If they were generally used as storage rooms in the past, attics now benefit from many techniques to create additional liveable spaces in the house. Perfect for the design of an adult, teenager or child's bedroom, it is however necessary to follow certain tips to succeed in making it a cosy and functional place. Discover in this article 8 tips to design a bedroom in the attic.
A bedroom in the attic
Some recommendations before fitting out an attic bedroom
Whether you want to install a master suite, a children's room or even a teenager's room under your attic, you must first and foremost ensure that the space benefits from effective insulation. This is essential to avoid being too hot in summer or too cold in winter. In addition to thermal insulation, floor insulation is also important to avoid heat loss and noise pollution.
Another element that must be taken into consideration is the openings. If you have old single-glazed windows, for example, it is highly recommended that they be replaced with double-glazing. If you have no openings or too few, do not hesitate to enlarge the ones you have or to add several roof windows, for example, which will allow you to enjoy pleasant natural light all year round. Finally, you will certainly need to plan an electrical renovation or add electrical outlets. Let's move on to the tips that will allow you to create a cosy room in your attic.
1. Highlighting the beams
In the attic, most of the time, the framework is visible. And it is, moreover, the beams that give the space cachet. We can therefore only recommend that you carefully look after this wonderful asset, which will certainly add a touch of authentic charm to your room. There are several ways to enhance them. Depending on your tastes but also on the space you have, you can opt to bleach them or keep them raw or sanded.
Accentuated beams
2. Opt for light colours
Attic spaces can sometimes feel dark and cramped. To make them feel larger, it will be necessary to bring in light. To do this, light colours should be used for both the walls and the floors. Do not hesitate to repaint the walls, ceilings and beams in white. If you want to add an original or dynamic touch to the room, you can use patterned wallpaper or a more colourful paint on a wall. As for the floors, you can choose to sand the wood to lighten it or consider covering it with a floating parquet or PVC flooring in a light colour such as beige or light grey for example.
Favour light colours
3. Make the most of ceiling height
If you are lucky enough to have attic space with a good ceiling height, don't hesitate to exploit the potential of all the space available to you by installing a mezzanine. This could be used as a sleeping area or video games area in a teenager's bedroom, as an office area or why not as a bathroom in an adult's bedroom or as a playroom in a child's bedroom.
4. Separate spaces with room dividers or glass
If your attic contains enough square metres, don't hesitate to create several distinct spaces for your bedroom. To keep the impression of large volumes and a maximum of light, rather than partitioning, opt for screen walls or glass. Whatever type of decoration you opt for, you are sure to find models with materials that will fit in perfectly with your interior. For example, if you are planning to create a master suite in the attic, you can easily separate the bedroom area from a shower room or a living room. In a teenager's bedroom, the sleeping area could be separated from the office area and in a child's bedroom, you could delimit the play or reading area.
Master suite
5. Provide built-in storage
Attic rooms generally do not allow the installation of conventional storage furniture. Wardrobes, for example, are very often too high to be installed under the slopes of the attic. To make the room a practical space and to take advantage of sufficient space to store all your belongings, do not hesitate to exploit every nook and cranny of lost space in the room to turn them into real assets. Shelves in the corners of the loft, custom-made wardrobes built into a wall, or storage or dressing room units specially designed to fit out the attic, there are many clever solutions that will allow you to make the most of this atypical space and optimise space.
Integrated storage
6. Opt for adapted furniture
If your attic has a low ceiling height, an accentuated slope or a space that is too narrow, it is preferable to opt for furniture adapted to the space so as not to create a feeling of saturation or heaviness. Choose low units such as benches or poufs rather than chairs, a sideboard or chest of drawers rather than a wardrobe, etc. For a touch of originality, you can also opt for hanging furniture. For your bed, you can install it under the banisters or a window, on the gable wall or directly opt for a bed on the floor with cushions of different shapes and colours to create a cosy atmosphere. The main thing is to avoid cluttering the room with furniture that is too imposing or too dark in colour. In fact, don't hesitate to take inspiration from the Scandinavian style to create a clean and bright space.
7. Combine sleeping and bookshelves
As we have already mentioned in this article, attics do not necessarily allow the installation of imposing furniture such as a library. To optimise the space, you need to use clever solutions. If you prefer to install your bed on the gable wall, why not combine your sleeping area with your passion for reading? You can install shelves above your bed or directly integrate a custom-made bookcase as a headboard. This frees up floor space while elegantly dressing up a wall section.
8. Play with lights for a warm atmosphere
If natural light is to be favoured in an attic bedroom, when it comes to be lacking in the evening or during dark days, it is advisable to carefully choose the lamps and lights that will bring a cosy and pleasant atmosphere. Do not hesitate to place different types of lighting in several corners of the room with, for example, bedside lamps with soft diffusion, a string of lights on the beams, etc.
Suitable lighting
Cosy garland
In conclusion, the attic can now be used to create an extra room in the house. Creating a bedroom in the attic is a great opportunity to enjoy a warm, cosy atmosphere in this unusual area of the house. By following a few tips and ideas for layout, it is perfectly possible to make use of all the space, including the lost corners, to make a practical and comfortable room.
