Pull down the attic door and ladder and lock it into the lowest position.
Cut the cotton string and remove both halves. Discard the string.
Cut a piece of satin cording 12 inches long. Choose a color cord that matches or complements your room decor, or a plain white cord for an unobtrusive look.
Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the attic panel. Thread the satin cord through the string hole, leaving half the cording on either side of the hole.
Tie a 1-inch wooden bead to the end of the cord that faces into the attic. Fasten a decorative bead to the end of the cord that hangs down into your room. Close the attic door, allowing the cording and decorative bead to hang down.