Having a functional attic is very convenient, but did you know that most homeowners waste valuable attic space?
While most people don’t know what to do with their attic, we see the attic as an untapped storage opportunity.
Instead of having a dusty crawl space, you can take advantage of your attic space with solutions such as the Versa Lift attic elevator and wisely store your things away in your ceiling.
If you know the ceiling’s storage potential but have been put off by storing anything up there, check out these garage ceiling storage ideas that will help you turn your attic into an efficient storage space.
Best Attic Storage Ideas (Reviews)
Hauling boxes up the ladder is risky, but it doesn’t have to be that way. These attic storage ideas include the use of an attic storage lift, which does all the hard work for you and helps you wisely manage your attic space.
Versa Lift is one of the most well-known attic storage lift solutions, so the chances are you’ve been seeing them around.
32WHXX is a very solid model that offers wireless remote control, and it’s built for overhead storage, with heavy-duty motorized access in mind.
The reason this attic storage lift stands out is the floor-to-ceiling height, which is a range between 17 to 20 ft. This is ideal for households that have high ceilings. If you were wondering if it’s possible to install an attic storage lift in a home with high ceilings, this model is your answer.
This specific attic storage lift model is ideal for homeowners who would like to take advantage of their attic space to store bulky or heavy items. You can forget about the ladder use and get a safer access that can lift heavier items you otherwise couldn’t get up to your attic.
The load capacity is 250 lbs., with the platform size being 28 ¾ W x 56” L. Therefore, you would need the opening size of approximately 30 ½ x 58 ½.
You will require careful and precise installation. If you’re confident in your DIY skills and have the tools you need, you can most likely manage the installation yourself. However, if you’d like to get professional help, we are partners with Assembly Help, so you can get their help and they’ll install any of the products you purchase through our store with ease.
The platform is made of powder-coated steel, so it’s built to withstand heavy and regular use even in high-ceiling homes, as it can handle a range of 20 ft.
It’s also worth mentioning that this platform isn’t ideal if you have lower ceilings in your home and if you have a smaller attic. For that, Versa Lift has similar attic storage lift solutions.
If you require a very heavy-duty attic storage lift, Aladdin might be the right solution for your needs. This storage lift system can handle up to 500 lbs of storage load, which allows you to store very heavy and bulky items you probably couldn’t store before.
We believe this is a great storage lift for storing heavy seasonal gear, large boxes, bulky tools, items, and anything you’d want to keep in the attic, regardless of how frequently you use it.
There’s no manual crank required with the Aladdin storage lift, as it comes with a dedicated 115 V electrical circuit and a 7.2 A motor. The lift being motorized ensures you can lift things up or down with the touch of a button, safely and securely.
What’s also great about this storage lift is that it’s versatile, so it can fit joists from 2x8 up to 16” tall. With the storage lift coming preassembled, the installation is made easier, so if you’re confident in your DIY skills, you might be able to install it yourself.
However, if you’re unsure, it’s always better to get professional help. Once the Aladdin is installed in your home, the only thing you’ll have to think of is how to organize the things on the heavy-duty platform and how to organize things in your attic.
With the Aladdin storage lift, you’ll also get a 5-year parts warranty. This just proves that Aladdin was designing their storage lifts to operate trouble-free for years.
When you have a lower ceiling in your home and the 32WHXX model from Versa Lift isn’t a good fit, 32CH is the right way to go.
Versa Lift 32CH is very similar to the previously reviewed model, as it’s also a motorized attic storage lift. The main difference lies in the floor-to-ceiling height. This model is a great fit for a range of 11 to 14 ft.
The remote control is 15 feet long, and it comes with a push button. Keep in mind that the remote isn’t wireless.
The platform capacity is 250 lb, and the size is 35 cu ft of space, so you can haul a decent weight and a variety of items (from smallest to largest) without worrying about safety.
By ticking all the boxes of capacity, access, safety, and usability, you'll have everything you need to never worry about storage ever again.
The only consideration is the installation. Your home must fit the floor-to-ceiling height between 11 to 14 ft. The platform dimension is 28 ¾ W x 56” L, so the required ceiling opening is approximately 30 ½ x 58 1/2.
Also, keep in mind that this attic storage lift isn’t suitable for transporting people, so you’ll need another access point to your attic.
Installation is quite straightforward, but if you would prefer professional help, we've got you covered. We’re partners with Assembly Help, so no matter which attic storage lift you choose, you can have Assembly Help professionals install it for you.
Versa Lift 24M is specifically designed for homes where the floor-to-ceiling height is between 8 to 11 feet. That’s the standard height for the 24 version from Versa Lift. The M stands for the wall-mounted switch specification, which is quite useful.
