Spare a thought for the lonesome loft. Crammed with junk, coated in dust and crying out for attention, who’d want to be the loftiest room of the house? Not us. And really, can we even call it a room? We’ll add a lack of identity to our list, then.
But with a few caveats in place – your loft should be at least 2.2 metres tall at its highest point to make it convertible and accommodating to even the tallest person – you can turn this dejected, rejected space into somewhere everyone wants to spend time.
If you’re looking for a New Year’s project that will breathe new life, vigour and personality into your property, then it’s time to look upwards. No, not to the Big Man In The Sky, silly, but to your loft. Let’s make things practical and possible; for inspiration beyond storage, here are 7 loft conversion ideas for the new year.
A Secluded, Productivity-Positive Home Office
Two years since COVID changed the way we work, possibly forever, and the number one priority in so many homes across the country still remains the same; to eke out some extra room for a dedicated home office.
We’ve all felt the oppressive noise of, well, anything intruding on our Zoom conferences and client consultations, and to have somewhere domestically set apart from the hustle and bustle of the home would be ideal. The dream. Heaven.
Should your loft be of the requisite height, then converting it to a home office is a great idea. You’re going to need some natural light in there to make your office habitable and productive, and a skylight is the obvious choice here. Aside from that, a desk at the right height, your trusty laptop or desktop, and a WiFi booster or multiroom WiFi system (signal rarely reaches to the loft) are the essentials.
After that, some flourishes to make your office a haven of wellbeing are bound to bring productivity and contentment. You’ll never want to leave!
A Tech Free Retreat
Yep, we appreciate the irony of suggesting this after we’ve encouraged you to set up WiFi and a laptop in your loft, but we’re just throwing some ideas around and seeing what sticks, right? So, conversely, why not dedicate your loft space into a space for reflection, contemplation and escape from the tyranny of tech. You know it makes sense.
Embrace the lack of internet signal the higher you climb as a blessing, and instead convert the loft into a simple, cosy space where you can recharge, relax, read, take some time for yourself to meditate, and forget about the world outside and below. Install a comfy sofa or simpler still, some beanbags, as well as a couple of lamps and scented candles, and breathe. We think everyone deserves a bit of that kind of escapism.
A Hobby Haven
It’s the dream of so many, from midlife crisee to reclusive teen hobbyist, from esoteric interests enthusiast to semi-professional side-hustler… To have a whole room devoted to their hobby or passion, to really get stuck into it without interruption from the outside world.
So, if you have a loft ripe for renovation, consider allocating it to the hobbies of the house. This could be a music room, complete with piano, guitar and recording equipment, which can be conveniently, easily soundproofed using standard loft insulation. Or, an art studio dedicated to encouraging creativity, with an easel, paints and brushes in place. Imagine the pieces you could conceive in your own devoted space free from interruption.
Of course, the way you approach this room will differ depending on whether you’re planning a loft conversion in London or in the countryside, and how you go about soundproofing is as much reliant on external factors as it is on the noise you’re making within.
Read: Innovative soundproofing solutions for your city centre home
A Bathroom
A spacious, dedicated bathroom which focuses on the fun rather than the functional is so many homeowner’s idea of luxury, don’t you think? If you have a loft which you’re keen to convert, then perhaps it’s destiny that you turn yours into a bathroom.
We’d implore you not to hold back on the sense of luxury here, as it won’t be your home’s primary bathroom. Without wishing to be vulgar, the main bodily functions will naturally be occurring in the more easily accessible bathroom on a lower floor, which grants you the perfect excuse to make the loft bathroom a space of pampering and indulgence.
If you’re wondering how to channel this desire to make your loft based bathroom somewhere you really want to spend time, check out our tips on the IDEAL items to add luxury to your bathroom.
A Guestroom
With the emphasis on room, here. Since no guest wants to feel as if they’ve been shoehorned into the smallest space possible as an afterthought, it’s essential that you endeavour to maximise the space and make the most out of tricky corners if you’re going to convert your loft into a guestroom. That’s not to say it’s not possible in a compact area, although it is important to check first if there’s room for a bed.
Of course, it’s essential you evaluate the size of your loft to see if it can fully accommodate a double bed and a bit of furniture. There’s little point a guest room that estate agents would charitably describe as ‘cosy’, and that you’ll never use because of its small size.
To maximise space in the guestroom, so visitors don’t feel like they’re constantly under threat from banged heads or stubbed toes, consider a small mezzanine area, which could cover some of the storage demands of the new room.
Also make sure you opt for brighter shades – white for the walls is ideal – in the decor of your loft conversion, to give the illusion of space. On a similar theme, make sure natural light is taken full advantage of, fitting windows and skylights into the curvature of the roof. Alternatively, to eke out more space and give guests the opportunity to, you know, actually stand up straight, consider a dormer loft conversion, a structural extension that projects vertically from the plane of a sloping roof, creating additional floor space and headroom within the loft space.
Simple wooden flooring with an attractive rug completes the look here in an affordable, easy to pull off way, and suddenly your guest will feel honoured to be given such a cute, cosy space.
A Personal Fitness Studio
In an era where health and wellbeing are paramount, having a personal space to exercise can be a game-changer. Transforming your loft into a fitness studio or home gym offers a convenient and private area to focus on your health goals.
Ensure the floor is reinforced to support heavy equipment and consider installing mirrors to create a spacious gym-like atmosphere. Rubber flooring can absorb impact and reduce noise, while adequate ventilation will keep the area fresh. Whether it’s for yoga, weightlifting, or cardio workouts, a loft gym can be tailored to suit any fitness regime.
A Children’s Playroom & Learning Zone
For families with young children, a loft can become a magical playroom and educational space. By converting your loft into a child-friendly zone, you can provide a safe and stimulating environment for play and learning. Incorporate bright colours, interactive play mats, and educational toys to encourage creativity and development.
Built-in storage solutions can keep the space tidy, while a comfortable seating area allows for storytime or relaxation. Safety is paramount, of course, so ensure that windows are secure and furniture is anchored. This conversion not only gives children their own special place but also helps to keep the rest of the house clutter-free.
The Bottom Line
Though the storage solutions gifted by having a roomy loft are certainly welcome, if you’re keen to expand the spaciousness of your home and potentially add value without actually building outwards, converting your loft is a smart move.