Growing loft conversion concepts that benefit from the area in your attic is a key stage in making certain that the cash you spend reworking all that beautiful area inside your roof is properly price it.
The perfect loft conversion ideas consider not solely the dimensions of the area you’re working with, but additionally head peak, window placement and what every space of the conversion will likely be used for.
Right here, we check out one of the best layouts for loft conversions of every kind, from these which can be supposed to be used as an occasional visitor bed room, to areas which can be to turn into master suite suites full with loos, or these that may present a do business from home area.
Growing loft conversion format concepts
Lofts may be tough areas to work with — not often good and sq. and sometimes with numerous peak restrictions, nooks and crannies to work round. There’s additionally the truth that area for a staircase from beneath to emerge must be accommodated for. If you put all these elements collectively then it’s straightforward to see why layouts want cautious consideration to be able to be certain that your funds is not wasted.
After all totally different types of loft conversion lead to totally different sorts of areas, however utilizing a loft conversion specialist is a good way to make sure that you get probably the most from the area you’ve accessible. As well as, most good architects and home designers with expertise of any such venture also needs to be capable to assist.
You’ll most likely have already got a good suggestion of what you propose on utilizing your loft conversion for, however do take the time to consider how else you’ll be able to maximise the area — for instance, in the event you plan on utilizing it as a spare bed room, think about methods to up the storage ranges of your house throughout the new conversion. You possibly can additionally take into consideration whether or not you might need room for a loo as well as.
1. Use the peak of the area for storage
Within the areas the place you’ve loads of head peak in your loft conversion, actually try to benefit from it. In a loft toilet this would possibly imply positioning your bathe enclosure within the highest level, or you could possibly select to construct in storage that stretches so far as attainable up the wall.
This loft master suite suite is the right instance of a loft conversion format that make the very most of each inch of area. A great deal of storage and show nooks and crannies have been in-built to encompass the mattress, whereas a neat little ensuite leads immediately off. Intelligent positioning of rooflights ensures the entire room feels mild and shiny.
2. Work with the naked bones of the construction
When constructing areas into the roof you’ve the chance to reveal a few of the construction and to go away it that method. In case you are fortunate sufficient to stay in a interval property with lovely authentic beams then use your loft conversion to reveal them and add a way of heat and appeal.
On this cosy master suite suite, the toilet leads off the sleeping quarters by means of compact double doorways — the 2 rooms actually benefit from the total size of the area whereas the sloping sections present area to tuck within the mattress and window.
3. Take the chance to construct in a balcony
In loft conversions it’s so necessary to drag in loads of pure mild the place you’ll be able to and, if attainable to offer views to outdoors — and finished properly, balcony ideas may be the best technique to do each.
“Balconies are a great way to interrupt out of the pitched roof, with full peak dormer home windows or doorways,” says architect Ian Phillips.” You do, nevertheless, must be conscious that if you wish to incorporate a balcony into your loft conversion it’s possible you’ll properly require planning permission.”
This lovely loft conversion bed room leads out to the balcony through double doorways.
4. Flip your loft right into a multi-purpose area
No matter dimension loft conversion you’re constructing, it actually is worth it eager about how one can design your format to include a number of actions. It could be that you simply plan on utilizing your loft conversion as a visitor bed room when the necessity arises however as a house workplace for almost all of the time, for instance.
On this roomy conversion, the bed room space will get precedence whereas a small ensuite is positioned underneath the best level of the roof. To 1 facet of the ensuite sits an workplace space whereas the opposite facet has been used to sneak in some loft storage ideas.
5. Be intelligent along with your use of the vertical area
To your loft conversion to work properly, correct consideration must be given not simply to the primary areas inside it, but additionally to the best way by which you’ll entry the brand new room.
With regards to the staircase that will likely be used to entry the loft, keep in mind that the minimal headroom on the low-ceiling facet may be as shallow as 1.8m rising to 1.9m within the centre of the staircase width and 2m on the interior facet.
“The place restricted headroom is an insurmountable drawback, akin to when taking a look at loft conversions for difficult roof constructions, it might necessitate switching to ‘Plan B’ — shifting the steps to a extra central location underneath the roof’s highest level,” advises chartered surveyor Ian Rock. “The difficulty is, if the staircase now pops up simply the place the double mattress was meant to go, it may simply wreck your fastidiously devised plans for the brand new dwelling area.”
