The attic might have once been considered an afterthought, a glorified storage cupboard with ‘dark rafters festooned with cobwebs’, to borrow from novelist George Eliot. However, the modern imperative to take advantage of as much square footage as possible has elevated it from a dusty repository where treasures patiently await rediscovery into a space brimming with potential. Indeed, at House & Garden, we have showcased many inspiring attic renovations from cosy bedrooms to inspiring workspaces. Renovating the attic space can be quite an undertaking so we have asked some of our favourite interior designers and architects to share their ‘dos and don’ts’ for tackling an attic renovation.
Do let purpose guide your design
For House & Garden 2025 Rising Star Marsha Abegg, function is king and it's important to take the time figuring out the purpose of the attic room before getting stuck into renovation. ‘Is it a peaceful office? A playroom? A snug guest bedroom?,’ she asks. ‘Let the purpose lead the way - it’ll naturally shape decisions around storage, lighting, and atmosphere.’
Do be mindful of noise – in both directions
Roof spaces are often the least insulated in a house. Back in March, our columnist Sophie Dahl wrote on the benefits of a room of one’s own, made all the more sanctuary-like with a soundproof door. There are less romantic, but no less important, reasons to soundproof an attic space – regulations spring to mind – but if the attic conversion is a home office, a den, or a new bedroom, mitigating upward and downward noise can only add to the sense of comfort. For interior designer Laura Stephens, who is a fan of keeping original floorboards, ‘a large rug with generous underlay’ is enough to show consideration for those below.
Do aim for structural and visual continuity
Consistency in design and decoration is what transforms disparate angles, eaves, balustrades and staircases into a space that feels cohesive and intentional. ‘A well-designed attic feels like it was always meant to be part of the house,’ says Jon Moxon of Chris Dyson Architects, one of our Top 100 Interior Designers and Architects. ‘So one of the best ways to achieve this is to treat the stair to the loft as a natural continuation of the existing staircase – even if it’s an extension.’
If the original staircase is a period piece with certain intricate detailing, Jon suggests replicating the details on the attic stairs and balustrades too. ‘Make it feel seamless. That way, it doesn’t feel like an awkward add-on, but rather as though the house always had this extra layer.’
Lauren echoes this emphasis on a sense of visual unity. ‘I always encourage an 'all-over' decorating approach,’ she says. ’Using paint or wallpaper across all the angles of walls and ceilings helps create a cohesive and enveloping look in what can otherwise feel like a disjointed space.’ Whichever you choose – paint or wallpaper – Lauren suggests avoiding bright white ceilings. ‘The contrast will only draw attention to the ceiling in a distracting way. Instead, blend tones or use a complementary shade to unify the space.’
Marsha is also a fan of the holistic approach. ‘In a guest bedroom, for example, using the same fabric or pattern across wallpaper, drapery, and bedding can create a cocooning and charming look,’ she says. ‘This can apply to paint too – go all-in with either a bright tone or a dark, moody one, depending on the use.’
Do carefully consider the wallpaper
Wallpaper can be a powerful tool to add personality and warmth to an attic, but choosing the right pattern and scale requires thoughtful consideration. ‘Make sure you don’t choose a pattern that is too large in scale, as it won’t work with the nooks and crannies,’ says interior designer Henriette von Stockhausen, founder of VSP Interiors. ‘If you are doing an up and over (so going on the ceiling too) avoid directional patterns as you don’t want things suddenly upside down.’
Interior designer Octavia Dickinson offers similar guidance on achieving a seamless look with patterned wallpaper amidst the attic’s tricky angles. ‘Consider the slopes of the walls if you want to wallpaper and speak to the installer beforehand,’ she says. ‘With lots of slopes and curves, the wallpaper needs lots of cuts which can look messy depending on it's pattern.’
Melissa Hutley, co-founder of Hutley & Humm, sings the virtues of textured and subtly patterned wallpapers for their ability to ‘add a layer of cosiness that’s perfect for these tucked away spaces.’ Octavia also believes that smaller prints may work better, but advocates for the use of larger prints, particularly in attic bedrooms, ‘they can make the room feel bigger than it is,’ she says.
Do maximise lighting: both natural and artificial
In order for a renovated attic to be liveable, there must be ample light. For Marsha, maximising the natural light is the way to go, if possible. ‘Architectural elements like a Velux roof window can flood the space with daylight and dramatically shift the mood,’ she says. ‘It’s one of the most effective ways to make an attic feel bright and breathable.’
Jon is also an advocate for getting in as much natural light as possible. ‘Position windows to create a real sense of arrival and be inventive with how the light enters,’ he advises. Like Marsha, he also notes how different types of windows can affect the mood of the room. ‘Deep window reveals inside can soften glare and make light feel gentler and more ambient. Outside, dormers with deeper reveals add character and shade.’
