Tress Realty Group
  • Home
  • Investors
  • Homeowners
    • Selling >
      • Sale Prices
    • Buying >
      • Land
      • New Jersey 55+
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Send Out Cards

Cool Tricks to Keep Your Attic From Going to Waste

2/29/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
If you’re currently using your attic as a catchall for everything from your old Beanie Baby collection to those torrid letters from your sixth-grade pen pal (what were you guys thinking, anyway?), you’re missing out. Homeowners craving some extra space can pass on a pricey addition and invest in a top-floor renovation in the rafters instead. Whether you’re on the prowl for a kid’s playroom, the walk-in closet of your wildest (and weirdest) fantasies, or a man cave with a view, the attic might just be that special ticket. Here’s how to turn this long-forgotten space into the fave new spot in your home.

Replace pull-down ladders with stairs

Converting your hideaway in the rafters into a livable space isn’t without its obstacles. The biggest hurdle is often the stairs … or lack thereof, if your attic is ladder-accessible instead. “This can be the most challenging aspect, since there just might not be enough space to build stairs,” says Kathryn Scott of Kathryn Scott Design Studio. That said, you’d be surprised at what’s possible if you get a little creative.

Tom Cirignano of South Boston, MA, would know: When he and his wife downsized from over 2,700 feet of living area to just 1,100, they quickly found themselves panicking and asking, “Where do we store our stuff?” Fortunately, their new cottage home in Lakeville offered an unused space above the garage. Seeing an opportunity, Cirignano seized it.
“It had a pull-down ladder and a few planks laid in the middle; I had some ideas and went right to work,” he says. “A contractor designed and built an actual stairway.” To avoid sacrificing living space, Cirignano’s contractor turned the stairway 90 degrees halfway up.

“Then I insulated the entire garage and went to work paneling and making storage compartments along both walls, leaving room for a cool man cave in the center,” Cirignano says.“Now, I think it’s the coolest space in the house.”

Create a walk-up closet

If you’ve always dreamed of a walk-in closet/glam room worthy of a Real Housewife, here’s your chance. “Attics easily transform into wonderful walk-in closets,” Scott says. “All you have to do is install clothing rods, shelving, cabinets, and drawers.” Or go further and install semipermanent storage space that looks more polished.

“Just because it’s in an attic doesn’t mean it can’t look good,” says Keith Jajko, marketing manager for Closet Factory. “You can create a significant amount of storage space, add value to the home. Think of them as a  twofer—a project that frees up space and unclogs bedroom closets, while adding usable square footage in the attic.”

​Elevate your playroom

Dreaming of the day when your living room isn’t teeming with toys? Move your playroom to the top floor, and you’ll never (or almost never) skate across the floor on a Hot Wheels Camaro again. “Attics can become a dream room for your kids,” Scott notes.

Worried it’s too hot up there—or too cold? Solutions abound. “The attic may need to be insulated from extreme weather, but there are plenty of easy-to-install options available that are environmentally safe and reasonably priced,” Scott says. Fiberglass batts, rigid foam, and spray foam all prevent heat loss in the winter and help ameliorate sweltering conditions in the summer. If you have an HVAC system in place, talk with your contractor about extending it to the attic. Or at the very least, small electric baseboard heaters could be the way to go, while window units and portable air conditioners will cool the space down nicely in the summer without costing you a fortune.

From there, go ahead and get creative with decor: Cover the slanted roof walks with chalkboards so the kids can go wild, or add a few beanbag chairs and some comfy throw pillows to make it a cozy nook kids will love. You may not see them for hours at a time. This is the natural order of things. Embrace it!
Source: Realtor.com
​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Picture

    Tress Realty

    Tress Realty Group compiles some of the best real estate news, tips, and information for buyers, sellers and investors.

    Get started with your home search at www.TressHomes.com.

    Archives

    April 2020
    January 2019
    October 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    June 2013

    Categories

    All
    Chatham
    East-brunswick
    Fair Haven
    Glen Ridge
    Hoboken
    Home Sales
    Maplewood
    Millburn
    Montclair
    Ridgewood
    South Orange
    Summit
    Tress Homes

    RSS Feed

Home

Website disclaimer and copyright

​
Use of the information and data contained within this site or these pages is at your sole risk. If you rely on the information on this site you are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency or completeness.  It is provided “as is” without express or implied warranty. 

Some properties which appear on this web-site may no longer be available because they are under contract, have been sold or are no longer being offered for sale.  Images uses for navigation may be for properties in different towns, and are not intended to be considered anything other than representative of the types of houses that may be found in a particular municipality.  All data and/or search facilities on this site are for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties that consumers may be interested in purchasing.

Tress Realty Group cannot guarantee the accuracy of the IDX/MLS data created by outside parties. Tress Realty Group further assumes no responsibility for any misleading content or incorrectly listed information due to such negligence. All ancillary information presented on this web-site is not guaranteed and should be independently verified by the users of this site. Tress Realty Group makes no warranty, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the data contained within or obtained from this web-site.

Tress Realty Group accepts no liability for any interference with or damage to a user’s computer, software or data occurring in connection with or relating to this Site or its use or any website linked to this site.  Further, Tress Realty Group has provided Hypertext links to a number of sites as a service only. This should NOT be taken as implying any link between us and those various organizations or individuals.

Disclaimer: this website may be supported by ads and participation in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you click our links. The information included in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice.

Site copyrighted by Tress Realty Group LLC  © 2016-2022, all rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Investors
  • Homeowners
    • Selling >
      • Sale Prices
    • Buying >
      • Land
      • New Jersey 55+
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Send Out Cards