Attic Tour ║ Large Family, Small House Organization

This video is a tour of our attic space. A couple of months ago we finished decluttering and organizing it and it's been such a blessing! We store seasonal items here for our family of 10. It's also where we have our furnace. This is an 800 square foot house that we've "expanded" by finishing our basement to use a living space and the attice rafters to use as storage space.
www.andreamills.tv
Mills Family
P.O. Box 323
Moorcroft, Wyoming 82721
USA

[@mercedesvillaruz7097]

For being a big family I'm so amazed at how you maximize the limited space you have. I know you don't monetize your videos but I wished you did. They're not only fun and entertaining to watch but so informative. I learn so much from you!

[@ecmomma]

That's amazing that Sophia knew all the kids specific colours! Smart girl!

[@MsCD2410]

I just heard about this woman and her family. Unfortunately 😔 for a sad reason. But I have been binge watching her videos. OMG!!!! She was amazing. I will continue to watch her and future videos from her husband and kids. They had a fantastic wife and mother and I really wished that they didn't lose her 💔😔😢.

[@andih5895]

Same

[@elizabethbrundagemediajour150]

Oh nooo....very sad to hear that she is gone.

[@SuperBamamama]

That is without a doubt the cleanest attic I have ever seen!

[@stacieocker]

I love the snapshot of you and Tom, you holding up the pull down ladder. Super cute!

[@InHimAlone]

Yes! He was looking at her so lovingly :)

[@galady8632]

Sheri D ... Tom always has that loving gaze every time he looks at her. Andrea does the same. Seeing that is always a bonus. I recall when they drove all night to CA Andrea was looking at Tom and stated something similar to 'nothing is more sexy than seeing your husband driving through the night for his family'. That brought tears to my eyes. Their adoration, love, respect and devotion to one another is obvious. It is also very refreshing.

[@shellylafleur7456]

Oh my goodness she is absolutely adorable and smart. I had to smile when she said "yella" and "puple." TFS

[@pjl2963]

This project was, without a doubt, your magnum opus, Andrea! It boggles my mind to think of all the work that went into this; all the while you were homeschooling! Bravo! I can see how much you enjoy your new space, and not having that "hanging over your head" any longer. You are my organizational hero!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

The night I finished I was lying in bed feeling so light knowing all that stuff was gone. I'm so happy with it!

[@pjl2963]

I know the feeling full well! A few years back we really downsized, and ever since then, we have been very careful about keeping/saving anything we won't need...we're traveling light, and it's so freeing!

[@Penelope222]

Going back and catching up on videos I missed. One thing I have to say is how much I love your hair - so effortless and the 'glitter strands' as my daughter calls them are so flattering for you :-)

[@andreaelena3803]

The pictures of Tom and Andrea at about 3 minutes even though they're candid are so cute they make my heart melt. It's so easy to see how much love they shared.

[@LivingEclectic]

I love this space - great job to both of you for making it work so well ... it was a burden 'over you' literally. Glad it is now a workable area!

[@petrazapata2546]

Wow! What a loving family with great organizing in a small 2 bdrm house with 1 bathroom.💓

[@weaver7249]

Andrea, you are a very clever young lady and you are my hero. I enjoy your channel so much. I wish my attic were as neat as yours.

[@123mintjelly]

You did a wonderful job. Life is so much easier when we are organized.

[@msmary126]

I know you have passed away, but you still continue to bless me with your knowledge and wisdom. May your family be blessed. Love in Jesus's name

[@mildredlane3717]

U and Tom compliment ea other in being able to plan ,repair, build new,update etc of your home..I learn something from ea vlog. thanks

[@indigoblue4791]

l love bonus videos!!! Another successful space and it's awesome you had all those drawers around the house you could reuse up there. l like nothing better than using things we already have for other projects! Nice to see a little bit of the kids there with you, l knew it wouldn't be long before they found you!! Made me smile. 😀

[@galady8632]

J.T Belcher-Farrier ... Isn't it awesome that all their children want to be with both Andrea and Tom? All too often children go in their room, close the door and are snarky if anyone bothers them. Huge kudos to both Andrea and Tom for raising such awesome, loving and respectful children.

