Decorating & Design
12 Bright Ideas for Awkward Attic Spaces
Updated on November 28, 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.