Certain rooms in a house get a lot of use. Think for example of how much utility you get out of your kitchen and bathroom. Other rooms, on the other hand, go underutilized. They have a lot of space, but, for some reason, that space isn’t used for anything important. This is usually the case with people’s attics. While your attic may currently be filled with junk, here are four exciting ideas for that space once you get rid of all that clutter.
Guest Bedroom
Most people don’t have guest bedrooms. They only have a master bedroom and maybe one or two more for children. However, if you have an attic, you don’t have to make your guests sleep on the couch. Instead, get into your attic and remodel it. Add a bed, some furniture, and some interior design to make it homey. Your guests are sure to love it.
Home Gym
Another great idea is to take your attic and transform into a home gym. If you clean out all the junk you may have stored up in your attic, you’ll end up with a lot of extra space. That should be enough space for exercise equipment. Consider getting a treadmill, exercise bike, weight set, and other pieces of exercise equipment and placing them in your attic. You’ll have your own gym right at home.
Man Cave
If you’re a man or have a man who needs some time alone once in a while, one excellent idea for an attic remodeling project is to create a man cave. Add everything a man loves like a bar stocked with brewskis, a pool table, and a big screen TV to watch football. Add some décor such as neon signage and old beer advertisements to complete the transformation of your attic into a Fortress of Manitude.
Home Theater
However, you may also want to convert your attic into a space the entire family can take advantage of. If that is your goal, one great choice is to create a home theater in your attic. You may not even have to use a large TV to do this. If you paint your attic wall white, you can use an actual projector. Add some comfy leather chairs and couches, as well as a popcorn machine, to complete the transformation.
Most attics have a lot of space. Consider using garbage removal services to get rid of all your junk stored up there. Once your space is clear of clutter, there are almost unlimited possibilities for an exciting attic remodeling project.
You could say that people are always looking for ways to create more space in their homes. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about hidden drawers or multifunctional furniture; if it allows you to get more space in your home, we’re all in! A great way to get more space without actually having to add another room is to transform your attic into a cosy, chic room. While some might think that attics are meant to be additional storage spaces, others know that with a pinch of creativity and dedication you can get a lovely chic room.
Pay attention to insulation
Attics are rooms which are always the hottest in the summer and coldest in the winter, but when you’re planning on spending more time there you should think about proper insulation. Adding insulation is always an option, though you should perhaps think about replacing your old one if it’s inefficient. Proper insulation will make the room more comfortable to be in and it will improve the overall comfort and energy efficiency of your home.
A touch of colour
You might think that a room in the attic is the perfect place to use all of your favourite colours, but it would probably be a bit too much. White is usually the safest choice because it makes the place appear cleaner and more spacious, but if you’re hoping to add a bit of colour, you should keep it modest. Limit the use of bright colours and try covering a single wall with wallpapers instead. Having a single brightly coloured wall will allow you to keep the rest of the room white and still get an airy feel.
Use natural light
The downside of attics is that they usually don’t have enough natural light and if the ceilings are sloped, it means that it’s going to be very difficult to add windows. Even though dormers are the most convenient and popular solution, the installation can take up a lot of time and it can also be rather costly. Instead, you could try adding skylights or roof windows and get plenty of natural light in the room. Still, it can be hot during those warmer months, so adding skylight shades is a good idea. Not only will they keep the light in and the heat out, but you can choose a nice patterned fabric and make a statement. With the right fabric, you’ll brighten up the room and still be able to keep the heat out.
Modular furniture
Adding another room to your house is a great move, and you’ll want to use as much available space as possible. Luckily, you might also be able to use a few tricks and get extra space without much trouble. Modular sofas are perfect for chic lounges and there are also models that allow you to extend the seat and chaise so you can relax after a long day. Convenient stackable modular storage boxes, armchairs that hide drawers, and coffee tables with stackable chairs are just some of the options you have for furnishing your chic attic.
Some wood up your sleeve
A great way to get that chic boho feel in the new room is to play the ‘loft card’ and use as much wood as you can. This doesn’t mean just using wooden furniture and calling it a day – get some wooden home-ware too. Feel free to be creative and play with different kinds of wood because it will look eclectic yet united at the same time. Get that minimalistic Scandinavian look with several pieces of pale wood or opt for something a bit darker. Another great way to get that rustic chic look is to leave the beams in natural wood and get the matching furniture.
Finishing touches
No room is complete without those little details that make you feel at home: mirrors, photos, fluffy pillows, and soft rugs. It’s the little things such as gallery walls and several small mirrors grouped together to make an interesting new shape that make the difference between ‘just a room’ and a chic room. A nice lamp in the corner, a small flower in a nice pot that’s placed on a shelf and a decorative scented candle will be enough to make a room into a comfy cocoon.
Even if you’re not sure whether your attic would make a good room, you could always call an expert and ask their opinion. It’s always better to consult a professional before you start such important projects because it will help you set a budget and perhaps even prepare some materials in advance. Arm yourself with patience and make detailed plans because transforming an attic is always a huge step, and being well-prepared will allow you to finish sooner and be happier with the result.
As you walk around your house, one of the spaces that might seem a bit lonely is the attic. It’s often an area that is used for storage, especially if you don’t have a lot of closet space in the home. There are a few remodeling ideas that you might want to consider so that you’ll have some kind of living space for the family instead of a wasted room.
