BESPOKE FITTED FURNITURE

A room at the top has a special quality, being quiet and self-contained, often with great views. Standard furniture isn’t much help under the eaves, where there are so many angles, but fitted units can maximise the space.

Walk-in wardrobes feel wonderfully decadent and you may be surprised at how affordable they are – having no doors reduces the cost. The storage needs proper planning, with a place for everything to keep it tidy.

Painting fitted furniture in the same colour as the room helps to blend in awkward angles and planes. Neutral colours, such as light dove grey, and a matt finish are favourites for a loft room. Painting the inside of wardrobes in a darker shade gives a luxurious feel, and stylish handles add character.

Many people convert the loft into children’s rooms, but the space can also be transformed into a glamorous master suite with a bathroom and dressing rooms, a project often done once the children have left home.

Home offices have become another popular option for loft conversions. Maximise organised storage with a bank of fitted cupboards on one wall.

Children’s rooms need a lot of open shelving and big drawers for toys. It’s a good idea to use removable shelving and adjustable hanging rails so the furniture can grow with the child.

Where space is tight, it makes sense to use sliding doors. Hinged doors work in larger rooms, and 165° hinges allow them to open right out, making corner cupboards fully accessible.

A quality fitted furniture company will have its own fitting team, who will do a site survey before installation. Neatsmith’s furniture is cut in the factory and built on site; the survey helps to establish the maximum size able to fit through access points, such as a narrow bend on a staircase.