Basements, Attics and Lofts Archives

Loft Ideas and Attic Conversions

Making Use Of Vacant Roof Space With Innovative Loft Ideas And Attic Conversions

Loft conversions and attic areas are popular right now and not only add much more ‘often needed space’ to a home, but they can also often add thousands of dollars in value to your home.

Lofts are often a forgotten space in many homes, used as a storage area for old furniture, suitcases or sentimental items.

It can be difficult to picture your dusty, old loft as being anything more than it is.

However, a simple web browse of “loft conversions” will bring up so many imaginative ideas that you’ll wonder why you have neglected this space for so long.

Read on to discover the many ways you can turn this forgotten space into a functional part of your home.

Bedroom/Guestroom

Bedrooms are a popular idea for loft conversions, especially for families.

It will help to accommodate a growing number of children.

This can also be useful as siblings grow older and need separate rooms.

Ensure you take note of the ceiling slope, as this can be incorporated into the design of the bedroom.

The part of the room where the ceiling is the lowest is the ideal place to put the headboard of your bed.

This allows you to make better use of the rest of your space without having the bed dominate.

Inject some color into your home decor andmaximizee your loft by using pastel paint colors and adding in a skylight or velux window.

Mirrors are also an excellent trick to make a room look bigger. For a dramatic appeal, create a mirrored wall.

Lofts can also make a great functional guest room.

Generally, they are a smaller yet large enough to fit all the guest room essentials.

All you need is a bed, a table with storage and a few key decor pieces to create a welcoming space for your guests to enjoy.

You could also opt for a flexible sofa-bed so that the room can double as a lounge.

Bathrooms or Ensuites

Having an extra bathroom or ensuite off the main bedroom is always beneficial for families.

A loft bathroom can also be a tranquil and private escape after a long day.

Imagine creating a quaint, secluded little bathroom where you can lie in the bath and relax away from all the stresses of work or home life.

Loft bathrooms do require a lot of thought because lofts are often unconventional spaces.

Depending on your space, you may have to make certain compromises to get the most out of your loft bathroom.

Sacrificing a bath, for example, means that you could have a bigger shower.

A wet bathroom is also an option. You would have to make sure you have waterproofed the whole room and that the floor is at a slight gradient so that drainage is sufficient.

Bath and shower combos are a viable alternative because they give you the best of both worlds.

Office Or Study Areas

For those dreaming of a nice office space to organize their paperwork and work from home peacefully, look no further.

Your loft area can serve as a perfect space for this purpose, as it is tucked away and secluded from the rest of the house.

Multifunctional furniture is a must for loft rooms.

A desk that doubles as an inbuilt storage unit will maximize your space and allow you to incorporate other pieces into your room.

Keep in mind, if you are planning to use this area as a study, you will want to include as much light as possible so that you are not straining your eyes while reading or typing.

Make use of natural light and strategically place a window or skylight to keep your loft light and open.

For many, office spaces can become a chaotic, disorderly area in their home which they prefer to keep out of sight.

Loft offices are easy to conceal, so you won’t have any issues keeping this spot hidden from guests on those messy days.

Lounge and Living Spaces

A massive entertainment space might not work, but a cozy little room with a couple of beanbags, trendy rug and a TV, can be a great little getaway for kids and teenagers.

You can even include a ledge or built-in storage space to store books or toys.

Enjoy some peace and quiet after a long day by giving your children their own chillout zone to explore.

That being said, there’s nothing wrong with creating a cozy getaway for yourself!

You can enjoy some alone time or relax with your partner while watching a movie in your own private lounge area.

Renovating lofts on top floor units can also feature a spectacular view which can raise your property’s market value significantly.

The entertainment and recreation possibilities are truly endless!

Personal Gyms or Exercise Rooms

A small loft area is a perfect space to install a mini home gym.

You will be able to fit in cardio essentials such as a treadmill or exercise bike.

Add a yoga mat and some dumbbells for those floor exercises and you’re in business! Incorporating a skylight is essential to liven up the area, giving you a fresh and motivational place to do your daily workout.

