Inspiring Attic Design Ideas For An Exquisite Space

As big as your home may be, there is always the need of an extra room that can store your belongings. Sometimes, it will even be a room with a purpose-one where you transfer your otherwise noisy office, or a simple private corner for scrap booking.

Do you, by any chance, have an attic? Problem solved! Both finished and unfinished attics can be repurposed with modern attic house décor, and transformed to suit your needs.

Image source: MN Builders

Making a great space out of your attic will take nothing but a modest home renovation, and the reward will be a wonderful, private haven.

Consider our attic space design ideas to maximize the space you have available:

The Rule of 7

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Decorating an attic is a personal matter, and you can involve all tricks and codes you repute suitable. However, when size is concerned, you have to respect Rule 7 that will transform the attic in a proper room. The Rule 7 means that one half of the space (at least) has to be 7 feet wide and 7 feet high, while the total coverage of the space has to be 70 square feet.

Before you start implementing your own scheme, consult a professional and check whether there is a need of renovation or changes in the structure (does it take a special permit to do it, for instance).

Natural light

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In most cases, attics come with sloped ceilings and small windows, and that makes it difficult to bring natural light inside.

At the same time, light is essentially important for every room, and that includes the attic too, assuming that you’re trying to transfer a part of your living space there (bedrooms, family areas, etc). The usual way to go is to add dormers and large windows, even if they are known as space and money-consumers. Instead, you can choose a classy roof window or a skylight, easy to install, and wonderful to look at. In case you have a slanted ceiling, this is definitely the best solution for you.

Think above and beyond

Image source: WALK INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

One of the critical moments to think about before you start is how to get up or down from your wonderful ceiling. Sometimes, you will have to replace the ladder with a large stairway or introduce a climbing solution from scratch.

Having in mind that this can mean ‘chewing up’ 14 feet, you have to think about how this solution would affect the lower floor space.

Figure out how you’re going to get up and down from the finished attic space. If you don’t have that much space to waste, replace the traditional two-run stairs and intermediate landings with a spiral one that takes no more than 5 feet.

On the other hand, if space allows it, you can go for a luxurious set of stairs called lofts, which are good also because they allow you to take up whatever you want (even the largest furniture pieces).

Ladders, shorter tread modified stairs, and spiral ways won’t allow that!

Another important thing that can influence your choice is safety. If the space is supposed to be accessed by children, you have to provide them with a completely secure way to get there.

You decide

Image source: T-Space Design & Build

Dreams do come true! Your attic can become whatever you want it to be, from a recreational table tennis room to a bonus bathroom and a private office.

It can even be the long-desired fun room for your children which you always refused under the excuse that there is not enough space to make it. You don’t even have to get so creative-a quiet room where you can read or relax is also a good attic-inspired idea.

Insulation plans

Image source: Moroso Construction

Technical correctness is essential when repurposing attics: you have to think that this is the closest room to the roof, and it will be affected by the weather conditions. That makes proper insulation a top priority.

The next thing to consider is how to heat/cool the place. Hire an expert and use his advice on ventilation and air conditioning, because this is something that ought to be considered carefully.

Finally, don’t underestimate the role of the skylight on cooling and heating, because they can have the stack effect of exhausting rising air in order to provide abundant sunlight. They must be considered in every plan you are making.

Foundation

Image source: traci zeller designs

Prior to converting your attic space into a living area, we recommend you to hire a professional to make a detailed inspection of the foundation.

It needs to be strong enough to support all the furniture or inhabitants, so you may consider even implementing additional support systems.

Even when they were originally made to be sustainable, attics that are not used are affected by a touch of time. Floor support is a good idea in any case, considering that there are also building codes in the area that have to be respected.

Attic bathrooms

Image source: Harth Builders

Let’s be honest: building a bathroom in the attic will cost. However, you can economize by placing it next to the main stack of pipes that carry water to sewers or septic tanks.

Otherwise, you would have to install a very large pipe between the stack and the sinks/showers/toilets.

Don’t forget the emergency plans

Image source: Dumican Mosey Architects

Nobody wants to think about emergencies, but they do happen. Have in mind that the attic is the highest point of your home, and you need to think of a fast way to exit in case an emergency arises.

Determine a route, and buy safety products that can allow a secure exit through the window. Put them in a visible and easily accessible location, and make sure everybody knows where they are.

Framing

Image source: BWArchitects

Attics usually come with one of the following types of framing: trusses and rafters. Trusses are W-shaped frames that are difficult to change because you will have to remove a part of them in order to make some living space.

In case you’re planning to cut them or to replace them, you shouldn’t do it without professional help. A much better circumstance is to have rafters because they represent internal beams that start from the pick and move down to the eaves.

Most of the time, it means that you have enough space to bring every element that you want without having to touch them at all.

Keep it organized

Image source: Mary Cook

Define a purpose right away, and start thinking about which elements should be introduced or transformed. Attics are usually small, which means you don’t have space to waste, and you need to make every corner as enjoyable as you can. We advise you to get creative around storage and to decorate walls with numerous shelves.

The furniture should not be that large (unless the place itself is), and should ideally come with more than one purpose, or extra storage compartments. There are lots of options to consider here, for instance, storage ottomans or under-bed drawers.

Prevent moisture

Image source: Bagnato Architects

You certainly don’t want your new attic room to be damaged by water and moisture, so you should think of a way to prevent it. Before adding floors or walls, install sound ceiling barriers to stop roof water from going inside.

Final thoughts

Image source: Barnes Vanze Architects, Inc

Even if you don’t have an idea on how you would use the space, visit it, and think about it. With time and budget, renovating the ceiling can bring more benefits than damages, especially if you’re considering selling the house in the future.

A well-done room in the attic will become the favorite haven of the family, and you may end up using it more than you ever thought you would. Besides, decorating an attic will be fun for the entire family: everybody can contribute with tips and ideas.

Giving your home a 360 makeover involves a lot of expenses, so make sure to think about a home warranty that will cover the cost of home maintenance.

Attic design inspiration

If you have an attic then you can consider yourself a lucky person.

Think of how an attic could be if we did not just throw unnecessary things and we use it to recreate or for living. An attic could be a whole apartment or some parts of one.

Since we were children we used to hide in the basement or attic, now it is the same thing when we are looking for a quiet place away from the rest of the house. This is the moment to redecorate the old attic and make it a modern one.

Bedrooms in the attic are perfect for romantic people, who love to hear the rain falling above their head and the sound produced by its fall, or you can do a shower looking at snowflakes, or reading a book behind the warm sunshine.

In this article you will find inspiring attic design ideas for the exquisite space you want to create for yourself and your family.