[@lindseybsmith]

Sophia! I just laughed at all her little observations and sounds! She's such a cutie & so smart knowing everyone's color of dishware! I admire you for your organizational skills, creativity & ability to adapt to change but what I admire most about you is your patience! Tom & your children are so fortunate to have you running your household!!!!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

It's amazing that well before their first birthdays, they recognize their own color and before they turn 2, they know everyone else's colors even if they don't know the correct names.

[@kjvmama]

I miss you dearly, precious Andrea!! ❤❤❤

[@cyndileatherman9258]

Thank you for the inspiration, Andrea!!! The attic looks wonderful. A great accomplishment!!!

[@TheChanLady]

I ❤ your organizing videos!!!

[@PotawatomiProud]

Very nice such a cute ending watching your kids find you, love your channel and family.

[@conniewilliams3644]

That's awesome!! I need to do the same to my attic!! Great job!

[@cookiebaranek5966]

It's obvious what a hard working couple you are. Nice job.

[@dragonflyneb]

You did a beautiful job!

[@wagnerfamily2043]

The wall of drawers looks great!

[@clapoutloudclapoutloud]

Nice job of organization. Yes, that attic can be a nice space for sleep overs for the kids, it gives them their own space.

[@teapotty4888]

Andrea ,your a star ,xxxx

[@lynnwilson665]

This was absolutely perfect for me. We have a basement where we store just about everything you can imagine, but my husband has epilepsy and we can no longer use it for storage. So that he does not have to go downstairs...we have a small bedroom from my oldest son getting married and moving out that I'm now going to use for storage. The way you designed your attic gave me so much inspiration on how I can organize things!

[@katiestewart4020]

Amazing! Ugh I wish I was that organized

[@sue4245]

Your videos are, hands down, the best on KZbin. Even though my kids are grown and out of the house I have learned a lot from you: how to shop, how to organize. Also, it is fun and interesting to learn about homeschooling.

[@whyteowl3706]

Hi Andrea. Those drawers are great storage solutions! Your video has encouraged me to rethink my mezzanine bedroom storage area under the eaves. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. P.S. You've been found!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

They have the benefits of a box without the hassle. Everything can stack up, but you don't have to move boxes off the top to get to things underneath. You just open a drawer. I love it!

[@LittleMissGlam01]

Great tour of the attic Andrea. You really know how to maximize your space! In the future the attic may be a great place to have an additional bedroom for some of the older kiddos!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

That would be nice, but the ceiling is barely high enough for me to stand up in the middle; Tom has to hunch over. It also has rafters all over. We couldn't really put beds up there and, of course, we'd lose the storage. I wish it was a more usable space because _I'd_ love to have an attic bedroom!

[@nomiyuh4334]

Man I've only seen 4 videos and I'm already blown away with how much you truly do and how much you strive to do for your children and how much you organize so everything can be in order is amazing this inspires me to want to actually look at the attic but I'm always scared since I always hear stuff up there 😂 and I'm scared of spiders but I definitely congratulate you for your dedication

[@aranzamonserratito]

Hi! I'm your #1 fan ❤️❤️ thanks for your videos :)

[@lynnwilson665]

monse jimenez then I must be the 2nd number one fan💕❤️👍🏻

[@sabatham]

I love this so much! I wish we could use our attic like that! Perhaps someday we will put in a floor like you did. What a great idea to use all the drawers. And I might steal your color coordinating idea for the kids. I have 5 kids and my oldest hates when her brother uses her towel. He just grabs whatever is closest all the time.

[@pamblakeley4085]

Great job

[@shannonleeann5643]

Love it

[@tamberlinferguson4156]

Thanks for this video! Mama of 5 here

[@plussizemommy2B]

oh I can't wait to get mine done :) some day ... I will bite the bullet and head up to organize up there. ours is like a real life space (still a pull down ladder but no beams ) and I have always dreamed of it being organized and I thought maybe I could put a guest room up there :) because of course this much room doesn't leave for any guest spaces.

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

That would be so nice! I always wanted an attic room. They're so cozy and romantic.

[@margaretbedwell58]

Andrea, if you would like to take a vacation in Virginia, I would rent you to organize me haha. You really do an amazing job. Your skills are second to none. Have a Blessed day.

[@anchorsandarrows6935]

I wish we could store clothing in our attic. Where we live it gets so hot and humid that some things get mildewy if stored up there. 😕 we have holiday items in plastic totes, a high chair and baby swing and baby hammock (with the cloth parts removed and stored elsewhere), but the space could be utilized so much more if it were climate controlled.

