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There’s a truthful quantity of thought concerned in getting loft conversion concepts spot on with the intention to actually take advantage of the house you might have accessible in your attic.
You have to to think about precisely what you need to use you loft conversion for, how a lot you’ll be able to afford to spend and the worth the extension is probably going so as to add, in addition to the way you need each the design for the inside and exterior finishes to look.
Transformed lofts will be awkward areas to get proper, from coping with sloping ceilings to understanding how you can greatest use pockets of house that do not have a lot headroom.
We have rounded up 36 of the easiest loft conversion initiatives we have seen to make sure you have all of the concepts you want.
1. Be intelligent along with your storage concepts
On the subject of bedroom loft conversion ideas you really want to suppose by the format to make sure you have loads of storage. Additionally, you will want to include a toilet, bathe room or, at a push, a rest room — in any other case you’ll have to traipse up and down the steps within the evening ought to nature come calling.
In a bed room loft conversion you additionally want to make sure that any roof home windows you embody within the design have blinds or shades that may permit you to get a restful sleep.
This bed room options loads of built-in storage underneath the sloping ceiling, in addition to a helpful ensuite lavatory.
2. Construct a quiet dwelling workplace in your loft
The placement of your private home workplace ought to be someplace away from the hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life, significantly in the event you usually earn a living from home and have youngsters. A loft conversion could make the best spot for a piece house, however you will want to make sure you present loads of storage and suppose by the positioning of any screens beneath roof home windows to keep away from glare.
This peaceable loft dwelling workplace, inside a Velux loft conversion, makes use of built-in furnishings to offer storage and the positioning of the desk has been fastidiously thought of too.
3. Give youngsters their very own house
Kids of all ages can actually take pleasure in feeling that their bedrooms are their very personal non-public house — so tucking one right into a loft conversion is a superb thought. In some circumstances it will likely be attainable to squeeze two young children’s bedrooms right into a loft conversion, or to incorporate ensuite bathroom ideas.
This fun-filled child’s bed room options built-in, customized made furnishings that has been designed to bear in mind the sloping ceiling. The cabin mattress permits for drawers and a wardrobe beneath and the complete peak wall has been fitted with a climbing wall.
4. Be good with a toilet loft conversion format
Loft conversion bathrooms make a lot sense and whereas there are just a few additional concerns to keep in mind, needn’t be costly or sophisticated to design.
“With such a variety of toilet fittings accessible today, it’s not exhausting to seek out high quality fixtures for a compact house, whereas its place on the high of your own home lends itself nicely to bringing large quantities of pure mild into the house,” says houses and interiors journalist Rebecca Foster.
On this good lavatory scheme, the bathe has been situated within the highest level of the room, whereas the frameless display screen provides a continental moist room really feel to the house.
5. Plan early on to take advantage of the house
Changing a loft right into a usable room is a superb thought for many who need to add some additional house with out encroaching on the backyard. They key to a profitable design is to plan what the brand new space will likely be used for early on.
Whether or not it is a new master bedroom suite away from the hustle and bustle of downstairs, a house workplace, or an additional lounge as youngsters develop into youngsters, loft conversions are greatest designed with a agency goal from the off.
Could a dormer loft conversion provide the space you need? Whereas changing a loft is feasible with out the addition of dormer home windows they’re a good way to offer slightly additional headroom, which means each inch of the ground house is utilised — whereas saving just a few bumped heads alongside the best way.
This gorgeous dormer loft conversion has used the vertical part of wall for an enormous image window, flooding the house with mild and making certain unbelievable views from the consolation of the mattress.
7. Embrace a rooflight in a dormer loft extension
Whereas including a rooflight to your dormer loft conversion would possibly add slightly to your loft conversion costs, the outcomes will be actually gorgeous.
The deep dormer window designed by Amos Goldreich Architecture to increase this loft conversion house may have created a tunnel-like impact, however by incorporating home windows across the dormer, together with a rooflight above, the house is crammed with mild, creating the right spot for a little bit of yoga.
8. Use the size of the house as a place to begin
If a dormer extension isn’t attainable, take advantage of a smaller house by creating options from alcoves, fire flues and, after all the sloping ceilings which go hand-in-hand with in so many loft conversions.
