Accessing A Loft

E. and I planned storage space above our little house. In fact that's what got us started with the house, in faith -- the urgent need to secure some possessions. But as time went on, the storage space expanded to a little attic. Now the question is how to get up to the attic if you don't have room for a staircase. Those who have experience say that a ladder is a chore -- so are steps if they are too steep. But a cage ladder, that would be much easier to climb, enabling one to rest one's back against a wall on the way up. OBSERVATION: I have invented a pedal lift, in concept. However, I would need to speak to an engineer.