Tips on Organizing Your Attic Storages

Adequate storage space is something that most homes  lack.  This is especially true for residences that don’t have a garage or a basements.  Fortunately, most houses have an attic that can be useful in storing unused things.  Instead of being a part of the house that just holds up the roof, attics can be of great help in storage placement through proper flooring, labeling, storing and stacking.

Begin by removing everything from the attic. If your attic doesn’t have a floor, simple sheets of plywood can quickly remedy that challenge.  Once the attic has flooring and is clear of whatever was being stacked there,  sweep out the area and check for any signs of water leakage in the roof. It is important to check for any roof problems as it may cause damage to your possessions and no one wants that.

Organizing the attic can be a very demanding. However, you can lessen the task by sorting it out into smaller convenient sections. Rather than using cardboard boxes which deteriorate over time and can be a breeding ground for cockroaches, opt for using plastic storage tubs.  Plastic storage tubs with lids are fantastic because they can protect your things better and you can see what’s in them.  Label them with “put away”, “throw away” and “give away”. Sort your unused items into the boxes. Make sure to only include items that are lightweight because the attic can only hold things that are not too heavy. You can also label your boxes into their areas of commonality. For example, Christmas decorations should be in one area tub and kitchen utensils and equipment in another.

Things that you might use throughout the year should be located near the access point to the attic. Items that are unlikely to be used should be stacked at the back. Avoid placing fragile things in the attic because the area is exposed to extreme heat and cold throughout the year and not all fragile items can stand up to those conditions.

Attics are good places for storage. Nevertheless, you have to assess and prepare it before using the space as such to avoid future problems. After the attic is inspected, arrange the labeled boxes properly according to the frequency of usage. When you have categorized and organized your stuff in your attic, it will be easy to find needed items.  The biggest bonus of all is that attic storage helps you de-clutter your main living space and frees up room on the main floor for those things that you use daily or at least frequently.  Have fun turning your attic into much needed additional storage room.

 

Pat Naselow
NMLS# 91665
PLN Mortgage Services – company NMLS#: 9250
Office: 425-452-5345
Cell: 425-531-1694
Fax: 206-774-2795
http://PLNMortgage.com

Enhancing Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Improving and beautifying one’s home not only includes stylish interiors, but exteriors play a part in the overall look of the house as well. One of the best places to star enhancing your home’s curb appeal is with front door, walkways, and driveways. These are the first things people notice when entering your home.  Particularly important for those homeowners who would like to sell their homes, the external appearance of the house can entice a potential buyer to explore and check out the property, or sadly, make them simply drive away.

The principal point of a home’s curb appeal is the front entry. Choose a color that will stand out or a statement material that can add that pop of interesting detail for the main entry into your home. You can also adorn it with polished and unique knobs.  Some homeowners like to use seasonal wreaths that will reflect your taste or tease guests on what to expect once they get inside. Another way to spice up your entryways is to decorate with accents such as matching sconces to the door knob’s material on both sides of the doorway. If you don’t have a specific hardware style in mind, you can always arrange other decorative items in a symmetric manner to enhance the appeal of the main entrance.

Outdoor lighting is another great way to enhance curb appeal.  You can use low-voltage landscape lighting to illuminate walkways, accent plants or trees, and provide safety by ensuring that there is light in these areas. Speaking of walkways, another way of sprucing up these paths is putting potted plants or shrubs along its length. You can also vary shapes and sizes for more appeal.

The list of curb appeal enhancements can go on and on.  You can add other fixtures such as mailboxes, arbors or fence panels, and even artsy stuff like sculptures, bird baths, or wind chimes which can be placed outdoors. Just be sure that what you put outside reflects the interiors or compliments the overall design of the house.

There are times when too much of a good thing is damaging.  Avoid overcrowding the entryway if you want a neat and clean look for the home’s exterior. Only put pieces that will highlight your home furnishing, not overshadow it.

As the saying goes…you only get one chance at a first impression.  Your home’s curb appeal is it’s first impression so make sure it’s a good one.

 

Pat Naselow
NMLS# 91665
PLN Mortgage Services – company NMLS#: 9250
Office: 425-452-5345
Cell: 425-531-1694
Fax: 206-774-2795
http://PLNMortgage.com