This instance injects pure mild into the house due to the inclusion of a rooflight and has positioned the bathroom and smaller lavatory items underneath the eaves, liberating up house on the apex for a bathe and the sink.
9. Use attention-grabbing cladding to focus on your conversion
There isn’t any purpose why your new loft conversion should not stand out as a brand new addition — and utilizing metal cladding to complete it off is a good way to do that.
Whereas extending their Victorian terrace, the house owners of this home used bed room loft conversion concepts to create a brand new master bedroom. Massive sliding home windows have been added, as was a movable exterior display screen created from corten metal to present the couple privateness in each the bed room and the adjoining lavatory.
A partition wall was included behind the mattress to maximise house and act as a personal dressing space. Consideration to element within the new bed room makes it a sanctuary from the busy downstairs space.
10. Take into consideration furnishings positioning early on
Deciding on the positioning of furnishings proper from the beginning will save a whole lot of complications (and prices) additional down the road. Work out what will likely be included within the new house and from there plan plug sockets, mild fittings and any built-in loft storage ideas accordingly.
Right here, this small loft conversion has ingeniously positioned the compact radiator on the lowest level of the room, out of the best way, whereas the route across the mattress has loads of headroom.
11. Do not low cost a split-level format within the loft
Cut up stage set ups are one in every of our favorite loft conversion layout ideas and are a good way to interrupt open plan areas up into zones with out using bodily divides which might make an space really feel smaller or block pure mild from penetrating totally.
On this loft extension, designed by Sean and Stephen Architects, a break up stage design helps to zone the open plan house, whereas retaining the sunshine all through and creating a way of openness.
12. Maintain stair positioning on the forefront of your thoughts
Designing loft conversion stairs wants quite a lot of thought if you wish to guarantee you’re making the perfect use of house similtaneously complying with the constructing laws referring to this side of home design.
“In a perfect scenario, your loft conversion stairs could be above the prevailing stairs as that is probably the most house environment friendly resolution,” says chartered surveyor Ian Rock. “Guaranteeing that there’s the correct amount of headroom above your loft conversion stairs is of basic significance, as it may be nearly unimaginable to rectify issues retrospectively,” continues Ian.
On this undertaking, the steps resulting in the loft have been positioned straight above the principle stairs making certain a superb move and use of house.
13. Tie in any new additions for uniform look
No matter types of loft conversion you bear in mind, keep in mind that in case your conversion goes to have an effect on the exterior look of a home, much more care wants to enter its design to make sure that it’s a useful addition versus one that appears horribly misplaced.
This loft conversion, with dormer extensions, superbly unites the brand new additions with the prevailing home by repainting home windows and utilising an analogous rusty-coloured brick across the home windows.
Completed with massive sliding doorways which open out to the brand new patio space (each in the identical gray hue) has maximised the accessible house effortlessly.
14. Pack a giant punch with a small loft conversion
Even a small loft conversion – comparable to some terraced house loft conversions – is a brand new house stuffed with alternative so remember to plan from the beginning what the brand new room will likely be used for to maximise design alternatives.
This compact loft conversion with mansard roof extension contains a Juliet balcony within the boutique bed room in addition to the final word luxurious, a freestanding tub.
15. Maintain issues streamlined in compact areas
The place usable house is a matter, make a function of a streamlined design. Maintain fussy particulars to a minimal and deal with highlighting the architectural type of the house.
The DHaus Company transformed this loft in a Haringey dwelling which had a turret-style roof, which means it didn’t require an extension to realize head peak. Nevertheless, it’s an extended slender room, so their design, which components in a big, irregular rooflight, is straightforward, with only a mattress and hid LED lighting to light up the house.
16. Decide rooflights to present the phantasm of more room
Many initiatives are unable to increase with dormer windows attributable to finances constraints or planning restrictions however that is to not imply loft conversions aren’t well worth the effort.
Loft conversions with low head heights will be made to really feel luxurious through the use of rooflights. Pair that with a sensible format, ingenious built-in storage and a freestanding tub like this undertaking and you will be onto a winner.
