Have you already checked your house's old permits on file at city hall to see if the attic is a legally permitted habitable space?

Built-in drawers, facing the main room, are useful under sloping ceilings. Shelves facing the inside of a closet with doors are sometimes useful, but often things get forgotten when they can't be seen.

Yes! Everything has been checked out with the town. We are good to go in that department.

Fix the drywall, hang a curtain over the opening and you'd have an awesome play fort! You can always turn it into practical storage later.