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UK Attic Converted Into a Bedroom & Bathroom With Storage & Style
This attic space was converted into a smart bedroom suite that can be restyled repeatedly as the young occupant grows
The family who own this house had been looking for a bigger property for quite some time when they decided instead to extend the house they loved. One of their solutions was to convert the attic into a bathroom and bedroom for their teenage son, so when they saw projects they liked by designer Kate Whitfield of An Artful Life on Houzz, they got in touch. Whitfield’s suggestions led to a converted attic that can be adapted as the young man grows and used as a guest room when necessary, too.
There’s plenty of storage in the room, including a run of wardrobes opposite the bed (not pictured) and drawers in the bed base, but the star of the show is this open shelving unit that wraps around the bed.
“All the shelving, as well as the panelled bedhead, was bespoke,” says Whitfield. “There are secret drawers at the bottom, so any messy toys can go there.”
The shelves are made of oak-veneer MDF, with the forward-facing ends and the panelling behind the bed painted in a warm off-white.
“All the shelving, as well as the panelled bedhead, was bespoke,” says Whitfield. “There are secret drawers at the bottom, so any messy toys can go there.”
The shelves are made of oak-veneer MDF, with the forward-facing ends and the panelling behind the bed painted in a warm off-white.
The desk is also an oak-veneer MDF. “It’s quite a long desk, so good for studying,” says Whitfield. “It made sense to put this into the eaves, where the headspace is lower.” This also took advantage of the skylights above. “It’s a really nice, light space,” she says.
The flooring is pale grey oak boards.
Renovating your home? Find an architect near you to make the most of every space
The flooring is pale grey oak boards.
Renovating your home? Find an architect near you to make the most of every space
There are downlights in the ceiling, and Whitfield added some to the sides of the skylights, so the desk is always nicely illuminated, whatever time of day it is.
“Because the ceiling is quite low up here, the general illumination is spotlights in the ceiling, but layered with the wall lights and a desk lamp,” says Whitfield.
The wall sconces are on a dimmer for night-time reading.
“Because the ceiling is quite low up here, the general illumination is spotlights in the ceiling, but layered with the wall lights and a desk lamp,” says Whitfield.
The wall sconces are on a dimmer for night-time reading.
The bed is a standard double, so a new one could be slotted in if this one wears out.
The room can also function as a space for guests. “I think the idea was that [the son] would move back downstairs with his brother overnight if they had guests,” says Whitfield.
The room can also function as a space for guests. “I think the idea was that [the son] would move back downstairs with his brother overnight if they had guests,” says Whitfield.
Her original design shows the two skylights and the window on the opposite side, creating a lovely light space.
The plan of the room shows the wardrobes opposite the bed, running along the staircase wall and tucking into the alcove. The bathroom is just seen to the left of the stairs.
The bathroom is next to the bedroom, but each space has a separate door, so any member of the family can come up here and use this room. Looking through this door, the stairs are to the right and the bedroom is on the left, with the cubbyhole shelving to the far left.
The frameless glass shower screen keeps the room feeling open.
The frameless glass shower screen keeps the room feeling open.
The concrete-effect tiles and black tapware in the shower are perfect for the teenager.
Browse more marvellous bathrooms to inspire you
Browse more marvellous bathrooms to inspire you
Whitfield warmed up the grey scheme with a mid-century-style chest of drawers, which she converted into a vanity unit.
“I had a bespoke top and basin made from Carrara marble,” she says. The builders had to cut into the unit, but five of the six drawers are still usable.
Whitfield chose geometric tiles as a decorative splashback. The silver fitting on the right is a shaving point.
A pendant light hangs over the right-hand side. “It brings in a bit of lower lighting and adds a nice feature in the corner of the room,” says Whitfield.
“I had a bespoke top and basin made from Carrara marble,” she says. The builders had to cut into the unit, but five of the six drawers are still usable.
Whitfield chose geometric tiles as a decorative splashback. The silver fitting on the right is a shaving point.
A pendant light hangs over the right-hand side. “It brings in a bit of lower lighting and adds a nice feature in the corner of the room,” says Whitfield.
The mirror contains additional storage, and the chunky black rim chimes with the tapware.
A door in the far wall leads to storage in the eaves at the back of the house.
The family are extremely happy with how the project turned out, not least the young occupant, who finally gets a room of his own.
Your turn
What do you like about this attic conversion? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more inspiration on attic conversions? Check out this Picture Perfect: 19 Contemporary Attic Conversions to Covet
A door in the far wall leads to storage in the eaves at the back of the house.
The family are extremely happy with how the project turned out, not least the young occupant, who finally gets a room of his own.
Your turn
What do you like about this attic conversion? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more inspiration on attic conversions? Check out this Picture Perfect: 19 Contemporary Attic Conversions to Covet
Who lives here: A family with two boys aged 13 and 10
Location: Essex, UK
Property: An Edwardian terrace house
Room dimensions: The bedroom is around 4.6 x 4.7 metres; the bathroom is 2.8 x 2.3 metres
Designer: Kate Whitfield of An Artful Life
The bedroom was designed for the couple’s oldest son, aged 13, who was previously sharing a room with his brother. “Although he’s still quite young, they wanted it to be somewhere he could grow into, so there’s nothing childish in here,” says Whitfield.
“I created the cubbyholes as somewhere he can put his things and, depending on what he puts in there as he grows up, he can make it to his taste,” she says. “It’s quite neutral, so he can live in the space as he wants to.”