17. Spotlight the roofline to create a function
A loft conversion undoubtedly means coping with the form of your roof as a part of the design. This usually means you find yourself with some fairly attention-grabbing varieties — take into consideration the methods in which you’ll draw consideration to and spotlight this.
On this loft conversion by Syte Architects, as a part of the lighting design, LED lighting has been throughout the road of the roof to create a function that defines the house and removes the necessity for cumbersome overhead lighting.
18. Benefit from high-level views
Staircase design as much as a loft conversion is usually forgotten about however as they sew collectively the brand new house and the remainder of the home, they’re basic to the success of a undertaking. Your loft stairs additionally provide the chance to incorporate some home windows inside the stairwell or from any landings to present some fairly gorgeous views.
This loft conversion and terrace extension utilised three half landings to cleverly create the phantasm of additional house earlier than main out to the brand new rooftop backyard.
19. Use your loft conversion so as to add wow-factor
Earlier than
After
In addition to including helpful additional house with out growing the footprint of the home, a loft conversion can be a good way to boost the kerb appeal of your private home.
Including a dormer loft extension to this property not solely doubled the dimensions of the dated Sixties bungalow, but it surely additionally remodeled it into a lightweight, brilliant and spacious dwelling that displays its coastal location.
The householders reserved a big a part of the brand new second storey for an opulent master bedroom, which has a surprising vaulted ceiling, a Juliet balcony and a big rooflight overhead.
20. Create a sanctuary in a small loft conversion
Mild, brilliant and away from the hustle and bustle of each day life, including a house workplace right into a loft conversion is the right selection for these struggling to work from their eating room desk.
Working from house is now changing into the norm so a devoted workplace house is up there on the record of areas we now want.
Utilizing a loft conversion in your home office design is a good way to flee the principle home and provides you the prospect to close down your laptop computer, shut the workplace door and go right down to your loosen up in your house with out being tempted to log again on – out of sight, out of thoughts!
21. Equipment your loft conversion out to be used as a house health club
It might not sound like the obvious of functions for a loft conversion, however it will possibly present the right house for a house health club. Due to entry points, it’s unlikely that cumbersome cardio machines will match up the loft stairs, nonetheless a loft conversion ought to present ample house for a weights health club.
Whereas a correct conversion ought to think about a flooring that’s robust sufficient to cope with the additional weight of, nicely, weights, it’s a good suggestion to say this as a possible use for the house initially of the undertaking.
22. Design a tranquil master suite
After some gorgeous master bedroom ideas? Changing a loft right into a bed room or master bedroom is a massively standard thought, including worth in addition to helpful additional house.
Explicit consideration ought to be given to blinds when making a bed room — the sunshine that is available in from roof home windows tends to be brilliant and also you don’t need to be woken on the morning time.
There are a number of choices in relation to selecting blinds for roof home windows — however in a bed room, a blackout blind is a should. Select one that’s designed to forestall mild seeping in from the edges. Each Velux and Blinds 2go provide a wide variety of blackout blinds.
Additionally, you will want to offer garments storage. Underneath-eaves storage, utilizing house too low for freestanding cabinets, rails or shelving, is a superb thought. Alternatively, look into having fitted wardrobes made to fit your particular house.
This luxury house is flooded with pure mild due to the dual side massive rooflights. The copper bathtub additional will increase the opulent really feel.
23. Purpose so as to add a toilet into the loft
It may be actually helpful to find lavatory services in a loft conversion. A loft bed room normally warrants extra intensive lavatory services, whereas a examine or video games room would possibly solely want a rest room and basin.
A loft lavatory doesn’t should take up a lot house, however be sure there may be adequate headroom. A minimal flooring house of round 1 x 2.6m is adequate for a bathe room with WC and basin — head peak will likely be required over the bathe, however the ceiling can slope the place the bathroom cistern is.
24. Create an entire master bedroom within the loft
Create a hide-away from all of it that is just for you by constructing in each a master suite and en suite within the loft conversion.
An additional shower room or small lavatory provides loads of worth to a home whereas providing a spot to launch your character on the brand new house, as on this quirky master suite.