Personal gyms are a great idea for people who are constantly on the go.

Everyone knows what an ordeal it can be to prepare your gym gear and get yourself to your overcrowded venue.

Not to mention the costly membership fees! Avoid all of this by bringing the gym to you.

This could also be highly useful for personal trainers and small business owners who operate in the fitness industry – doubling as a professional and convenient office.

A loft conversion is a timely commitment but well worthwhile for you and your home.

Making the most of each space in your home is important because it can open up a number of possibilities for you to expand on your designer home.

Don’t let your loft become a dusty storage area! Turn it into a valuable space that you and your family can enjoy for the years to come.

Author Bio

As Managing Director of Mazzei Homes, a leading custom home builder Melbourne wide, Daniel has a strong ambition to innovate the building experience for those looking to design quality homes.

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Finished Basement Remodeling Ideas

A great example of finished basement remodeling ideas that can be incorporated into your home basement with some imagination.

The remodeling of the above basement has provided a relaxing basement playroom with sofas and chairs adjoining a kids play room.

Great for keeping an eye on the kids as they play whilst relaxing at the same time.

Basement areas in homes can be a godsend, especially if the space is large and practically usable without having to excavate to create decent head height.

If you’re blessed with such a room in your home and you’ve yet to turn it into something practical and useable, take a look through this home basement decorating ideas gallery for some interesting and unique ideas.

If you do decide to make your basement area into a project, give some serious thought about what you need most in your home.

Do you need extra bedroom space? How about a media room, or an extra lounge or living room? Do you have noisy musical teenagers that this space would be perfect for some closed off separation? Maybe you’ve always wanted to turn the space into a workout area or gymnasium?

Whatever you decide, make it a project that adds value to your home.

If you think you need the extra room, then when it comes time to sell, prospective buyers will no doubt feel the same way.

Lower level basement area with multiple uses.

Storage boxes, music practice area, educational corner and even a kids play chest full of toys

A basic kitchen in the basement of an older style home with a large open plan floor area.

Home gymnasium in a basement room with a wall-mounted television in a private mansion residence.

Having a room dedicated to working out in a home these days is such a practical use of room space that may possibly go unused otherwise.

Basement play party room interior with snooker table, kitchenette, relaxing sofa all set in a large open plan space.

Party room in the basement of a large house showing the snooker table, tv, gaming machine and a number of stools

Luxury basement living room with a large fireplace.

Ample wall storage at the end and its large floor area provide lots of design options for those looking to add their own personal touches

Basement luxurious bar area with adjoining kitchenette and dining table and chairs

Lower level basement turned into a relaxing chillout room with large brick open fireplace, and soft luxurious corner sofa and large flat screen wall mounted TV.

Interior design of a downstairs basement showing a kitchen area adjoining a blank canvas of a living room

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Doehler Loft Apartment, Brooklyn, NY by SABO Project

Doehler Loft Apartment is a recent renovation by SABO project in which a Brooklyn, New York loft located in a former die casting factory built in 1913 was completely gutted

After a 1980’s residential conversion, all concrete columns and ceilings were concealed. The removal of most partitions and a vast 4’ dropped ceiling presented the opportunity to reveal the authenticity of the building as well as dramatically expand the space.

Under the reclaimed 12’-0” ceiling, a new 7’-8” datum is defined by the height of a series of new partitions, custom cabinets, walk-in closet, glass enclosures and a new mezzanine.

The vertical combination of opacities and transparencies manages privacy while bringing natural light to every single space. The new connections between rooms establishes a continuum that seem to expand each space beyond it’s limits.

Storage is maximized throughout the kitchen and bathroom with the use of matt white handleless panels that contrast with the materiality of the concrete.

In addition, a custom built-in collection of wood containers stretches from the kitchen to the bedrooms while integrating stairs, display shelving, lighting and a home office.

