If you want to add value and space to your home, instead of expanding outwards, consider going up and converting your loft into an extra room or proper storage space for your home.
If you have all of the living space you need downstairs but lack bedrooms and bathrooms, a loft conversion may be the best option for bringing your home into proportion. The majority of loft conversions are done to add an extra bedroom or two, each with their own bathroom. Teenage dens, cinema rooms, and home offices are all common applications. If your home has stunning views, consider relocating some of your living spaces to the new loft to take advantage of them.
Loft Ladder or Stairs
First and foremost, you want to determine how much space you have in your loft and get a rough idea of what the loft can be used for, as well as whether you have the space on your landing to add a new staircase or if you only have space for a loft ladder, in which case you will not be legally able to claim the extra room, but having a properly fitted out storage space will also be extremely beneficial to yourself, and seeing that it has already been completed in your house would be a plus.
Smaller size
If you have a small loft space, a light-coloured scheme – you can’t go wrong with white – can make a loft room feel larger and lighter, but it must be balanced out to avoid feeling too clinical.
Try pairing lighter colours with warm woods and the occasional soft furnishing in a darker shade to make the room feel cosy and welcoming – this is especially important if your loft conversion is being used to create a guest or spare room.
Windows
When planning a loft conversion, it’s critical to consider the size and placement of your windows. As a general rule, glazing should account for 20% of the roof area if you want to maximise natural light.
The shape of the roof frequently influences window placement; for example, a long, shallow room will benefit from windows evenly distributed along its length, whereas a narrow, deeper room will benefit from a single large window.
Office Space
If you don’t require an extra bedroom in the loft but work from home, a home office can be an excellent loss conversion idea for you. To maximise efficiency, a home office should have plenty of natural light, so avoid black-out curtains and heavy materials.
Choose pale blinds in soothing neutral tones that allow light in but reduce glare when closed, allowing you to work productively even as the sun sets – just as important for bright summer days as it is for shorter days in the winter.
Accepting the odd spaces that come with a loft conversion is usually necessary to make the most of it. Inserting shelves or a desk into a tight corner, or having cupboards custom-built to fit a sloped roof, is a fantastic way to maximise space and create a useful storage solution, if possible.
Loft stairs
The location of your loft conversion stairs should be considered during the planning stages. Consider all of your options to make the most of the available space in your loft conversion. Decisions such as where the stairwell door goes, whether at the top or bottom, can mean the difference between a boxy loft conversion and one that is more open.
The loft conversion stairs, on the other hand, should ideally feel like a continuation of the stairs leading from your ground floor to your first storey. The designs should be as similar as possible, including the bannisters, handrails, and paint finishes. Match the carpeting or flooring, mouldings such as skirting, wall coverings or finishes, and even the decor to what you see below. This will help your loft blend in with the rest of the house, creating the illusion that it has always been there.
Loft door
When the proposed space is a single room, it is generally preferable to place the space’s door at the bottom of the staircase rather than at the top to give the new floor a sense of extra spaciousness and openness. Because a door cannot be placed directly on a staircase, it could be placed halfway up a new staircase with a double landing. This creates an open feeling at both the top and bottom of the staircase.
Exterior
If your loft conversion will include expanded sections, consider whether you want the new façade to contrast or match your current home. Use similar bricks or insert rendering or cladding for a more modern look.
Frameless and minimalist-style windows are ideal for modern homes. If you own a period home and want to add an attic room or loft extension, you may face conservation restrictions, such as requiring windows to be level with the roof.
Conclusion
A loft conversion can be a fantastic way to increase the value of your home, make the most of your space, and add much-needed space, whether it’s a guest bedroom, home office, or games room. We could all use some extra space in our homes, and a loft conversion is a great way to get it.