Attic alert!

Whenever I go to my grandmother's house, there is one place that I never forget to visit — the attic.

From small chairs, suitcases to some attractive utensils and forgotten knick-knacks, it’s really a treasure hunt.  City homes may not have big attics but they do have a smaller version of the same.

Attics help you store things which you may find unnecessary for regular use, but you will need them when there are guests or during festivals or when you are planning to travel like your big fat suitcase, that extra mattress, folding chairs, big utensils, decorative lights etc.

There are some things you need to keep in mind before you dump all your extra belongings into the attic. First of all, segregate your stuff. You need to prioritise as per your need and store it accordingly. Things that you plan to use very rarely can be kept inside discarded television and refrigerator cartons. If you have an extra mattress, carpet and blankets which are used only when you have many guests, then wrap them up and put them away in your attic.

If you plan to keep small items like extra utensils, stationery items and old clothes make sure you keep them in different boxes and label them. This will not only save space but will also save time when you are looking for them at the time of need. You can also stuff seasonal clothes in suitcases. However, your work doesn't end here. You need to make sure that you clean the attic regularly — dust and keep it dry at all times.

This is to prevent rodents from making the attic their home. Also, ensure that things kept in the attic are well covered with resealable, air-tight bags to avoid accumulation of dust and moisture. If the attic makes the room look ugly, you can always put a screen. That is quite economical and pretty curtains always make the house look good. If you have a cupboard kind of arrangement, you just need to arrange your things neatly inside and not worry about the appearance.

There are certain things you should not store in attics like papers, fabrics, leathers and wooden objects. These attract moisture and insects. Store only non-degradable items like glass, metal, plastic etc. Cover all items using plastic only and change cover from time to time.

Attics help control the room temperature. If there is hot air rising from the floor, it gets accumulated in the attic. Hence, attics should be insulated to keep the temperature in control. Else, there is energy loss. Also, avoid keeping electronic items in attics as the temperature is high there when compared to the room.

If you are living in an old, traditional house with an open attic and don't want to store things, you can also use it as a shelf to keep paintings and antique showpieces there. Put some dim lights to make them look attractive in the night.