Attic spaces can do so much more than store holiday decorations and sports equipment. They often have low, sloped ceilings that are tailor made for cosy, private environments. Click through for a look at how clever designers and homeowners made use of their attic’s full potential, from guest bedrooms to home offices.
Designer Mazen El-Abdallah turned a 160-square-foot attic into a hardworking but welcoming double-duty space. Clunky built-in bookcases were removed and replaced by open recessed shelving and a sleek, floating walnut desk. The generous desk drawers conceal a filing cabinet, a printer and general office storage — with room left over to house overnight guests’ clothing. The wall of painted brick veneers adds texture in the room and makes an interesting backdrop to the owners’ art collection.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home September 2012
Designer: Mazen El-Abdallah
Striped charcoal grey fabric on the queen-size daybed feels handsome and tailored, making this home office work even harder. An assortment of throw pillows amps up the comfort and lounge-like feel of the piece. The extended desk is an ideal place to set up trays with water glasses, a stack of fresh towels and other welcome provisions for overnight guests.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home September 2012
Designer: Mazen El-Abdallah
In this Chester, N.S. home, designer Deb Nelson revitalized two bed frames, hand-me-downs from her great aunt, with a coat of white paint and cheap and cheerful bed linens for an affordable attic guest room. The once-neglected wood chest under the window gets new life as a bedside table and storage unit. The fresh white-painted floor is a counterpart to the wood walls and ceiling, and gives a treehouse-like experience for those sleeping under the eaves.
Photographer: Janet Kimber
Source: House & Home July 2010
Designer: Deb Nelson
A petite window is turned into a major moment with a cosy window seat and built-in bookshelf in this top-floor room. If the windows are small, amp up the natural light with a light reflecting glossy white painted floor and white walls.
Photographer: Kim Jeffery
Source: House & Home September 2016
Designer: Morgan Michener
In this 1920s Toronto home, an unused third-floor attic was transformed into a principal bedroom and ensuite. The 615-square-foot space is split evenly between the sleeping quarters and bathroom, where the original sloped ceilings create a focal point above the freestanding clawfoot tub.
Photographer: Ryan Fung
Source: Men At Work
Designer: Mansi Kohli
A ceiling rain shower head is the perfect choice for the sloped space. “With space at a premium, transforming the attic into a principal retreat while maintaining the original character of the home gave us the best of both worlds,” says Christine.
Photographer: Ryan Fung
Source: Men At Work
Designer: Mansi Kohli
Located in Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes, this loft bedroom is decorated to feel like a festive regatta for visiting godchildren. The loft is accessed by a set of attic stairs from the front hall and boasts four ship-style built-in beds with thematic nautical flags hand-painted on the wooden floor. These built-in beds are smart space savers and mimic a ship’s cabin, complete with personalized life buoys.
Photographer: Ted Yarwood
Source: House & Home July 2010
Designer: Stuart Gordon
In designer Carrie McCarthy’s small family cottage on B.C.’s Pender Island, a low bed achieves a minimalist look and gives the sleeping loft a youthful energy. Instead of a dresser, a rack provides easy access to clothing and the window overlooks the living space below for an airy vibe.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July 2014
Designer: Carrie McCarthy
Tucked into the peak of the bedroom ceiling, an unfussy table made from leftover MDF is a simple workspace with a sweeping view. A smaller table subs in for a filing cabinet and is in keeping with the sparse, unfussy vibe, perfect for an easygoing West Coast cottage.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home July 2014
Designer: Carrie McCarthy
The attic in this mid-century home on Montreal’s South Shore is transformed into not only an airy bedroom for the homeowner’s young son, but a space for studying. Skylights make the most of natural light.
Photographer: André Rider
Source: Maison & Demeure June 2012
The addition of Velux skylights make this attic bedroom a light-filled spot to wake up in. The unfinished wood beams add warmth and interest to a white envelope. A shallow shelf behind the headboard becomes a display opportunity, with a plant-filled niche that is flooded with natural light to keep the leaves healthy.
Photographer: Jason Stickley
Designer: Styling by Reiko Caron
Youssef Hasbani uses every inch of his charming cottage, turning a petite attic into a handy spot to stash board games (accessed by a fun ladder). He conceals the rest of the space casually with a swath of fabric.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home April 2014
Designer: Youssef Hasbani