[@darilynfernandez260]

I love this! Where did you originally buy these drawers?! I really need these drawers in my attic!

[@annikadavidson5253]

I'm early:) Great Video!

[@BlackKaida]

I'd love to see a video on how you set up and run the 19-inch tv in the van!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

I'll mention that to Tom.

[@BlackKaida]

awesome! I also follow his channel so I'll look out for it there too :)

[@hearsthewater]

Do you have issues with fiberglass getting on the fabric items like the body pillow or the travel pillows?

[@rheathakur6179]

I have a question of why don't you make your house bigger by building into the backyard as your backyard is huge. I love your videos and keep up the great work.

[@thebigblessedbayers1376]

Rhea Thakur before she has said that later on they would like to do that but are being content with what they have now, less debt.

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

We'd like to add on; I've built the house in my mind a thousand times! We'd rather not borrow money so we can stay financially stable which means we won't be adding on any time soon. Who knows what the future will bring, but we just don't have the cash right now.

[@DixieGirl9876]

Looks great! Love how those plastic drawer units stack to fit the space.One question, is it not too hot up there to store those helium tanks?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Now that we have the furnace up there it's heated and cooled like the rest of the house.

[@JoshsCindyLouakaTwinnyTwinMom]

Andrea, can you do a video with Tom on what kind of equipment you use for your Vlogs & software for editing etc please? :-) I'd love to get started KZbin - ing but I don't know what I'll need. Thank you.

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

I'll mention it to him.

[@sydneym4158]

With the keepsakes, do you save things for the kids, or do they pick things to save? Attic sleepovers sound like an adventure!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

I've taught them how to declutter their own things so they save what they want to. I'd thought about trying to get a box or trunk for each of them to store things in, but then I decided their suitcases would work just fine. We rarely use them and if we do, they can empty their things onto their beds until we get back from our trip. The suitcases were gifts from my mom for each of the kids as they came along. She's passed away now, so I feel almost like the suitcases themselves are keepsakes. I keep things for their scrapbooks, too. I just started sorting all of that stuff a few days ago. That's what in all the boxed that have been sitting in my office the last few months.

[@oscarchannel2658]

Cool

[@volition51]

Empty drawers, congratulations!!!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

I never thought I'd have a situation like that; I've got 6 empty drawers in the attic, 2 in the kitchen and 2 empty baskets in my office. Who'd have thought?!

[@evem4876]

Thanks for your tips you give me such inspiration n good ideas. Can you please let me no more about Kin Mari ? I have see very little on this it would be a great topic to share with us. Thank you

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Marie Kondo wrote a book called "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up." She refers to her style as the KonMari method. She asks you to keep only the things that bring you joy. I like her philosophy, but I find the most helpful part about it is that she focuses on categories of items to go through rather than tidying (decluttering) room by room. She first does clothes, then books, followed by paper and then miscellaneous (an enormous category!) The last part is sentimental items. You work from easiest to most difficult to strengthen your decision-making muscles. There are videos here on KZbin featuring her that are interesting to watch. I'd really like to write my own organizing book someday, because it's a bit different organizing for a whole family than just yourself.

[@galady8632]

Andrea Mills ... In all your spare time you are thinking about writing a book. Wow. Impressive. I remain amazed that you have time to make, much less edit, videos for your channel. If you ever do write a book I will certainly purchase at least one. I have many friends that would enjoy a copy. I prefer to give meaningful gifts rather than just one more dust collector.

[@katrinadunlap8918]

What is at the other end? It looked like a desk area.

[@poppycopper1]

I enjoyed the tour thank you. It gave me some ideas. What's a steam juicer? Xx

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

The steam juicer has a basket inside to put fruit (I use it with the grapes we grow) and a collection pot underneath that has a hole in the middle to allow steam to come in from the bottom pot of water. The steam gently forces the juice out of the fruit, it collects in the pot underneath and then it drains through s rubber tube. I set canning jars in an open drawer next to the stove so they're slightly lower than the counter and then put the end of the tube in the jar. When its full of juice, I get a new jar and keep going. We put whole bunches of grapes in and when their done we put them into the compost. It's the easiest, cleanest method I've found for juicing our grapes. We use the juice to make jelly (jam) and wine.

