How to create extra rooms in your attic space

Most lofts don’t get a lot of love. Often stuffed with just-in-case junk and things that haven’t seen the light of day for 20-plus years, it’s an area that’s ripe for renovation. Clear your clutter and you can turn it into a multi-use, beautiful space.

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A loft conversion or attic extension is a great way to add extra space, whether you are looking for extension ideas for bungalows or crave another bedroom, bathroom, office, or playroom.

1. Loft conversion ideas

Create the perfect retreat in your home with some extra living space in the loft. While we all like to spend time socializing with family members or friends, time to recharge on our own is so valuable. Keep things casual with a classic sofa and mismatched armchair in neutral colors and go for a couple of super-cool accessories, such as the pouf and rug here, to make it your own.


2. Add a tranquil guest room

It may not always be practical to put a master bedroom in your attic, particularly if you have very young children. So instead, why not turn it into a fancy guest space that you can reclaim when the kids are older? Granny and Grandad or friends can then be kept away from your little early risers and enjoy a peaceful night's sleep – even if you don't!

This owner's tall attic allowed them to create a spacious guest room and still leave a little space in the roof for storage.

3. Elevate the kitchen

A loft conversion opens up the possibility of completely reconfiguring the layout of a home. Create a self-contained flat within the rooms of your existing home, a great idea for teenage children or for making frequent guests feel at home. A kitchen in the loft could also be ideal for those creating an authentic home office, complete with all the amenities.

4. Open out to a balcony

This barn conversion's master bedroom feels all the more opulent for its Juliet balcony with double doors, carefully designed around the building's timber structure. This is especially effective in a roof space where it might be tricky to fit Velux windows or a dormer in the slope of the roof.

Related: Attic bedroom ideas to add the wow factor to any loft space

5. Let the structure shine

The owners of this converted coach house managed to squeeze this bathroom into the eaves. They wanted the bathroom's style to reflect the building's heritage, so they kept the original timbers exposed, and painted them white for a light, airy feel.

6. Zone the open-plan space

The beauty of extending into the loft is the footprint of space to create generous-sized rooms. Because of the sloped roofs, it's often beneficial to keep the layout open-plan, but with clever zoning, you can create multifunctional purposes within the space. Allow the architecture to determine different zones for bedrooms, home offices, playrooms, and more.

7. Indulge boutique hotel vibes

When going to all the effort of creating a dream space, why hold back on the indulgent features? This loft bedroom feels worthy of a boutique-style hotel thanks to the placement of a stunning freestanding bath within the bedroom space. Don't overlook the attention to detail that can elevate your attic bedroom from average to awesome.

8. Be mindful of bespoke solutions

'Make the most of unused loft space with attic wardrobes' advises Andy Briggs, resident interior designer for Spaceslide(opens in new tab). 'You may think that the areas under the sloping eaves are awkward and a waste of space, but with careful planning and some ingenuity, the space can open up a realm of possibilities. The key here is to go bespoke. Your loft is a unique space, so ordinary furniture won’t do the trick. Loft wardrobes should be designed to seamlessly fit into the contours of the room, filling every available space.'

'Loft wardrobes work best when they are made-to-measure and fitted with storage kits that meet your every requirement, whether that be a place to store extra clothing, or shelving to house your less frequently used items from around the home. In addition, sliding wardrobe doors can be cleverly installed to run alongside the sloped ceiling so that they utilize the floor-to-ceiling space.'

9. Convert a narrow loft into children's bedrooms

It's common for the loft to be converted into a master en suite. But when you're dealing with a narrow space, it may be more practical to turn your attic into one or two smaller kids' bedrooms. You can then reconfigure downstairs to get that dream space for Mum and Dad.

This bunk is plenty wide enough for a small person to sleep comfortably, with space below for toys. Whereas it might have been a tight squeeze for grown-ups.

10. Achieve your dream bathroom

We don't usually have the chance to dream big when it comes to our bathrooms – but maybe your loft could change that. By dedicating the whole space to a spa-like retreat, you can really indulge in features like a walk-in shower and sinks for two.

Related: Bedroom mirrors ideas- 10 Fun and functional ways with mirror 

Don't let wooden beams get in the way of creating your perfect shower enclosure in a loft space. The use of one sheet of unframed glass, held in place by two sleek stainless-steel bars, keeps this wet-room-style enclosure minimalist and unobtrusive. The floor-level drain is also a great way to ensure that you don't lose any precious height in your shower.

11. Leave your loft open-plan

Consider the space you have carefully. Sometimes it's best to leave an attic open plan to compensate where you can't include big windows. It could also be that you have a double-height room that would benefit from the impressive feel of a mezzanine level in the part of it. It's a desirable look with plenty of appeals.

Here, this bedroom has a bathroom up a few steps, but you could create a sleeping area above a living area or vice versa instead.

12. Build in low-level storage

Sometimes it's tricky to know what to do with the awkward low space between the slope of the roof and the floor. However, in this elegant home office, it's used to perfection. A custom-made solution incorporates drawers for paperwork and baskets for occasionally used items like printers.

13. Turn it into a teen's den

We know not every teenager is a 'Kevin' (from those famous Harry Enfield sketches). But even so, they do like their own space where they can spend time with friends out of earshot of their parents. That's why an attic can be the perfect teenage bedroom.

This large space accommodates a separate seating area, a 'walk-in wardrobe', and a cool hanging chair that makes the most of the ceiling height. A colorful fairy light idea around the bed alcove is the finishing touch.

14. Make the most of any natural light

Don't let a seemingly awkward space intimidate you. Here, the walls have been sympathetically shaped allowing as much light as possible through a dormer window. Dormer windows extend out of the roof and create extra room. There is, however, more work involved and they can be more expensive than a Velux.

You'll need proper staircase access with a dormer design, which can require permission. But the extra expense and work may be worth it with the added value the space will bring.

It's a nice idea to put a statement bath near a natural light source and enjoy the view as you soak. Wood-effect tiles arranged to mimic timber cladding enhance this bathroom's country feel.

15. Do without a staircase

If all you're looking for is a bit of extra storage space in a compact room, why not add a sturdy ladder for access to the loft above? It's a great way to make the most of unused space, without having to build costly staircases. It makes an amazing feature, too – who wouldn't enjoy having a little cubby hole to hide out in?

16. Turn an angled wall into a feature

Don't let awkwardly shaped ceilings and tiny spaces put you off. Whether you paint or paper a small panel or a full room, use color or pattern to create a unique look. The background color has a big impact on the overall feel of a room – choose deeper, more muted colors in the bedroom for a restful feel, or go bright and bold for the perfect space to wake up in.