Have you ever considered the potential of your attic room? Most homeowners tend to overlook their attic’s usable space, or merely use it as a storage space for forgotten clutter. While that works just fine for some, there are still many possible (and better) ways to make use of your attic’s extra room depending on your needs and preferences. Starting an attic remodel project and transforming the space into a functional living space can be the final touch that your home has been missing.
We’re passionate about residential remodeling projects at Innovative Kitchen and Flooring Supply, so we’re excited to share ten creative attic renovation ideas you might like:
1. Home Office
Some people who work from home have their office in their bedroom. However, it’s important to have a separate space for work-related activities to improve productivity and focus. One of the options you can consider is to remodel your attic into your very own home office. Complete the space with desks, ergonomic chairs, and lighting that will help you stay on top of your game.
2. Extra Storage Space or a Bonus Room
Renovate your attic for extra space or as a bonus room. You can add a storage unit into the knee walls, create a walk-in closet for your clothes and shoes, or organize the space for your hobby equipment. Most people already use their attic as storage, but it’s important to keep them organized and make the most out of the space. You can do this by installing custom built-in shelves and storage slots that fit perfectly into every nook and cranny of your attic.
Ultimately, this is great for homeowners who have a lot of things at home. Use your attic as a way to organize and protect belongings that you don’t always use, ensuring that other parts of your home have less visible clutter.
3. Guest Bedroom or Extra Bedroom
If you’re the type to have a lot of friends and family over for various occasions, launching an attic remodel project to transform it into a guest bedroom might be the best option for you. Add a bed (or multiple) and a bedside table to the room. Complete the look with some cozy and welcoming room decorations. This space will give your guests a private space and improve their overall experience at your home.
4. Reading Nook
Perhaps you’re a bookworm who’s running out of space for your endless stacks of books, or a person who needs peace and quiet to be able to read your favorite books in a rowdy house. In either case, consider an attic remodeling to transform your attic into a cozy reading nook. This space can have features like built-in bookshelves, comfortable seating, desks, lamps, and so on. Now, you have a spot dedicated to your love for reading!
5. Art Studio
Artists know how essential it is to have a creative sanctuary to craft their best works. You can turn your attic into a personal art studio with extensive storage for art supplies, large desks, spacious work surfaces, natural light, and adequate space for various art appliances like easels and drawing boards.
6. Music Room
Consider an attic remodel project to transform the space into a music room. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting out, this renovated attic would be a great addition to your home. When designing your music room, you can customize its setup based on your musical preferences and needs. You can add storage space for your instruments, equipment racks, and cable management for an organized room.
7. Kid’s Playroom
Overzealous children can be a handful, especially when you think about the mess they tend to make in your living room or bedroom during playtime. An attic remodel project will allow you to have a dedicated space for a children’s playroom. Create a safe, fun, and comfortable environment by adding soft flooring, storage for kids’ toys, nap areas, as well as educational posters or decor.
8. Home Theater
Have a theater right in the comfort of your home by remodeling your attic into a home theater. Install appropriate flooring, seating, and lighting for a comfortable viewing experience. You should also invest in audiovisual equipment including a large screen, projector, speakers, and a media console. Consider adding a snack area or mini fridge so it’s easy to get food and drinks while watching. Afterward, feel free to add decorations like posters of your favorite movies or series.
9. Home Gym or Personal Fitness Studio
Prioritize your health and fitness by repurposing your attic’s extra space into a home gym or personal fitness studio. Install durable flooring that can support heavy exercise equipment, and then add your preferred fitness gear such as weights, cardio machines, and yoga mats. Customize lighting and allow natural light to fill the space for a more energizing and motivating atmosphere. You can also add a mini fridge for water and drinks.
10. Craft Room
One of the attic remodel ideas you can consider is transforming your attic into a craft room. Install storage solutions like shelves, bins, and cabinets to store and organize your craft supplies and materials. Set up workstations with desks and chairs that you can use while doing various crafting activities such as sewing or scrapbooking. Afterward, it’s up to you to add whatever decorations and pictures you think will complement the space.
Advantages of Repurposing Your Attic Space
Attic renovation is a tall task. It requires a lot of thought, time, commitment, and money. So, you’re probably wondering: Is an attic renovation worth it? To us and thousands of homeowners, the answer is—absolutely! Your attic space has a lot of untapped potential, and it would be a shame to let it go to waste. After all, your future favorite room might just be one renovation away.
Here are some of the benefits you’d be missing out on when you don’t invest in attic remodels:
Maximizing Your Floor Space
Most attics aren’t being properly utilized, leading to wasted potential in terms of floor space and functionality. With the right attic conversion, you can gain more usable space and take advantage of every square foot of your home without costly extensions. Other than that, repurposing your attic into a special space that meets your needs not only maximizes floor space and gives you more room to do things you love, but also increases the fun features of your home.
Increased Home Value
When you increase the usable square footage of your home, you’re also increasing its market worth and desirability to potential buyers. More available square feet improve the versatility of your property, which a lot of buyers would appreciate. Overall, investing in attic remodels not only benefits you as a current owner but can also be a smart financial decision that will pay off if you sell your home in the future.