This loft conversion contains a bed room with ensuite — storage is taken care of with intelligent built-in cabinets underneath the eaves.
25. Find a second lounge within the new house
An additional lounge within the loft house is a superb thought — maybe you might have older youngsters who would possibly respect their very own house or perhaps you want the thought of a second TV room or only a sit back house to flee as much as on the finish of an extended day.
In case you are in want of some inspirational living room ideas, check out this trendy room. It options an uncovered brick wall and large rooflights that attract a great deal of pure mild and provides gorgeous rooftop views. Notice the good, low, horizontal column radiator that slots properly into the accessible house.
26. Be inventive to beat planning points
Including a dormer window to your loft generally is a easy strategy to incorporate more room overhead.
Nevertheless, on this loft conversion by Konishi Gaffney Architects, strict planning guidelines inside this native conservation space meant putting in a traditional dormer window wasn’t attainable. As an alternative, a low profile, lengthy dormer was fitted which means it has much less of a visible impression than a dormer positioned near the eaves. The addition has been clad in anthracite zinc.
28. Get your self an area to flee in your conversion
A loft conversion can develop into the right spot for a video games room, hobbies room or den. Take time to actually take into account what you may be utilizing the house for — a house cinema or music room could have totally different lighting necessities than a interest house, for instance.
If the actions happening listed below are prone to be noisy, give some thought to soundproofing. You needn’t solely to think about footfall noise however, in case you are in a terrace or semi-detached home, the transference of noise from one home to the following.
This enviable room has been soundproofed to make sure the remainder of the family is not disturbed by the outcomes of all of the music tools. The glazed doorways actually make sure the house is superbly lit.
29. Give some thought to your synthetic mild sources
When planning your loft conversion, be sure you totally take into account lighting design ideas to realize a higher-quality house which will be loved at any time of day. Lighting design ideally ought to be made up of a number of several types of mild, together with activity lighting and ambient.
On this high flooring master bedroom, Neil Dusheiko Architects hid dimmable LED lights have been fitted alongside the perimeter to present the timber construction a comfortable glow.
30. Make your loft conversion baby pleasant
A terrific thought for a loft conversion is to show the house within the eaves right into a den or in your children’s bedroom ideas. They will use the house to sleep, play and hang around.
Bespoke built-in storage will assist to maintain muddle underneath management, and protecting partitions and flooring mild will assist a smaller house really feel greater. Bursts of color on function partitions (or ceiling slopes) might help to zone the room, whereas bean baggage and cushions in contrasting colors will present versatile consolation.
Use sensible, easy-to-clean finishes as has been achieved on this contemporary and ethereal house.
31. Construct an entertaining house into your loft
With extra of us spending time at dwelling, having a devoted house to entertain is on the wish-list. A house bar is a unusual thought and can work in any measurement loft house.
Sloping ceilings and odd angles will work to your benefit in relation to storage or seating.
Go daring with color, vegetation and comfortable furnishings, or hold issues impartial for a extra understated look. When you have alternative to create a roof terrace, then select the identical flooring for each the indoor and outside space to make them really feel like one cohesive house.
32. Concentrate on designing a loft room with a view
Maximising pure mild is a superb thought for a loft conversion and being up excessive offers an excellent alternative to make the most of your views.
Take into consideration whether or not you could possibly incorporate some full-height glazing, both mounted or opening, or rooflights. French or sliding doorways opening out to a Juliet balcony imply mild, contemporary air and a way of house can all be achieved, however the feasibility of including these will rely upon the kind of conversion you’re finishing up.
This attractive loft bed room enjoys unbelievable treetop views due to the image window and the seating that has been constructed into it.
33. Make a multi-functional house in your loft
When you have older youngsters, housemates or relations residing with you, then making a self-contained house for them within the loft generally is a nice use of house.
Equally, in the event you stay in a flat and personal the loft house, shifting your residing house up-top can provide an excellent alternative to create a multi-functional house that is full of sunshine and may take within the views.
This transformed house combines a kitchen, eating room and residing space multi functional.
