How to Maximise Natural Light in your Loft Conversion

Attics can often be dark and dingy, only ever ventured into when in need of a suitcase for your upcoming holiday or the Christmas decorations when the festive period comes around. When transforming this space from storage room to living area, it’s important that it feels homely and inviting, and a crucial element in achieving this is natural light.

Whilst it may be easy to add in artificial lighting, with natural light comes multiple benefits – mood-boosting, providing Vitamin D and reducing headaches and eye strain. As these spaces don’t tend to have windows already installed, this will need to be added and carefully thought out during the design process of your loft conversion.

Which type of windows are best for a loft conversion?

The most common type of windows used in a loft conversion are roof windows. This needs to be carefully considered in the design process as they will be built into the slanted ceiling of your loft. In particular, Velux roof windows are a great option for effectively controlling light and airflow throughout the room.

Dormer windows may be a more suitable option for you if the roof in your attic is extremely low. Building outwards and installing vertical windows helps to open up the space and allow room for standing and taller furniture. They can also be a beautiful design feature, especially if you live in the countryside, with floor to ceiling windows or doors looking out over the surroundings of your home.

How many loft windows will I need?

The number of windows you choose to install entirely depends on the amount of free wall space within your loft conversion. We would, however, recommended having at least one window on each side of the room to allow for effective ventilation and natural lighting. If the room allows, two on each side will maximise the effects of this.

North-facing vs South-facing loft windows

You may want to take into consideration whether your loft conversion is north or south facing as this may affect the heat and light that floods through the room throughout the day. Be aware that a north-facing window will let in consistent, stable light whereas a window of any other orientation will most likely have periods of direct sunlight coming into the room. This can make the room particularly hot or over-exposed; therefore blackout blinds should be installed in an attempt to control this.

Additional features

It’s not just windows that control the light and feel of a loft conversion. There are a few additional features you can add to maximise the space and make it as comfortable and accessible as possible. Large mirrors and pale, neutral colours will contribute to opening up the space and making it feel bright and airy. This could also make your loft conversion appear bigger which is always desirable when working with a small space. Think about adding warm lighting in the form of fairy lights or corner lamps to set the mood when the sun goes down and natural light diminishes.

If you are thinking about a loft conversion but need help with design and planning in order to maximise natural lighting, get in touch today and our friendly, expert team would be happy to discuss your requirements.