Not all attics are optimally placed, however, to take full advantage of the sunlight. When it comes to lighting fixtures and fittings, the attic, just as any other room in the house, can benefit from the time-honoured, interior-designer-recommended technique of layering. For low-ceilinged attics, Laura recommends balancing unavoidable spotlights with lighting at different levels. ‘Wall lights over desks or beds free up valuable surface space,’ she says, ‘while table lamps with pretty fabric shades will add a warm, soft glow that’s so important in creating atmosphere.’
If the attic is a particularly small space, and there isn’t much room for lamps, taking a creative approach to placement can help ensure the room is still well lit. ‘I made sure I had a low trunk in my son’s room under the sloping ceiling, so I could place a low lamp,’ says Octavia. Similarly, Melissa speaks the virtues of low-level lighting, suggesting well-placed wall lights to ‘create an inviting, intimate feel.’
Do consider proportions
Seeing the potential of an existing attic, or a new extension is indeed exciting, but we should still be aware of the limits of the space as well. Jon warns ‘don’t squeeze in more rooms than you need as one well-proportioned room will almost always feel better than three tiny ones.’
This applies to the architectural elements of the attic too, particularly in the case of extensions. ‘Think about the roof as part of the bigger picture, internally and externally. A beautifully designed dormer can add richness to a street and make your home stand out,’ says Jon. ‘But too big or bold and it can overwhelm your house (and potentially upset the neighbours). The key is balance: your attic addition should complement the character of your home and enhance the streetscape, not dominate it.’
Don't forget to accommodate head height
Whether the attic space is being transformed into a bedroom, bathroom, snug or office, head height is going to be a consideration. If you’re considering a bathroom, Melissa advises paying close attention to elevation drawings. ‘Head height is particularly crucial when planning showers and WCs, you’ll need to know exactly how much usable vertical space you have, she says. ‘Sketching the space in elevation can help enormously when planning circulation and flow.’
The same applies to an attic bedroom renovation: ‘an attic can make a truly special bedroom as it often feels tucked away and cocooning, but the most important consideration is head height,’ says Melissa. ‘You want to ensure the space functions properly for the people using it, with enough height to comfortably get in and out of bed and to move easily around the room.’ Her advice: thinking about layout before the project begins: ‘Let the shape of the roofline guide where the bed, storage and circulation areas go.’
Henriette suggests structural changes to accommodate a bed. ‘Think about building out a wall behind the bed so you have enough head height for a headboard,’ she says. ‘Try not to place it against a low ceiling with empty space behind - it can feel very uncomfortable and disconcerting.’
Do invest in thoughtful joinery and furniture to turn awkward spaces into clever storage
Incorporating beautiful and practical storage is key to making the attic a space that is truly useful. For Marsha, building into those awkward corners with pull-out cabinets and other built-ins are a great way to keep the room looking neat: ‘eaves storage can be a game-changer - both functionally and visually,’ she says. Melissa agrees, noting how useful the eaves can be for creating ‘enclosed children’s beds, which feel both practical and magical.’
Octavia, who admits she spends a lot of time working out how to use every bit of space, is a fan of using jib doors in low eaves. She also loves using free-standing furniture as well as built-in pieces, and suggests having both. ‘Drawers, pull-out shelves, drop down desks, drop down ship’s mirrors, there are so many clever ways of fitting much needed practicalities into a room,’ she says. ‘Use valances to hide utilised space under the bed, build bookcases or little cupboards into small nooks and crannies.’
Do think carefully about how to dress your windows
The right window treatment in an attic can make all the difference, balancing light, privacy, and style in a space where angles and proportions may be a little unconventional. For Marsha, it’s important not to be put off by the sloped ceilings when you can embrace them instead. ‘Swing-arm curtains work beautifully on windows with long recesses,’ she suggests. ‘Or try slanted wall mounts with beautiful draping to turn awkward angles into considered features.’
Octavia recognises that attic windows, especially Velux windows which are a go-to for many, and windows leading to a Juliet balcony, can be a little difficult to dress in a way that is both tasteful and practical. ‘I had a nightmare in my son's room as I wanted them to be as blackout as possible, while looking nice and letting the air in. I ended up with a few different layers of dressings!’ she recalls. She suggests swing-arm rods, curtains and tie-backs for dormer windows. ‘For Velux, I normally buy the Velux plain white blackout blind and then add café curtain rods at the top and bottom and hang curtains off these in front of the blind.’
Don’t be afraid to be bold
If there is anything we have learned over the years from the attics and small spaces featured in our archives, it is that small rooms can indeed handle big statements. ‘Just because it might be a smaller or tucked-away space doesn’t mean you need to hold back’, says Marsha. ‘These are the spaces to have fun!’
Laura agrees: ‘Attic bedrooms are often not the largest rooms in the house, which makes them the perfect place to be bold.’ she says. ‘These are the spaces where you can really go for it with wallpaper and strong paint choices. I like to create a cocooning effect, something that feels comforting, characterful, and a little bit magical.’