34. Design your decor scheme with care
Ensure that the inside scheme you select in your new conversion displays what you may be utilizing it for. A bed room, for instance, will profit from a color scheme that soothes and feels heat and welcoming and additionally, you will want to concentrate to creating bedroom lighting ideas, whereas a house workplace would possibly go well with a more energizing, extra energetic scheme.
Darker tones will be paired with metallics to create an opulent but cosy really feel in an attic master bedroom — and on this instance, the bespoke darkish gray low-level partition cleverly conceals a dressing space from the large-format window reverse whereas nonetheless letting within the mild.
35. Incorporate alcoves and recesses into the design
By their very nature, loft conversions not often function straight traces and so they can usually current householders with some attention-grabbing challenges in relation to working with nooks, crannies, alcoves and weird ceiling shapes and heights.
When Mustard Architects created a contemporary open-plan dwelling workplace on the highest flooring of this dwelling they utilised the alcove within the current brickwork to offer a helpful house for storing workplace paraphernalia.
36. Flip a loft conversion right into a rooftop sanctuary
There’s no purpose why the highest storey of your own home shouldn’t profit from entry to outside house — and a roof terrace will be the right spot to take pleasure in among the greatest views within the dwelling.
Designed by Edward McCann Architects, this loft extension to a terraced home opens out onto a small outside terrace. Aluminium bifold doors have been used to maximise the width of the aperture, establishing a brilliant and breezy really feel inside.
Do loft conversions require planning permission?
In lots of circumstances it’s attainable to construct a loft conversion underneath permitted improvement, however you shouldn’t assume that this would be the case in your specific undertaking.
“There are particular standards your conversion would wish to satisfy to qualify for this, however even when your scheme does qualify, you’d be nicely suggested to get this totally confirmed by making use of to your native council for a Lawful Development Certificate first,” advises planning advisor Simon Rix.
The kind of loft conversion you construct can even impact whether or not or not planning permission is required. Mansard loft conversions will virtually all the time require a planning utility, for instance.
What are the headroom necessities for loft conversions?
“To see whether or not your loft makes the grade, merely stand underneath the very best level of the roof, normally within the centre of the loft, and test whether or not there may be not less than 2.8m clear vertical house,” advises Ian Rock. “This will likely sound overly formidable, however the accessible house will shrink as soon as the brand new flooring construction is constructed and the rafters are lined with thick layers of insulation.
“Normally, Constructing Rules stipulate a minimal of 2m clear headroom alongside all the size,” continues Ian. “Nevertheless, in relation to loft stairs, the foundations are extra relaxed. Right here the minimal headroom on the low-ceiling aspect will be as shallow as 1.8m rising to 1.9m within the centre of the staircase width and 2m on the interior aspect.”
Chartered surveyor Ian Rock MRICS is a director is Rightsurvey.co.uk and the creator of eight standard Haynes Home Manuals, together with the House Extension Guide, the Self Construct Guide and Interval Property Guide.
Ian can also be the founding father of Zennor Consultants. Along with offering home surveys, Zennor Consultants present skilled steering on property refurbishment and upkeep in addition to advising on the design and building of dwelling extensions and loft conversions, together with planning and Constructing Rules compliance.
Ian has just lately added a 100m2 extension to his dwelling; he designed and undertaking managed the construct and accomplished a lot of the inside fit-out on a DIY foundation.
Simon Rix is an expert planning advisor, who started his profession working in native authorities within the Nineteen Nineties. He was a council officer and later an elected councillor, so he is aware of how the planning system works from each side. He went on to arrange Planix.UK Planning Consultants Ltd; a consultancy firm that advises self builders, dwelling extenders and people taking up small to medium-sized constructing initiatives on planning permission.
Rebecca started her journalism profession writing for a luxurious property journal in Bangkok, earlier than re-locating to London and changing into a options editor for a self construct journal. She is an skilled houses and interiors journalist and has written for a lot of houses titles together with Homebuilding & Renovating, Superb House and Interval Dwelling.
She has experience on a wealth of matters — from oak body houses to kitchen extensions. She has a ardour for Victorian structure; her dream is to increase an 1800s home.