[@poppycopper1]

Thank you, maybe when you do it again you could video it please. Xx

[@krazyzoovlogs]

Where do you get your plastic dishes? I'm struggling to find dishes that last and I really don't want the kiddos using my glass dishes.

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

They're Ikea dishes, but I ordered mine from Amazon.

[@krazyzoovlogs]

Thank you! They seem a lot more sturdy than the ones I've been getting.

[@zucchinipotato]

I love how organized you are Andrea. I have a question for you, where did you get the plastic dinnerware? I have four kids and love the idea of color coordinating their plates. And that way they can't break my good dishes 😉

[@teapotty4888]

Zuleyka Mateo ,hi they can be bought from Amazon ,J hope this helps xx

[@sumo_bola]

ikea also has a similar set i believe

[@zucchinipotato]

Thank you both so much! I will be ordering them today!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Yes, they're Ikea dishes that I bought on Amazon. I was so glad when they came out with them. I was always on the lookout for plastic dishes in the correct colors because things would get lost or broken. These ones are the right kind of plastic (some of our cups were a harder plastic that would get brittle and could shatter over time) and the right colors. I stocked up!

[@teapotty4888]

Your an inspiration Andrea mills in your own gentle way ,Thank you xx

[@evem4876]

just wanted to let you no Sophia is such a cutie. I love her name we have a new grandaughter on the way n that's my husband n myself's favorite name for the new baby.

[@gideonsarmy8546]

HI Andrea! Do you remember where you got the drawers from?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Most of them were from Walmart.com. I ordered them by the case. I think they're Sterilite brand. There are a few odd ones thrown in the mix.

[@odan10]

Andrea it's time for you to have another kid and to take us on that adventure

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

We keep hoping!

[@BaileyKaye27]

Is that a work desk on the other side?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Tom has a hobby area set up over there.

[@Mmolesy]

Hi Andrea, Love your video's. can you come and organise my house? lol. I have 9 kids and my house is far from organised. Blessings, Megan

[@sarahmyers3969]

That is impressive! Question, though-does it not get hot there in the summer? Here in Alabama, it gets so hot in the attic in the summer, I worry about damaging things kept in the attic.

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

We didn't have the furnace installed until a couple of years after we were using the space for storage, so at first it was quite hot up there. I had some misshapen candles, but other than that I didn't notice it causing any problems. Now that the furnace is up there, there are vents that heat and cool the space. We don't keep it as nice as the main living areas, but it is somewhat climate controlled.

[@sarahmyers3969]

Oh, I bet that helps a lot. Not having any heat/air in the attic really limits what you can put up there.

[@lisab3838]

If you have another baby what color would you choose?

[@sunflowerX13]

Are you guys still hoping to grow your family? I love your big family and how well you are able to use the space! If you do end up with another little blessing will you be doing more pregnancy related videos?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

We're definitely hoping for more children, but there's still no baby yet. One way or the other, I plan to do a month of pregnancy videos later this year.

[@sunflowerX13]

Andrea Mills I look forward to seeing those!

[@colleenmercer3408]

Andrea, I have a son that is a scout and participated in his second pinewood derby this year. I noticed your cars are in protective cases. Where can I find those? Thanks!!!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Those are actually sandwich containers! Tom brought home a sandwich from a gas station one time when our cars were sitting on the TV cradenza. He noticed the cars fit inside so he kept buying more sandwiches so we could box up all of our cars. I cut a few pieces of quilt batting to put in the bottoms and labelled them with my label maker. They're similar to these: www.webstaurantstore.com/polar-pak-29566-9-x-4-x-3-pet-black-and-clear-hinged-hoagie-sub-take-out-container-25-pack/99929566.html?Google&GoogleShopping&gclid=COuoitX-0dMCFUUcaQod6LILEQ

[@aliaa5426]

How many kids are there?☺

[@rachelday9585]

9

[@erynmcneil5644]

Are you guys going to have another baby?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

We're hoping!

[@SacredMommyhood9]

Would you mind my asking how old you are? I turn 44 this month, and hoping for another baby too. We have 11 children and my youngest just turned two. We'll see what the Lord has in store... :) I so much enjoy your organization videos. It's so much fun to see how other large families are organizing their homes. You are so creative! Blessings!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

I'm 38; I'll turn 39 next month. Tom is 40.

[@harri3168]

I was born on Independence Day but I live in a different country so I don't celebrate Independence Day. But I do celebrate my birthday so in a way I celebrate it?