On this loft bed room, the sleeping area has been tucked away from the doorway hall to provide it a comfortable really feel.
6. Place beds underneath the bottom ceiling part
Your bedroom loft conversion ideas ought to, firstly, consider mattress positioning. It is smart to put the mattress underneath the bottom part of ceiling as you’re prone to be mendacity down on this area.
On this candy twin bed room the 2 single beds are nestled both facet of the room whereas the best level is reserved for strolling round.
7. Use uncommon roof shapes so as to add character
The attention-grabbing traces of extra advanced roof structures are properly price bearing in mind when eager about your loft conversion format. As talked about beforehand, take into consideration methods to plan the area in order that the bottom factors are reserved for furnishings on which you’ll sit or lie and preserve the extra voluminous factors within the room for standing.
This gorgeous modern master suite suite has loads of headroom all through, however the transitional space between bed room and loo has been became a characteristic by highlighting the change in roof form and pitch.
8. Construct storage into your eaves area
Even small loft conversions may be lovely, helpful and peaceable locations to spend time in offering the format is correctly deliberate out. This implies itemizing all of your necessities from the area and enjoying round with layouts till the specified result’s achieved.
The proprietor of this Victorian dwelling has transformed the loft area right into a bed room that manages to squeeze in loads of helpful built-in storage ideas, utilizing your entire size of the under-eaves area as in-built cabinets.
9. Divide your loft into a couple of room
Whereas the variety of rooms you’ll be able to match into your loft conversion will clearly rely upon how a lot area you’ve up there, it’s properly price contemplating dividing the world up into greater than only one open area. Maybe you would possibly like to think about situating two kids’s bedrooms in your new third storey, or carve the area as much as embrace a bed room, dressing room and luxurious en suite.
On this loft conversion venture, two adjoining bedrooms have been created, with a wall separating the 2. Constructing wardrobes into both facet of this wall takes care of storage, whereas the lovable sleeping area is tucked underneath the sloping part of roof.
“Loft conversion bathrooms are tough to benefit from — they’re usually small and should need to consider sloping ceilings, relying on the kind of loft conversion you’ve opted for,” says skilled houses and interiors journalist Rebecca Foster.
That mentioned, additionally they make a lot sense — and in the event you plan on finding a bed room inside your loft conversion, are just about non-negotiable. With regards to layouts, place the tub beneath the bottom ceiling level and use the eaves area for storage. It is smart to find the bathe underneath the best level.
For those who can line the bathroom up with any others beneath it is possible for you to to avoid wasting on prices as you’ll be able to hook up with the prevailing soil pipe.
Is there a minimal dimension for a loft conversion?
In case you are nonetheless questioning ‘is my loft suitable for conversion?‘ keep in mind that whereas there isn’t any minimal dimension, you clearly want sufficient area in your loft for it to be match for objective.
“Most lofts can present at the least 20m2 of gross ground space which, on paper, must be greater than sufficient for a double bed room,” says Ian Rock. “Nonetheless, not all of this area will likely be useable. So much depends upon the roof pitch – as a rule, the steeper the higher.
“The primary ‘pinch-point’ with loft conversions may be summed up in a single phrase – headroom,” continues Ian. “To see whether or not your loft makes the grade, merely stand underneath the best level of the roof, often within the centre of the loft, and test whether or not there may be at the least 2.8m clear vertical area.”
How can I get sufficient pure mild into my loft?
When designing the format of your loft, do not overlook the significance of pure mild.
When it comes to home windows, rooflights are a typical technique of pulling in daylight and sometimes please planning departments too. Dormer home windows are one other wonderful means so as to add mild concurrently growing the sense of area.
For those who do not thoughts spending a bit extra, think about totally glazing a gable or including a Juliette balcony and full peak glass doorways.
Chartered surveyor Ian Rock MRICS is a director is Rightsurvey.co.uk and the creator of eight widespread Haynes Home Manuals, together with the House Extension Guide, the Self Construct Guide and Interval Property Guide.
Ian can 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 development 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 venture managed the construct and accomplished a lot of the inside fit-out on a DIY foundation.
Rebecca started her journalism profession writing for a luxurious property journal in Bangkok, earlier than re-locating to London and turning 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, Splendid 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.