Thanks to popular American TV series and films, many dreamed of attics even before this fashion reached our latitudes. Of course, it is impossible to arrange it in a standard apartment - this requires a special layout. But if you are building your own cottage or you got housing on the top floor of exactly this configuration, it’s time to use your imagination!
What is an attic floor?
The attic floor is a separate room under the roof, from which you can make a utility attic-storage room and a full-fledged living room. They began to appear in the seventeenth century, and are named after the architect Francois Mansart, who contributed to the emergence of a new trend.
Modern attics can be different in construction and design. For example, vertical, made from the same material as the house, or inclined, when a rafter roofing system is used as a frame. In fact, this is the room above which the main facade of the building intersects with the roof.
Sometimes the attic can even protrude beyond the boundaries of the lower floor, or, on the contrary, it can be a small element of a complex multi-level roof. The specifics of construction allow you to create any shapes and lines, so here designers can run wild.
An additional level increases the usable living space, and not the main but useful rooms can be moved upstairs: an office, a home theater, a games room, a billiard room or a workshop. With proper insulation, due to the presence of an additional air gap, heat loss throughout the building is reduced. And visually the attic floor gives the house a complete, harmonious look.
The main problem of construction is compliance with strict standards of heat, sound and waterproofing, otherwise the premises will be unsuitable for use. It must be taken into account that moisture condenses under the roof, and rain beats outside and precipitation accumulates. You will also have to spend time searching for suitable windows that will fit into the geometry and compensate for the lack of light.
Office, workshop or library
In a small private house it is always difficult to allocate a separate room for an office or workshop. In the former attic you can organize a cozy area for privacy, reading, and your favorite hobby. You don't need a lot of space, just a few square meters is enough. If there are no restrictions in meters, there will be room for impressive bookshelves, a soft sofa or a fluffy rug with many cozy pillows for relaxation, a rocking chair in a separate corner with a floor lamp.
The attic room is decorated with open shelves or closed racks for books and tools, using all the space to the maximum.
In order not to reduce the space of the attic floor, you should not cover massive wooden beams with plasterboard. This will prevent the already limited space from being narrowed, will give the interior individuality, and the atmosphere of the office with a large amount of equipment and electronics will become warmer.
Choosing an interior style
The only limitation when choosing an interior style for an attic is the specifics of its design. Small cottages look best with laconic and minimalist interiors that create a sense of space. And it is most convenient to work with directions that allow you to leave open beams, communications and complex shapes.
Modern style attic
Modern style balances between solid classics and elegant high-tech. This is what you need to design an elegant and at the same time functional attic. Natural materials are combined with artificial ones, and laconic colors are combined with complex and varied textures.
Classic style attic
The classic style is suitable only for large and spacious attics, so in a small room it is better to combine it with modern elements. Use wood, tiles, stone finishes and textured expensive textiles. This is the best way to recreate the atmosphere of a luxurious country mansion.
Attic in Provence style
When decorating an attic, Provence is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also practical, because it solves several problems at once. Light pastel colors give a feeling of light, air and space even in a small attic room. Natural wood preserves the homely atmosphere, and the beams from the rafter system effectively complement the style of the French province.
Attic in Scandinavian style
Attics are often characteristic of Scandinavian-style houses, so this interior will fit here like home. Keep all shapes and outlines, use natural materials, a light background and a few color accents. Stick to minimalistic furniture and create an atmosphere with cute handmade accessories.
Loft-style attic
Creating loft attics is very convenient, because all communications, beams and complex shapes become an interesting advantage, and not a problem. You don't have to mask the roof structure or completely sheathe the ceiling. The walls also do not have to be leveled and hidden behind plasterboard structures or panels.
Preliminary work
In order to begin cosmetic repairs in the attic, you will first have to carry out preliminary work, which involves several stages:
- cleaning - you need to get rid of trash, wash the floor and brush away cobwebs;
- assessment of the general condition - are there any cracks in the roof, are the boards in the floor sagging, are the walls collapsing, are the beams holding well in place;
- bringing the general condition in order - cracks need to be patched (and, possibly, the roof needs to be re-roofed), boards in the floor in problem areas should be replaced, walls should be cleaned and possibly re-coated, beams should be replaced.
Beautiful dining area
When the room is left empty, echoing and clean, all that remains is to refine it:
- carry out communications - otherwise there will be no light in the attic, and in winter it will be cold in it;
- ensure sound insulation - to do this, check how well you can hear from below what is happening in the attic, and, if necessary, lay a layer of soundproofing material;
- provide warmth - heating alone is not enough, you need to cover the walls with heat-insulating material (this can be either cheap mineral wool or more expensive synthetic materials).
Wood frame
When the work is completed - on your own or with the help of specialists - you can move on to the more enjoyable part: cosmetic repairs.
Color solutions
Due to the complex geometry and lack of light, when decorating attics, it is best to use light shades: white, milky, beige or gray. No less relevant is natural wood with its expressive texture and patterns. If you have a large and spacious attic, feel free to choose bright or dark colors, depending on the chosen style.
Dressing room under the roof
It is unprofitable to set up a storage system on the ground floors due to the eternal lack of space. Setting up a room under a roof for such purposes, even if it’s a small area and has a specific shape, is a very good solution. Here you can take the things of all family members. With a thoughtful approach, we turn a non-standard layout into a plus.
Asymmetry and all kinds of ceiling bevels will not always allow you to place a store-bought assortment of furniture in the attic area. But you can think about how to use every corner with custom-made cabinets, racks, and shelves.
