Tired of a Cluttered Attic? Here are 5 Signs You've Got Too Much Stuff!
Signs Indicating Excess Clutter in Your Loft: Overcrowded Storage Spaces Result in Cognitive Overload
Getting a handle on your stuff, especially in the attic, can make all the difference in your home life. Here are 5 signs from expert organizers that you might need to declutter your attic stat!
1. Can't Find a Blasted Thing.
If you feel like you're on a never-ending treasure hunt every time you go up into the attic, you're probably dealing with too much clutter. As Di Ter Avest, founder of Diisorganized, puts it, "Digging through your attic shouldn't be an exhausting hunt. When your storage space is overloaded, your brain has to work harder to remember where things are, adding to your mental load. Constantly searching creates stress and eats up time that could be spent on enjoyable activities." [Pro Tip: Organization helps you better manage a big attic and even makes it easier to organize a small one.]
2. Hidden Treasures? Or Just Forgotten Stuff?
If you're storing things you can't even remember you owned, then you're essentially paying rent for items you don't need. "If opening a box feels like uncovering a time capsule of items you didn't even know you had, that's your attic telling you it's time to edit," says McCubbin. "Forgotten stuff equals unused stuff, which equals mental weight. Keep only what supports the life you're living now - not the one you lived ten years ago." [Pro Tip: Check out the 'Didn't Know' decluttering method for purging the past.]
3. Pest Central?
Unwanted critters, like rodents and insects, love a good cluttered attic. As McCubbin warns, vermin "loves nothing more than to make a happy nest in old paper, old cardboard, and old clothes. Keeping your attic organized, decluttered, and using proper storage containers will help keep the pests away." [Pro Tip: Store items in sturdy plastic bins with lids, such as the LocknLock Storage Container available at QVC.]
4. Dumping Ground for Everything Else?
Attics can easily become the catch-all for things that don't have a place in your home elsewhere, like items waiting to be donated or sold. But Ter Avest warns that this practice creates emotional clutter and hinders decision-making. "You should focus on setting boundaries with your home so it doesn't become a storage unit for other people's stuff - or your own 'someday piles,'" she says.
5. Does the Attic Weigh You Down?
Cluttered spaces can have a real impact on your emotional well-being. "If being in your attic leaves you feeling drained, irritable, or even a little sad, take that seriously," advises Ter Avest. "Clearing out physical clutter often brings surprising emotional lightness - that's the power of aligning your space with your well-being." [Pro Tip: A tidy home has numerous benefits, from reducing stress to improving your mood.]
Need Some Help Decluttering Your Attic?
Don't worry - we've got your back! Here are some items to consider for better attic organization:
- Three Colors - These storage boxes are air and water-tight, with a BPA-free plastic construction and handled lid for easy portability.
- Set of Two - These slim boxes are ideal for under-bed storage with a heavy-duty front handle and metal rods for support. Viewing windows make it easy to find the box you need quickly.
- Foldable - This storage bin features a clear panel to quickly view the contents at a glance, with a zippered flap door and sturdy metal wire frame.
And remember, "When your attic is overflowing, it's not just a home project, it's a signal," says Ter Avest. "With some focused decluttering and a mindset shift, it can become a space that works with you instead of weighing you down." So, let's tackle that attic together and reclaim that much-needed space! [Pro Tip: Be aware of the items you should never store in your attic.]
- Transforming your attic into a clean, organized space can improve your lifestyle, making it easier to find things and reducing your mental stress, such as using home-improvement solutions for better attic organization.
- Decluttering your attic can also help enhance the aesthetics of your home and garden, as home-and-garden design experts suggest that an organized attic can contribute to a more balanced and enjoyable living environment.
