Putting the Attic to Good Use

The Right Ways to Fix Up or Makeover Your Unused Attic Space

It isn’t hard to let your attic fill with up with old clothes, books you’ll never read, cobwebs, and perhaps even a stray bat or two. Many homes have dusty, dark attics used exclusively for storage, and that is simply not allowing these upstairs spaces to live up to their full potential. It’s a lot easier than you might think to reform your attics into bright, inviting living spaces that anyone can enjoy.

-Start with Cleaning Up-

If you’ve mostly ignored your attic for several months, or even years, it’s more than likely that that large amounts of dust, mold, and perhaps even pollen have collected in that space. Any of that getting into the air can lead to problems for you and your family, especially if there is anyone in the home with a history of allergies or breathing problems. Even if you don’t currently have plans to redo the attic, be sure that you are dusting and vacuuming in your attic regularly and thoroughly inspecting areas that may easily become damp and develop mold.

-Conversion Options Are Plentiful-

Whether it’s a game room, a guest bedroom, or perhaps a spare office, there is probably something you’ve always thought about adding to your home but don’t quite have the space for. The feeling of relative privacy and seclusion actually make your attic a perfect place to host guests, get work done, or just relax and entertain yourself. Of course, if you do decide on a finished attic, be aware of relevant building codes, as most require at least seven-foot ceilings for such projects.

-Windows Change Everything-

If, when you do venture into your attic, you cannot imagine it ever being put to use as a living space, one reason may be how dark it appears. Many attics come equipped with small, poorly placed windows, so they will seem badly lit and uninviting at any time of day. If you do find yourself wanting to redo your attic space, it should be a top priority to have windows that are well-equipped to allow lots of light into the room. Moreover, many building codes require multiple exits for bedrooms and windows often qualify as such if they are of a large enough size, so you will be killing two birds with one stone by installing them.

-Noise Could Be an Issue-

After all the work of redoing your attic, it would be pretty frustrating if you found that you could hear nearly every footstep or conversation from above while trying to work, sleep, or relax on the floor below. As part of the finishing process, it can be a good idea to add insulation beneath the floor of the attic, but there are many other methods that can be effective as well. Such solutions include putting in thick carpeting on the floor or even using a specific noise-dampening tape on the top of floor joists. Don’t be surprised if you have to use more than one of these tricks to effectively prevent noise from traveling downstairs.