gutted.
The bag had a hole in the bottom where small animals had obviously got in and eaten through a lot of the cuddly toys.
They all had to be thrown away – and any that I wanted to keep for sentimental reasons were lost forever.
Don’t be like me!
Always store in plastic air tight containers – and avoid cardboard boxes or plastic bags at all costs!
Related: These Are The Things Everyone Should Declutter From Their Attic – ASAP!
Mistake #7 – Not Labelling Anything
If you’re going to store a lot of stuff in the space, it’s definitely worth labelling every container carefully.
Otherwise you’re going to have to open everything to find anything – and that’s going to painful for sure!
TIP: Why not number each container, and then have lists of what’s in them in your Home File? This means you can easily look through the lists before you even go up into the space – and you’ll just have to find the right numbered box. Also worth doing is labelling ALL sides of the container, in case you have to move it around and the wrong side is visible.

With the right preparation, your attic can become a really valuable storage space for your home.
Just make sure to avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll be able to use it safely and efficiently.
Related: 18 Things You Can Declutter From Your Loft Right Now So You Don’t Need To Store As Much!