The loft conversion is underway but all of a sudden, those quirky spaces from the blue-print are looking a bit redundant … so what can you do? In truth, oddly shaped, impractical spaces are commonly found in loft conversions but it’s easy enough to turn them into spaces to be adored, rather than ignored …
Play with position
Positioning the furnishings and items for the room can be a good way to try out ways of maximizing space and also for identifying preferences.
For instance, having the bed against an upright end wall might achieve plenty of headroom but may leave few areas in the rest of the room which have height for wardrobes. The alternative of locating the bed against a lower wall just under the sloping ceiling may leave more space for wardrobes but mean the potential for accidental head bumps when getting up in the night. By trying the different ways, you can identify what works for you in terms of enjoying this lovely room you’ve created, with a view to then trying out ideas for savvy storage to fit into the remaining spaces and ways to use natty niches.
Fitting in
Built-in units and customized, fitted furniture can be a loft space stalwart which brings the benefit of custom-fitted to the space. Quirky corners and sloping ceilings can be taken into account to allow space to be used to its maximum potential and in ways which enhance, rather than impede the flow of the room.
Built-in wardrobe storage is almost a must in order for a loft bedroom. If full height walls are limited, it can help to think of wardrobe storage in terms of ‘tops and bottoms’. These items do not need a full height wardrobe and extra space can instantly be created by building in a double decker hanging system to accommodate them. If this is the ideal solution for fitting in clothing, but it leaves full length items lurking, these can always be stored in an alternative bedroom or a single full height wardrobe which will take up much less space than a double.
Similarly, if there’s no room for traditionally sized bookcases, ladder-width shelving can be created floor to ceiling to give narrow, but necessary additional storage, whilst built-in modular units and pigeon hole type cubbies can provide ideal storage for clothes, shoes and toys, depending on the use of the room.
Another benefit of custom made furniture is what it brings to the design and style of your room: furniture can be created to complement the materials used in the conversion, such as a particular wood or painted finish, to achieve a full design effect such as a Scandi style or with a tiled finish for a contemporary feel.
Making the bed up
Even though a loft bedroom is already at the top of the house, taking the bed to the next level by creating an elevated bed is another way of gaining additional storage. If headroom is limited, a bed could be elevated simply by creating a storage drawer bed base or cabin type bed with storage below. However, if headroom is no problem, then creating bunks or raised bed areas can move the beds off the floor to create storage or additional leisure space.
Work on the window space
One of the great features of a loft room is the window with its view above the roof-tops. It’s possible to maximise space and make the most of the views at the same time with the creation of a window seat with hidden storage. Dormer windows lend themselves particularly well to this as they have a natural width and depth which would often otherwise be wasted.
Floors and ceilings
One of the problems of loft spaces comes from low ceilings but these, whilst limited for storage, can offer alternative uses. Where significant wall space for pictures and decoration might be limited, low ceilings can be easily stencilled or decorated with wallpaper or textiles to create artistic features and areas of interest. Fun space for children can be achieved by using blackboard paint on low walls or ceilings, to give them their own art space in a loft playroom, or can be used similarly in a loft room study / office to offer a ready-made notice / reminder board.
Below this, floor space which is limited in its use due to the roof pitch can still be used for built-in storage and for low-level items such as blanket boxes which can offer their own storage potential. Low height tables such as coffee tables are ideal as bedsides for low beds (useful for making the most of low ceiling height) and, used with floor cushions, can be used to create a simple lounge or reading space in an apex of the room where sloping ceilings would otherwise mean dead space. Fabric cube cushions / seats are also another good choice as textiles cosy up the room.
Steps to storage
Another feature often overlooked but always under foot with a loft room is the stairway. The tiny house trend of cubbies and drawers being built into stair treads has sparked many innovations in stair storage, whilst using alternative stairways such as space saver staircases is a good way to ensure that the stairs take up the minimum space.
Finally, it’s also wise to think creatively about how storage is accessed – using sliding doors and curtained spacescan take up less room than using swing-open doors, whilst placing mirrors, hooks or pocket storage on the insides of any doors you do have will mean these doors themselves will offer storage or space maximising attributes and allow you to make the most of your loft room.
from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2016/05/creative-ideas-for-awkward-loft.html
