By J. A. Young

Household space can be an endless battle with organization. Lack of space may mean revamping the entire house to reflect the way you live so you can live clutter-free. Sometimes homes can be fitted with useful additions, or more frequently you can make the most of the space you already have. The following article suggests how you might use your attic for storage and other uses that will impact your whole household - for the better!

The glorified closet. Yes, there can be such a thing as a luxury-size closet, and your attic is an ideal place for most storage items, provided it is outfitted properly and easily accessed. Keep in mind that heat rises, so before you store books, papers and other dry materials, take proper care to ensure against fires. When designing your attic closet, shelving units set in aisles so that both sides are accessible will be a boon for good organization. Holiday supplies are typically stored there, but other uses might be seasonal clothing or unused household items like dishes, typewriter, sewing machine, etc.

A personal clothing closet complete with vanity may be just what a woman needs to keep her bedroom clean and clutter-free. Attics can be transformed into dressing rooms by adding shelving, hooks, armoires, mirrors and dressing tables. This could double as a household sanctuary as well. When making it over, include special shelving for shoes, hats and other articles of clothing. Proper lighting will be needed, so consulting an electrician may be in order. This type of use may seem like a luxury, but it will keep your personal items in good order and mean less clutter in the lower portion of your house.

The craft room. Spare rooms can be hard to come by in houses with several children. The attic is a great place to revamp into a craft area where your supplies may be left out and always kept ready to be used. In fact, crafters who

are able to leave their sewing machine and supplies left out may find that they sew much more than if they continually had to pack and unpack these items for each usage. Outfit your new space with a large table with storage shelving beneath - this is ideal for any number of crafts. Shelving and adequate lighting will also be necessary to complete your new space. Decorations are optional, but this is another great use of attic space.

Spare bedroom. This use of an attic space is always a quaint and charming addition to a home. A twin bed, nightstand, dresser and armoire are ideal items for any bedroom. Because attics are usually set off from the rest of the house, you may be inspired to try a completely different style décor: Colonial American; a themed room such as dolls, butterflies, dogs or cats; a single color room; Victorian, etc.

An attic library and office makes for an extremely useful space that can afford privacy as well as solitude for reading and work. Built in shelving and desks made in rich wood makes for an elegant study. Search online or antique stores for desk lamps and lighting fixtures with old-world character. A special collection of rare books may best be preserved in an attic study away from prying sticky fingers of those you may love best - but love better when they cannot ruin these prized possessions.

Finally, consider your attic space for a children’s play center. You can transform your attic - providing is has a safe entrance - into a special nursery for toys and kids to make into their own. Shelving for games, books and other toys is essential, but big objects like dollhouses or drum kits can be set up without cluttering your children’s bedrooms. If your attic boasts a window, be certain it is locked and has adequate safety measures to guard against accidents and fires. Install a window seat with an optional storage cabinet beneath for extra charm.