The bathroom was designed around a diamond shaped ceramic tile that determines all dimensions including the apartment’s new datum. No less than 3 colors and 9 shades are combined in bold graphic patterns and gradients that wrap seamlessly around the walls and floor seemingly flooding the space.

Project name: Doehler
Architect: SABO project
Location: Brooklyn, New York

Architect In Charge: Alex Delaunay
Area: 124 sqm (1,333 sf)
Year: 2014
Photographs: SABO project

Copyrights: SABO project
Website: http://sabo-project.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SABO.project

Photo showing the space before the renovations

Photo two showing a different viewpoint of the space before the renovations

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Manhattan Loft Apartment 425 sq ft Micro Apartment Renovation Project

Manhattan loft apartment showing overall wide perspective view of the whole micro-apartment

The above image shows an overall wide perspective view of the whole apartment from the staircase, showing full view of the kitchen and breakfast nook as well as the mezzanine bedroom that floats above the living room.

This project involved the radical transformation of a tiny, awkward apartment at the top of a six-story building in Manhattan New York. With only 425 square feet of floor area to play with, but a ceiling height of over 24 feet, the new design exploited these inherent sectional possibilities, and created a flowing interior landscape that completely dissolved the notion of distinct “rooms.”

The kitchen area boasts an abundance of cupboard space and simple cooking and wash-up facilities as well as a work bench that continues round the wall adding an area for a breakfast nook or simple dining table.

The architectural strategy by Specht Harpman Architects created four “living platforms” that accommodated everything necessary, while still allowing the apartment to feel open and bright. The spaces are interleaved, with a cantilevered bed that hovers out over the main living space, an ultra-compact bath tucked beneath the stair, and a roof garden with glazing that allows light to cascade through the space.

The modern staircase possesses plenty of under stair cabinets and storage. The previous bare red brick wall can be seen behind the stairs now painted a brilliant white providing real visual impact and contrast to the dark timber floors.

Every inch is put to use, with stairs featuring built-in storage units below, similar to Japanese kaidan dansu. The apartment is crafted like a piece of furniture, with hidden and transforming spaces for things and people.

The above cutaway 3D diagrammatic view of the Micro Loft Apartment shows the full layout of the four floor levels including the stairs to the garden roof top.

Manhattan Micro 425 sq ft Apartment Loft Project
Architects: Specht Harpman Architects
Project Category: Residential Renovation
Project Size: 425 sq. ft.
Completion Date: 2012

The 425 Sq Ft Manhattan New York Micro loft Apartment Floor Plans and Section Drawing

Who are Specht Harpman Architects?

Specht Harpman was founded in 1995 by partners Scott Specht and Louise Harpman, who began working together while classmates at the Yale School of Architecture.
An alternative view of the kitchen showing the working bench space and flow up a couple of steps into the living room.

A small company with rigorous standards for modern design, the firm’s award-winning work includes commercial, institutional and residential projects, as well as custom furniture. The firm maintains offices in New York City as well as in Austin, Texas.

An example of the floating upstairs bedroom showing the stairs to roof garden.

Specht Harpman was recognized in Wallpaper* magazine’s Architects’ Directory as one of the “top 50 up and coming architectural practices from around the world.” The firm recently received an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (Austin) for Doyle Hall at St. Edward’s University.

A beautiful cosy living room with mezzanine floating bedroom above and a visually stunning white painted brick wall.

Specht Harpman has been listed among the “Emerging Voices” by the Architectural League of New York, “Tastemakers” by House and Garden magazine, and as one of New York City’s “Top 100” architects by New York Magazine.

The entrance (now the kitchen) showing the red brick wall -Before Renovation

The firm has been honored with a number of design awards, including those from the Texas Society of Architects, New York AIA (American Institute of Architects), Austin AIA, and two Design Distinction awards from I.D. Magazine.

A picture showing the full room height – Before Renovation

Stairs and Windows – Before Renovation

The area that became the living room – Before Renovation

The entrance (kitchen) – Before renovation

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New-York Style Loft Restoration Project in Copenhagen

Loft Restoration Project in Copenhagen Living room with Engell sofa

The above image shows the living room with Dinesen Douglas timber flooring treated with lye and soap, an Engell sofa, a room divider with house plants, a feature wood storage compartment, a central fire and a homemade coffee table.

