A Round-Up Of The Best Loft Conversion Ideas

From family life and daily living to home working and hobbies, our homes have never been used in so many different ways! It’s no wonder that loft conversions are becoming more and more creative, but what do you need to consider and how might you use that space?

Family space – additional bedrooms/bathrooms or a children’s playroom

Loft conversions are often the logical solution for growing families who need additional space but don’t want to move home. They can be an economical way to add an extra bedroom for children or guests, a family bathroom to ease the morning race for the shower before the school run or a playroom where kids can entertain themselves and their friends without disturbing anyone else in the house.

It’s likely to be cheaper to carry out a loft conversion than it is to buy a new house with all the amenities you need already in place – plus you get to plan it to your exact specifications and likely add value to your home at the same time.

Workspace – a home office in line with your profession

Even if you don’t need extra living space, there are many other reasons you might consider a loft conversion. Do you work from home? More and more people do and it can be distracting trying to work in the main part of the house with the bustle of family life going on around you. A home office in your loft could provide the solution. Or perhaps you need to welcome clients into your home – maybe you’re a home therapist, so it’s important to have a peaceful place to take clients away from the main part of the house.

In either case, plenty of electrics will be important and natural light will be a top consideration, not least to reduce your electricity bills, but to create a calm, welcoming space to put people at ease.

Think about the position of loft windows – a dormer window may be best where headroom is low, but if you’re lucky enough to have a gable end wall, both light and space can be maximised with a full-length window and even a balcony.

Think also about other aspects which make the conversion fit for purpose, such as running water, so that utilities can be incorporated into the conversion design.

Hobby or creative space

Your very own home gym

Want to work out without having to go to the gym? You can, but give additional thought to load-bearing and flooring as gym equipment can be weighty. For example, a cross-trainer can weigh around 76kg, even before the rigour of a person using it. Floor-to-ceiling windows add a view and encourage a sense of exercising outside, complete with breeze and views, replicating the feel-good endorphin rush of outdoor training runs.

A home cinema, games room, music room or recording studio

If exercise isn’t your idea of recreation, perhaps music, film or gaming are? Your loft space could become a home cinema, man cave, games room or, for the musical, a place to house your sound system and instruments, jam with your bandmates or lay down some tracks in your own recording studio. Again, electrics and load bearing will be prime considerations, and maximising natural light will help boost your creativity. Think about insulation too, particularly if there will be excessive footfall or noise. This might include sound-proofing floor and party walls so as not to disturb others.

Tranquillity in a yoga/meditation studio

Perhaps you’re in need of more peaceful pursuits. How about converting your loft into a yoga or meditation studio? You’ll need to consider air conditioning to control temperature and ensure you have sufficient headroom for standing postures. Appropriate flooring is also important to ensure exercise mats won’t slip.

Get creative in an art or photography studio

If you have an art or craft hobby, why not create a dedicated studio? Plan the space so desks or easels are close to windows to make the best use of natural light without stooping, and make full use of eaves space to store your equipment. All aspects which make the conversion fit for creative purposes, such as access to a sink or suitable lighting, need to be considered so that utilities can be incorporated into the conversion design. Portrait painters or photographers may also want to incorporate a sofa for sittings.

A home library or writing room

Maybe you’re a budding author or avid reader. Built-in shelving for books in your home library or writing room can be maximised by using eaves and you’ll want to position chairs or desks near windows, and also include spotlighting for dull days or evenings.

Thinking creatively outside the space

Think creatively outside the space itself to ensure that the stairway also fits the proposed use of the room. This should be considered during the design stage. Whatever objects are going up and down, from large canvases for art or heavy instruments for music, your loft conversion stairway needs to be safe and practical so that your creative space can fulfil its potential.

Let Abbey Partnership help you achieve your vision

It’s amazing what can be done with clever design to make the best use of loft space, whether small or large. Abbey Partnership’s expert team are happy to help you achieve your vision – contact us for more information.