Closets and niches for long items are installed near the high walls. A wardrobe with sliding doors will fit well near sloping walls. Next to the low wall fragments, you can install low cabinets, benches that are comfortable to sit on, and store seasonal items, shoes and a vacuum cleaner there.
Materials and design
The main building materials when arranging an attic are wood, metal or reinforced concrete. Regardless of how it will be used, or whether it will be used at all, it needs professional insulation and weather protection. It is advisable to choose windows with deep seating and not to use foam during installation. But almost any finishing materials will do!
Floor finishing
Keep in mind that the attic floor is the ceiling of the lower floor, so first of all take care of high-quality sound insulation. Most often, the floor is laid along joists - this is more convenient and faster. Laminate or high-strength linoleum, and less often, tiles or parquet, are laid on top of the frame and substrate. We recommend avoiding materials that are too heavy, such as natural stone.
Wall decoration
Plastic materials that can easily withstand minor displacements and deformations typical of roofing are better suited for wall decoration. Such fluctuations are invisible at first glance, but too hard cladding will deform or crack over time. Also, plastic is usually not used - it is not environmentally friendly enough, especially when overheated in hot weather.
The classic solution is natural wood, which always looks warm and cozy. It creates additional insulation, ensures stable heat transfer and maintains a healthy microclimate. For more budget-friendly materials, pay attention to plywood, lining, siding and drywall. They can be painted, varnished and even covered with vinyl or non-woven wallpaper.
Ceiling design
The peculiarity of the attic ceiling is its complex geometric shapes, which need to be correctly emphasized. But first, take care of good insulation and roofing, otherwise the room will overheat in the summer and freeze in the winter. And at the same time, think about the heating and ventilation system in advance so that you can live in the room.
The most budget-friendly facing material is plasterboard, which can easily hide the insulation cake and any imperfections. It is easy to integrate any lighting into it and you can make multi-level structures. Wooden lining or imitation timber is not so flexible in use, but it is warm and cozy.
Exposed beams maintain that country house attic feel and provide additional insulation. You can leave and emphasize the original rafter structure or use decorative beams. It is convenient to attach pendant lamps, chandeliers, install ventilation and electrical wiring to them.
Tension fabrics are only suitable for attics with a simple ceiling design. Their main advantage is water resistance, so they will save you if the roof suddenly leaks. In this case, it will be enough to call a specialist and carefully drain the water after repairing the roof.
Lighting and backlighting
Due to the specific configuration in the attic, it is difficult to build the usual multi-level lighting. Especially if you want to preserve the outlines of the under-roof space, and not level everything with drywall. A series of pendant and slatted lamps, sconces, floor lamps and table lamps would be appropriate here. Beams, niches, and decorative elements can be emphasized with decorative lighting.
How to decorate a small attic?
To design a small attic, use light colors and try to retain as much natural light as possible. If you have only one room, you can zone it with color, contrasting elements or thin partitions. Light transverse beams installed between the roof slopes will help create the illusion of volume.
Interiors of rooms on the attic floor - photo
As we have already said, a residential attic can be decorated in any way you like. All living quarters can be easily moved there - the main thing is to think through the concept in advance. Here, look!
Attic bedroom design
The good thing about a bedroom in the attic is that it seems to be separated from the rest of the house. This is a real corner for privacy, where you can escape from the hustle and bustle and where guests will definitely not come. But when creating a bedroom interior, you still need to seriously think through the entire insulation pie on the walls and roof.
Living room design in the attic
We are used to the fact that the living room usually goes right next to the hallway, but this is not the only option. If you already have a spacious attic, a recreation and entertainment area will fit perfectly there. And in the evening, guests will be delighted with the view from the window - it’s always very romantic!
Kitchen design in the attic
A kitchen in the attic is attractive because of its privacy, because you can do business without distractions. Odors will not spread throughout the house, and noisy household members will run around the stove. And if you install the tabletop right next to the attic window, you can enjoy the view from above.
Office design in the attic
If you need privacy for work or creativity, a personal account is a real salvation. No conventionally fenced area in the living room or bedroom will ever compare with it. But there is usually nowhere to fit an office in the house, and here a small cozy attic away from the living quarters will come to the rescue.
Attic bathroom design
A bathroom on the attic floor is one of the most non-standard solutions, but that’s what makes it so attractive. Here you will need careful technical preparation, because you need to install water supply and sewerage. In addition, the bathroom is always humid and there are temperature changes, so additional insulation of the under-roof space is needed.
Design of a children's room in the attic
Most children are delighted by the very opportunity to climb higher, right under the roof. In the attic children's room you can create a real fairy-tale world with a princess castle or a pirate ship. If you are making a room for little ones, the main thing is to take care of protecting all sharp corners and sloping ceilings so that the child does not hit himself.
Home cinema
Usually one of the largest rooms on the ground floor combines the functions of a dining room, living room, and kitchen. This is convenient; zoning helps not to infringe on each of the segments.
The current design of an attic room, if there is no urgent need to save useful space, suggests the possibility of planning a full-fledged home theater on the second floor of a summer house or private house. This room contains a large sofa, TV, and a full-wall projector screen. Wires and the speaker system are hidden behind beautiful wall panels, where discs and other paraphernalia can also be conveniently placed.
If you have the resources and a lot of imagination, you can add a bar counter, a refrigerator for drinks, a machine for popcorn, and a coffee maker to the arsenal. If you make the furnishings mobile, the room will be useful for holding dance parties and other public gatherings.
