Need space for a custom home office, guest room, bathroom, children's play area, or even a master bedroom? Look up...to the attic! An attic remodeling project can bring extra square feet of usable space to your house without a lot of added cost. Before you start planning for your home renovation, here are a few considerations:
Evaluate the space: If you don't have permanent stairs leading to the attic, you'll need them. Most staircases need 10 to 14 square feet of floor space. Similarly, most municipalities require 7 1/2 feet of head room in a living space. Is your ceiling high enough? Think about how you will heat and cool the space. Will you need to add ducts and insulation? Consider the flooring. Is it sturdy enough to support a load of people and heavy furniture?
White Ladder Shelf
Consider the light: Lots of attics are windowless, but there are many ways to address that. Consider adding windows or skylights. If the new space is a bedroom, you can install a skylight with remote-controlled shades for privacy - and sleeping in on the occasional morning. Painting the walls white and installing mirrors helps to reflect the light you do have and creates a feeling of spaciousness.
Make storage room: Many attics are on the small side and have sloping roofs. You need to maximize all of the available space. Be creative and think about built-ins. Sloping shelves can be built in along one end of the attic. You might be able to build in seating with storage inside it. Don't waste the area under the eaves, which can be the perfect place to put shelves or cabinets.
Add more space: A dormer can really expand the sense of space in an attic addition. You can even add a shed dormer, which is a longer set of windows that runs along most of one side of the roof. This can open up the attic space and give you more head room - without incurring major expenses.