Opportunities to Personalize Your Space
Nothing beats a living space that represents your interests, tastes, and personality. With an attic conversion, you’ll have more space to decorate and customize your home in whatever manner you’d like. Unlike other living spaces in the house that have a specific function and limit your creativity in decorating, an attic remodel gives you a blank canvas to work on. Exciting, right?
Key Factors to Consider When Remodeling Your Attic
Let’s say you’ve chosen which kind of livable room to transform your attic into. The next step is to keep these factors in mind for a successful attic renovation:
Budget and Timeline
Creating a new living space in your home requires thoughtful budgeting and planning. It’s important to establish a practical budget from the start to ensure that you can cover the costs of materials and labor, as well as any unexpected or additional expenses during the renovation. We recommend getting quotes from multiple contractors and suppliers to help you estimate the costs.
It’s also essential to plan a detailed timeline of the attic conversion and stick to it. It will help you stay organized and on track with your remodeling goals. To create a realistic timeline, consider the complexity of the project and the availability of your chosen contractor. This way, you’ll have a finished attic in no time!
Structural Integrity of Your Attic
Evaluate whether your attic’s structure can take a renovation project. Take some time to assess the health of the attic floor, attic ceiling, support beams, and roof to ensure they’re strong enough to support the attic remodeling. Pay attention to the attic’s floor joists and make sure they’re sturdy and properly spaced to handle the weight and live loads associated with the renovation.
If you’d prefer to have a professional inspect your attic, you may consult a structural engineer or building inspector. It’s important to spot any issues or damages that need to be addressed before the renovation starts as this prevents complications and safety hazards during and after the renovation.
Local Building Codes and Permits
Depending on where you live, you may have to consider local building codes and permits in your planning process. You may also have to obtain the appropriate permits for your construction project, so be sure to keep it in mind to avoid any fines or penalties.
Building codes refer to regulations that one must follow to ensure the safety and long-term integrity of construction projects. These codes can encompass aspects like insulation, ventilation, minimum square footage, and emergency egress requirements.
They might also require a minimum ceiling height, which is typically 7 feet. Additionally, codes usually require that at least half of the finished space meets the minimum dimensions of 7 feet wide and 70 square feet. Again, codes and regulations may vary depending on your location, so make sure to confirm this information before starting any work.
Electrical Wiring and Plumbing
To make your attic renovation safe and functional, you’ll also have to plan out the electrical wiring and plumbing for your new space. Whether you need to upgrade the existing plumbing and electrical wiring in your attic or install new ones, it’s essential to hire an electrician to do the job for you.
Insulation and Ventilation
You want to make your new living space as comfortable and energy-efficient as possible. This includes ensuring that it has proper insulation to regulate temperature and prevent heat loss, as well as ventilation for air circulation. In most cases, insulation may involve installing your attic’s own thermostat or using foam boards, fiberglass batts, and spray foam insulation.
Proper ventilation ensures that your attic doesn’t suffer from moisture buildup that can lead to mildew, mold growth, and structural damage over time. If your attic doesn’t have them yet, you’ll have to add vents or a ceiling fan that can keep the air moving throughout your space for better air quality and overall comfort.
Attic Walls, Flooring, and Ceiling
During an attic renovation, remember to ensure the durability and visual appeal of your attic floor, walls, and ceiling. For the flooring, you can choose between materials such as hardwood, carpet, or laminate. You can also prevent floor moisture by installing a proper vapor barrier.
Then, bring your attic walls to life by adding a fresh coat of paint, wallpapers, and creative wall art. And finally, as mentioned earlier, your ceiling height should at least be 7 feet. If you have low ceilings at odd angles, you can look into options like dormers to increase your headroom.
Lighting and Windows
Welcome natural lighting into your new space by installing a skylight in the ceiling or additional windows along your wall space. Whether you’re repurposing your attic into a master bedroom or gym, proper lighting goes a long way in making the room more inviting and comfortable.
Soundproofing
Soundproofing is especially beneficial for those who want to renovate their attic into a home office, music room, or home theater. Whether you need to keep the noise in or keep it out, soundproofing is a great way to further elevate your new space. Adding insulation or installing soundproof drywall and acoustic panels will likely be enough to soundproof your space.
Waterproofing and Fire Safety
Always prioritize your safety. Attics are prone to water damage due to rain, so make sure to seal any gaps, cracks, and openings in the roof. Apply waterproof coatings to vulnerable spots such as the roof and around the windows. You’ll also want to assess the attic floor for cracks since water might seep into it and lead to water leakage.
For fire safety, you can install smoke detectors and fire-rated drywall while utilizing fire-resistant materials for your attic renovation. This way, you’ll have peace of mind that your attic is a safe place for you and your family.
Hire the Remodeling Professionals: Innovative Kitchen and Flooring Supply
So, are you ready to take on an attic renovation project? For expert service and high-quality materials, choose the best remodeling professionals in Chambersburg, PA!
Contact us at (717) 946-8424 and request a free quote to start your journey today!