DESIGNING YOUR LOFT ROOM

Loft conversions are an obvious choice if you are short of space, but adding extra bedrooms can upset the living-to-bedroom ratio and actually make a house feel smaller. As architects, we look at how any addition affects the house as a whole. We urge clients to take a step back, and ask, “What’s your vision for your home, your family, the way you live?” This helps to find an imaginative way forward, rather than the house just wearing a hat.

Each storey needs an entrance and circulation space. A loft may look big from the top of a ladder, but add stairs and a landing and the net space soon shrinks. Joists may be designed only to support the ceiling below, so a lot of work and expense can go to upgrading the structure. Insulation is usually needed, and doors and staircases must comply with building regulations.

Alternating-tread stairs are useful if space is tight, but are not always easy to negotiate. A good option is a feature staircase, perhaps with wardrobes or a library wall below. Spending a little more on well-designed stairs makes the spaces they link feel more impressive.

Another idea is to create a gallery space, a striking double-height room that goes right up into the rafters. This is a great opportunity to do something architecturally interesting that will boost light, but it needs careful planning to meet building regulations.

Dormers are the established solution for loft conversions – these simple add-on boxes are easy and affordable. But if there is an opportunity to change the roof structure more extensively, you can overcome many limitations.

For windows and skylights, sloping walls offer unique opportunities. We fitted a skylight over a shower enclosure, giving a great view of the sky. The space was not overlooked, so there was no need for frosted glass.