Thinking Up the Attic Space

A big surprise in my inbox this month! I was asked to collaborate with https://www.redfin.com on a home design article about making over an attic space. Given my many hours thinking up the she-shed space, I could see the connections.

There are so many considerations when rethinking an attic space. Here are some that came to mind when I was thinking of my advice for the article.

Start with its purpose. As a single room layout, you’ll want to decide how it’s going to be used. Just like my she-shed design, I started with what I had planned for the inside. How did I want to spend my time in the space? For example, when you know there will be guests staying in the attic, some type of sleeping area is important. But if that’s a minimal usage, then you don’t want to fill the room with a Queen-sized bed. Instead, think hideaway bed, or trundle day bed to work as a sitting area, too.
When you don’t need to accommodate guests, there are so many other functions that require different thinking. A study space requires a desk, a play area requires toy storage, an entertainment room needs equipment. By thinking of how you’re planning to utilize the space, you can fill in the gaps on how the space needs to be designed.
It’s also helpful to think about WHO will be using the space. A kids’ room might require decorating at a lower level for little eyes or paying more attention to what’s on the floor – something easy to clean or something soft for little feet. As a guest room for older parents, ensuring there is wide space for walking might be key.
The space itself also contributes to design. Angled ceilings might require unique storage with less wall space. A lack of windows might need you to have more lighting than normal. If temperature fluctuates, you may want ceiling fans or heated flooring. By thinking of what you want to put in the space and looking at how the space is shaped, you’ll be able to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Don’t forget to use what may already be sitting in the attic, too. A vintage piece of furniture – redesigned – fits perfectly in the new attic space. It’ll make it that much cozier, inviting, and feel like home.

Wherever you end up with design choices, it will be worth thinking about these things ahead of time. Then, the redesigned attic space will offer so much value to your home.

Check out my piece of advice in the full article. Such an honor to be asked to contribute! You’ll get more great pieces of advice from many different designers and creatives. It may inspire something for your next makeover!

Don’t miss the Redfin article Charm & Grit was featured in: “Create a Great Escape: Attic Design Ideas for the Ultimate Cozy Nook”

If you own a home with an attic or your rental home comes with a bonus attic space, there’s a chance the room has gone unused. Maybe the space is completely empty, or it’s the current home for your boxes of seasonal decorations, sporting gear, or home improvement tools. Whether you’re living in Seattle, WA, or just moved to Chicago, IL, there are plenty of ways you can spruce up your attic space to create a great escape.

To give you a little inspiration, Redfin reached out to us and other design experts for our best attic design tips. Read on to find out how you can design your perfect attic getaway.

Create a Great Escape: Attic Design Ideas for the Ultimate Cozy Nook

Design your space for you,
Kellee