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6 Attic Transformations to Inspire Your Own
Thinking about going up? See what designers do with the often awkward spaces
This article originally appeared on Houzz.com.
There may be extra livable space in your house just over your head right now. Rather than moving out or adding on, many homeowners are going up into the attic. Attics tend to present challenges like low ceilings, odd angles and quirky nooks, but these designers treated these aspects as assets. See how they turned top floors into master suites, sitting rooms and workspaces.
1. A cozy nest in Texas. Interior designer Sarah Wittenbraker fought the corners and sharp angles of the attic in a Tudor-style cottage in Austin with a free-flowing wallpaper pattern. She used white to unite the remaining surfaces and keep the space light.
Her design transformed challenging corners with low, angled ceilings into favorite spots in the 200-square-foot room. This one is a reading nook, while another became a built-in desk nook.
2. A getaway within a Delaware getaway. At their Rehoboth Beach house, designer Matthew Caughy and his husband welcome plenty of guests. But everyone needs their own space sometimes. By converting this attic area adjacent to their master bedroom into a comfy sitting room, they have a spot to lounge, read, catch up and even write or sketch on a little desk.
Captain’s mirror: BDDW
Vertical panels on the ceiling add the illusion of height in the 231-square-foot space. The furnishings are a mix of vintage and antique pieces, art from local galleries, and furniture and accessories from spots like Williams-Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Ralph Lauren Home and BDDW.
Sofa: Restoration Hardware; wicker basket: Pottery Barn; rug: Williams-Sonoma Home
3. A sunny disposition in Oregon. Portland is gray for much of the year, so interior designer Lynne Parker wanted her attic conversion design to be bright and happy. The space includes a comfortable playroom-office and this snug separate guest room. Reading lamps and cheerful florals light up the room.
Afghan and duvet: Anthropologie; raccoon pillow: Woonwinkel; trays and lamps: West Elm
Parker’s cheery office does double duty as a lounge, complete with a sectional and plenty of storage. Ample light and sunny yellow pillows brighten the space, while wallpaper brings in a small pattern and some dark contrast to Benjamin Moore’s Super White trim paint.
Yellow pillows: Crate & Barrel; white leather pillows: Pottery Barn; bargello pillow: Jonathan Adler; floor lamp: West Elm; sofa: Scandinavian Designs; turquoise box: C Wonder
Related: Rewiring or Adding Another Bath? Ask a General Contractor Before You Do
Perhaps the most enticing part of this makeover is the wallpapered staircase. Parker covered the risers in a floral pattern that she carefully lined up from step to step.
Stair and trim paint: Super White, Benjamin Moore; wallpaper: Brewster Home Fashions
4. Space savers in a New Jersey master bedroom. Architect Darren China and interior designer Julie China helped this Maplewood couple make the most of the 300-square-foot attic bedroom by eliminating the need for a lot of free-standing furniture. A long row of built-ins serve as dressers, and a clever basaltina stone ledge behind the headboard replaces nightstands. There is plenty of room for reading lamps, clocks, books and drinks on the ledge, which also camouflages HVAC ductwork.
The project also included transforming this space at the bottom of the attic stairs. Formerly a nursery (their daughter scored her parents’ former bedroom on this floor), it now acts as a sitting room and office for the couple. The new design includes a storage hutch, a desk and a comfortable sitting chair for laptop work.
5. Room for visiting families in Massachusetts. Bringing in an outdoor feeling inspired this attic guest suite in Waban. Interior designer Kelly Rogers began with a vibrant grass-green, trellis-patterned rug.
She divided the 400-square-foot space into a bedroom and lounge, keeping toddler guests in mind throughout the design process. There is plenty of room for playpens and air mattresses in the lounge. The built-in seating can double as beds — the designer outfitted them with extra thick French-mattress-style cushions.
Throw pillows: Eastern Accents
Because of the bedroom’s quirks, she didn’t try for built-in pieces in here. Instead, she found a mix of furnishings that cozied right into the room’s nooks and crannies. The result is a playful cottage look.
Related: Add a Sleeper Sofa to Turn Your Attic into a Guest Room
6. A parent haven in a historic Oregon home. Parents sharing one bathroom with their two teenagers inspired a move up into the attic. The 100-year-old Portland home was subject to a historic review process, so working within the existing semifinished attic was a must. Architect Marty Buckenmeyer and interior designer Marketa Rogers helped them create a suite retreat that looks out through the treetops.
A large barn door serves as a focal point in the room. LED lights installed on the collar ties give the ceiling a warm glow. The operable skylights over the bed were part of the renovation. Because they are on the back of the house, they were not subject to historic review.
But perhaps the most important part of the project is beyond the barn door — the couple’s new master bathroom that they have all to themselves. Another new skylight on the back of the house brings natural light into the shower stall.
A key takeaway from this renovation is that installing plumbing in an attic floor can be challenging. Attics often aren’t built to accommodate it. Rogers raised the shower floor a few inches to create space for the floor drain.
Related: Houzz Tour: Original Charm and New Light in Seattle
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