Design an Extra Bedroom
If you plan on expanding your family in the future or if you want to invite parents or other family members to move in when they are older, then consider transforming the attic into a bedroom. Wire mesh—think of the type that you would have it you were to use SKS overscreens—can be added before dry-walling and painting so that there is a bit more insulation as well as support for the walls. Add a bed, dresser, television and other comforts that your guests would have at their own home so that it’s a relaxing environment.
Play With the Kids
Transform the attic into a playroom for the kids. With bright paint, fun wall stickers and decorations and a hardwood floor that’s fun for playing on, your attic can be a mecca for children to enjoy. Carpeting is an idea for young children, but if you have hardwood or at least laminate that looks like wood, then children can ride a tricycle or play with cars and other toys that have wheels on them easier than they could if there’s carpet in the room.
Relax the Day Away
Since the attic is often a quiet space away from the rest of the home, turn it into a reading area. Install plush carpet and oak walls that make space look like a library. Put bookcases along one wall and a comfortable couch or chair along another wall so that you can read a book in peace when you want some time to yourself. You could also create a space where children can do their homework without worrying about the noises from the rest of the home.
Take a Soothing Bath
There’s nothing like having an extra bathroom in the home, which is a design option for the attic. You’re going to need to make sure the plumbing is installed correctly before decorating so that you have a tub, shower or combination. This bathroom can be one where you escape from the stress of everyday life or just an extra bathroom for when it seems like a line is forming at the other one in the home.
There are numerous ideas for your attic space. Think about what you could use in the home, and get to work designing a space that can be enjoyed by the family. It might take some work since it’s at a higher level than the rest of the home, but the effort will be worth the investment.
Attic Conversions Offer A Great Return On Investment!
Moving up – vacating your current, smallish home for a larger, roomier abode – was the American way before the Great Recession. Now that the economy is humming again, at least some of the people who stayed put during those lean years will be looking to move into larger, nicer homes this summer. High demand and low inventory, however, may leave many with nowhere to go. Some will rediscover a time-honored space-gaining technique: attic conversion.
As home improvements go, converting an attic into usable living space has a high return on investment – about 84 percent at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. That’s if you use your unfinished attic to create a 15-by-15-foot bedroom and a modest 5-by-7-foot bathroom with shower. Create a larger, more luxurious and more elaborate space and the ROI could be even greater. If your family is bursting at the seams, the value of added space will be measured in comfort, convenience and peace of mind, rather than resale dollars.
As with any home renovation project, achieving an attic conversion requires you to balance numerous factors, from budget and objective to space and architectural limitations. Some of your most-desired features – such as ample natural light or a full bathroom – may seem out of reach. They don’t have to be, though, if you rely on some time-tested techniques to maximize the space.
Lighting the natural way
Typically, attics aren’t built with a lot of windows, and adding them may be difficult if the ceiling is sloped. Yet natural light is a highly prized feature in virtually any room, especially if you’re converting your attic into a bedroom, family room or other public area. Traditional solutions include adding dormers, which can be costly and time-consuming. What’s more, windows and dormers can eat up wall space, which is often at a premium in attics.
Skylights or roof windows can be a better option in an attic space. They require less time and cost to install than dormers and can easily live on slanted ceilings. Choose Energy Star-qualified no-leak, solar-powered fresh-air skylights, add solar-powered blinds, and you can achieve a light-filled attic room that is both beautiful and energy efficient. The cost of the products, including installation, are eligible for a 30-percent federal tax credit.
Roof windows, which are less expensive than dormers, are another cost-effective attic conversion option. Roof windows offer maximum ventilation plus the added advantage of meeting building code requirements as points of emergency escape and egress.
Heating and cooling
Attics are often the hottest or coldest room in the house, depending on the time of year and the quality of your home’s insulation. Creating a comfortable atmosphere in a converted attic requires expert planning.
You may need to increase insulation. Because insulation has such a significant impact on a home’s overall comfort and energy efficiency, it makes sense to invest in the best you can afford. Spray foam is often a good option for converted attics because it can go easily between existing joists and create a tight air barrier without losing the inches of space required for thick fiberglass batt insulation.
You’ll also need to consider how you will heat and cool the space. A heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system expert can help you determine the best approach.
Skylights and roof windows can also play an important role in your heating and cooling conversion plan due to the chimney effect they utilize to exhaust rising hot air from an attic space while providing abundant daylight and fresh air.
Add a bathroom
Adding a bathroom anywhere in a home is usually a good investment. Bathroom additions return about 60 percent of your investment at the time of resale, according to the Cost vs. Value Report. Creating an attic bathroom can be simple – if pipes are already present – or challenging if no plumbing exists in the space.
One alternative to traditional plumbing is up-flush, which allows you to install sinks, toilets, showers and even bath tubs without engaging in major construction to accommodate traditional plumbing pipes. Up-flush plumbing cost less than traditional plumbing methods and is easier to fit into tight spaces – like the odd nooks that often occur in attics.
With planning and the right materials, it’s possible to convert an attic into a living space that makes your home even more livable for your family while you’re staying in place. Plus, it will enhance your home’s value down the road when you’re ready to move up.
Contact us today for a free in home consultation on how we can help you transform your attic into an additional bedroom, family room, home office or whatever you choose!