For everyone who prefers a switch that also comes with a cable but isn’t wall-mounted, check the 24CH version, or if you prefer a wireless remote, definitely check out the 24W version.
The platform comes with a 200 lb lift capacity, and the platform’s design is compact. The mechanical aspects of this attic storage lift bring safety and the ability to store heavier items up in the attic without having to deal with the ladders and risk of potential injuries.
The platform’s size is 20 ¾ W x 44” L, and the recommended frame opening is approximately 22 ½ x 46 ½. While it’s not one of the biggest platforms out there, you can still store moderately heavy and big items. You’d be surprised how it can fit big holiday bins, sports gear, and large tools and equipment.
Just like every other Versa Lift attic storage solution, this model is built using powder-coated steel for improved durability and reliability. Skilled DIYers can handle the installation with the correct tools, but if you are unsure if you can do it, we highly recommend our partner Assembly Help. Their professionals can help install any of the products you purchase through our store.
How to Organize Your Attic Storage
An attic storage lift can help you get things up to the attic. Some people are fine with leaving things on the platform; however, others like to organize their attic further and use all the available space.
Depending on the style of your attic and how much space you have up there, we recommend choosing one or a few:
-
Built-in shelving and racks
-
Storage containers and boxes
-
Flooring systems
-
Pull-down storage systems
Built-in shelving and racks are one of the most practical ideas. With a variety of modular racks on the market, you can easily ensure that anything you store in the attic can be organized.
If you’ve been reading our blog posts, you’d notice that we’re big fans of wall storage. It’s an often unused space, so we highly recommend turning empty walls into vertical storage when possible.
Boxes and containers can make a huge difference in organization, but they also protect the items from dust and debris. That’s why it’s important to choose the right box and container types, as they can make a huge difference.
Stackable plastic bins are a great option as they can protect items from dust, moisture, and pests. Transparent ones are our favorite, as you can quickly know what’s in there, but if not, labels can be your next best friend.
Our recommendation is to look into weather-resistant or reinforced totes for long-term storing (ideal for seasonal items).
While many people like to organize things in cardboard boxes, we’re not a huge fan. If your attic experiences temperature differences, cardboard boxes can weaken and attract mold.
Attic flooring systems are your best way to keep your movements in the attic safe and comfortable without tripping over things. Such flooring systems are lightweight and modular, and you can easily install them yourself. Just look out for the ones that can handle significant weight since you’ll be storing your containers and boxes on top of them. Also, it’s up to you to decide if you’d like to install attic flooring to the whole attic or just sections where your storage will be.
We like how right flooring systems can turn fragile crawl spaces you would often ignore into usable storage space.
Oh, and you remember the pulleys that you can install in your garage? They’re a great option if you have a large attic and can safely install pulleys. While this might be overkill for some, it’s a great option for everyone who has more things to store than space in their home.
Installing Attic Storage Lift & Practical Considerations
If you decide to install the attic storage lift yourself, understand that it takes careful planning to get everything done right. This not only means a successful installation, but also ensures safety during the installation and even after the installation, during the use of the storage lift.
The most important thing to do, even before purchasing the attic lift, is to measure your floor-to-ceiling distance. You have to confirm the chosen attic lift matches the height of your measurements.
Most lifts have a defined range, which you could see in our reviews.
After that, you have to check if your ceiling and attic opening have enough space required by the platform. Every quality attic storage lift you’re looking into will have this information displayed. That’s the second most important measurement you have to get right.
After you know your measures and find the lift, only then can you choose the controller type. The most popular ones are corded remotes, which are sometimes mounted to a wall, and wireless remotes. All lifts require electrical power (115 V), so that’s also another requirement.
When loading the platform, distribute the weight evenly and figure out from which side you will be loading the platform. If you decide to keep things stored on the lift’s platform, we recommend storing the often-used items near the front of the platform for easier access.
If you’re offloading things in the attic while organizing the space up there, think of the headroom and attic clearance, both for you and for the moving parts of the elevator.
Lastly, regularly check your attic storage lift’s cables, motors, and safety stops to ensure everything is working properly. Maintain it regularly per schedule, and your attic storage lift will be operating efficiently for a long time.
Conclusion
Taking advantage of your empty attic space doesn’t have to be a challenge or a risky task. There are so many ideas and the right solution that can make it happen. There’s a quality attic storage lift for every household, and it’s most likely that Versa Lift has it (you don’t even have to look elsewhere).
What would you store in the attic? How often do you think you would take advantage of the attic storage lift?