The New-York Style Loft Apartment Restoration Project

Chief designer in Vipp, Morten Bo Jensen, has settled down in a private space that reflects how he works professionally. Together with his girlfriend graphic designer Kristina May Olsen (www.mayk.dk) & 5-years old twins, Morten lives in a New-York style loft completely restored from its original state as an old Viking-Pencil factory from the 1900.

The location area, Islands Brygge, is an old industrial, harbor area in Copenhagen. Today it is 50 % modern private housing and 50 % industry. An inspiring environment surrounded by traditional manufacturing workshops; steel workshop, Copenhagen Furniture carpentry, and old bike workshop, galleries. Morten is also a neighbour to the Vipp Headquarters. Neighbor to the grand Copenhagen canal, where BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) have made a public bathing establishment, where you can swim in the canal.

The living room with the Engell sofa, Marc Newson Low Pad chair and homemade couch table viewed from the kitchen end.

The process

“The apartment was stripped to the bone; I spent a great deal of time reflecting on how I want to live. My conclusion was quite simple; function and efficiency must be the starting point, both in the architecture, the interior and in the location. I am close to work, and the city. Being located here, I can minimize transport, use the city and thereby optimize my daily life with the family” – Morten.

The Office with its cardboard and glass homemade desk, sliding doors and openness to the main living area.

The interior

“I feel fortunate to be living with furniture that I have designed myself. I have installed the Vipp kitchen island supplemented by 3 high cabinets that matches my old Vipp kitchen bin. The bathroom furniture as well as the accessories are also Vipp.

Above is the powder coated aluminum and recycled untreated teak dinner table with lamps that originated from the streets of Copenhagen where they hung for years.

When my profession is working with design DNA, I enjoy living in a space that is functionally and visually cohesive. It embodies a certain visual calm and daily efficiency.

A part of the children’s room with an homemade doll house. Wall pictures by photographer Kristine Funch.

Living in your own design is a confirmation of how you work and which choices you make professionally.

The bath within the bathroom with tiled floor, sliding door and wall shelves from Vipp.

At Vipp I work with a DNA that personally reflects my style and what works for me. Being surrounded by these values and using the products everyday is legitimizing why product design must start with function.

Dinesen Douglas timber floor and a central fire with glass that heats the home as well as illuminates the space.

That is why I don’t have three different sofa arrangements but only one. I surround myself with things that are meant to be used, which only embraces the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ (cosiness)” – Morten.

The master bedroom with mirror and laundry bin from Vipp.

The Tools

“When designing a new product, we consider it both before, during and after as a tool that will be used to produce or accomplish something – a tool that must have a long life and where the feeling of quality and product eligibility shall be loved each and every time it is used.

Bathroom Module showing the shower, vanity cabinet and mirror from Vipp.

With this approach we believe that we use our experience and expertise to maximize value for our customers. It gives me a daily pleasure to be surrounded by tools that work. It is a key source of inspiration in my work.” – Morten

The stunning kitchen from Vipp with matching cooking hood and shelves.

The Optimization of Space

The sense of living in an open space is reinforces by the big inflow of light, the sliding doors and the long Dinesen wooden planks crossing the entire main room. The room is a result of our reflections on how to optimize space most effectively.

Pencil art piece inspired by the Viking pencils that were once produced in this building space.

“This explains why we have chosen only sliding doors, a build-in space for fire wood, an integrated book case, closets and cabinets. In this way we liberate a lot of floor space which opens up the room.” – Morten

Kitchen by Vipp with 5mm stainless steel table top and integrated gas cooker hubs

Children’s room with homemade desk made of Dinesen Douglas floor planks

Eating section with kitchen and dining table.

Entranceway with shelf and mirror from Vipp

Dining area with fireplace in the left foreground and living area to the right.

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