Last updated on November 26, 2024
Attic spaces are often the most underutilized areas in a home, yet we’re increasingly seeing homeowners transform them into versatile and functional spaces. With cozy guest suites, productive home offices, and even private gym spaces, there are countless ideas for reimagining attics. Traditionally, attics have been reserved for storing seasonal decorations, family heirlooms, or forgotten odds and ends. However, with a little creativity, these spaces can become vibrant and practical extensions of the home.
This week, we’re excited to showcase two recent attic renovations by our team. Each project brought unique challenges, from navigating tight crawl spaces for utility access to adapting designs to fit varying rooflines. We love the creativity that these spaces inspire, and we’re thrilled to share the design solutions we implemented to bring these attic transformations to life.
A Dormer Addition For A Home Office
This remodel was wrapped up just before we converted our client’s screened-in porch into a three-season room. To see more about this project, visit our blog post here! Just above the porch was a small attic space, which our clients envisioned as having untapped potential. They dreamed of a home office overlooking their beautifully landscaped backyard. Designer Nina Schmidt brought this vision to life with a dormer addition that expanded the square footage and allowed for a spacious, light-filled office. With this clever design, the new space now serves not only as a functional workspace but also as a cozy guest room whenever needed.
The Attic Space Before
The attic space was tall enough for a person to stand comfortably but limited by the sloping roof line. This layout made it primarily practical for storage rather than daily use. Two crawl spaces provided access to utilities, yet they extended into additional, potentially usable areas. Our clients dreamed of maximizing this hidden space and transforming it into something more functional and enjoyable.
The new, larger dormer would be located next to an existing one and would give the exterior of the home even more character.
Creating the Dormer Office
To start, we removed an existing section of the roof. This would allow for the dormer and headroom for the new office space.
With the new wall and roof framing in place, the area already felt completely transformed! The dimensions and style mirrored those of the existing dormer located in the background, preserving a cohesive look, but the new space was designed to be three times larger, creating a much more expansive and versatile addition.
Here, the drywall and all new electrical work are completed. We transformed one of the crawl spaces into a compact closet, adding a practical storage option. The other crawl space remained as it was, providing continued access to utilities.
This new attic space certainly won’t lack natural light with this new expansive window overlooking the backyard! We finished the exterior of the dormer with the same cedar shakes as the rest of the home.
A Finished Home Office
This new home office makes it hard to believe it used to be a small section of an unfinished attic. The new dormer provides plenty of vertical space, and the large window makes the space inviting and bright. We installed hardwood floors and a wall-mounted mini split unit. For a truly multi-purpose space, we installed a Murphy bed for when our clients have guests.
The exterior of the home now has a more dynamic appearance. The new dormer seamlessly integrates into the existing roofline. It enhances the house’s architectural style, looking as if it was always meant to be part of the original design.
An Attic Guest Suite Transformed
Thanks to their secluded nature, attic spaces make ideal guest accommodations, offering privacy while transforming underused square footage into a functional part of the home. This project, designed by Donna Kirsopp and Kenny Choikhit, showcases how an existing attic can be beautifully reimagined to maximize both style and practicality. The original upstairs bedroom felt cramped. The walls were entirely clad in oak beadboard that overwhelmed the room, creating a dark and uninviting atmosphere. By rethinking the layout and materials, we were able to turn this space into a completely updated and welcoming retreat that aligns perfectly with our client’s vision.
The true potential of this space lay in the unfinished areas flanking the main room. One side had a closet with a large, underutilized window, while two adjacent crawl spaces were too small to serve as practical storage. Recognizing the wasted opportunity, our clients requested a more imaginative solution to make the most of this unique layout and maximize functional storage.
On the opposite side was a powder bath that was long overdue for an upgrade. The home only had one full bathroom, and with its outdated fixtures and finishes, it wasn’t ideal.
Providing a New Look to The Attic Guest Suite
Once the framing is exposed, you get the sense of how much space was being wasted and how some clever design solutions could make better use of the square footage.
One of the trickiest aspects of redesigning an attic space is making the most of the area beneath the angled roofline. In this guest suite, we introduced a row of lower cabinets, adding ample storage without disrupting the room’s flow. We installed new recessed can lights into the sloped ceiling to enhance lighting. We designed a closet space on the opposite wall with rolling drawers for additional storage. By integrating the angled ceiling into the closet layout, we achieved a design that visually elevates the room, making this section of the suite feel more open and spacious.
From Dark and Dated to Bright and Spacious
The updates we made to this attic guest suite completely transformed its functionality and atmosphere! We replaced the outdated beadboard with drywall and gave the room a fresh, bright paint job that beautifully reflects light. One of our favorite transformations is the old closet area reimagined as a bay window that floods the space with natural light.
We expanded the layout by opening up the unfinished attic crawl spaces, allowing access to the staircase from two sides, and incorporating ample storage with new cabinetry. The staircase itself received a modern upgrade with new handrails and cable railing. We installed all updated lighting that brings a contemporary touch. All new can lights illuminate critical areas, including an angled ceiling setup with swivel lights to focus on the storage below. A rattan chandelier and twin bedside sconces add warmth and character. Floating side tables maintain an open, uncluttered feel around the bed. Since it’s still an attic, we kept two access panels but seamlessly integrated them into the design, making them practically invisible.
We redesigned the bathroom to include a full shower, enhancing the suite’s amenities. We also installed a new furniture-style vanity with a quartz countertop and a modern toilet. The entire space is accented by brass and matte black fixtures for a sleek, updated look.
Our clients are thrilled with their newly transformed attic spaces. They now feel purposeful and inviting rather than like wasted space.
These two projects demonstrate that with a bit of creativity, even the most unconventional or cramped areas can be reimagined into functional and beautiful spaces. Are you thinking about updating your attic into a practical, stunning space? Contact our design team, and let’s bring your vision to life!
