Loft Conversion Ideas: 19 ideas to inspire your loft conversion

Get inspired for your next extension project with these loft conversion ideas. Whether you plan on using your loft space as a home office, home gym, playroom, guest bedroom, kids room or a kids desk area, you're bound to find some inspiration here.

While it's not always possible to extend outwards, expanding your home upwards with a loft conversion, could be the solution to adding some much needed extra space, particularly if you live in a city.

A loft conversion provides the opportunity to go beyond the obvious extra bedroom and indulge in that home cinema, home gym, chic study or peaceful home library you've always wanted.

Alternatively, it could be a suitable spot to keep toys and kids' paraphernalia all in one place (and prevent them from being strewn across the living room) by turning it into a kids' floor.

That said, if a chic grown-up modern bedroom is what you have in mind, a loft conversion will often allow space for an entire master suite, and a new ensuite bathroom can also become a quiet retreat, away from the hubbub of the household, where you can relax and revive in peace.

Short on natural light and want to keep an open feel? Turn it into a mezzanine floor instead, with a balcony overlooking the space below.

Whatever you have in mind, consult with architects or loft experts, who will often have ideas you may not have thought of and are adept at maximising space.

Often just the addition of a small dormer or mansard roof can increase your space - and your options – considerably, but check your local planning laws.

If you live in a conservation area, there are certain restrictions with what you can and can't do to the exterior of your home, however, you can extend to certain heights under permitted development, which your local council (or architect) will be able to advise on.

Read on to see a selection of stylish and clever loft conversion ideas to get the inspiration flowing...

1. All exposed

This fab family home used to be an enormous post office. The property had previously been a sorting office, then a theatre, so it had an industrial feel that could be used to the architect’s advantage. The renovators liked that there was so much scope with its high ceilings and exposed ducts. They could really play around with the space and the lighting scheme.

2. New York ladder

In this children’s room, a glossy black New York-feel fire-escape-style ladder ascends to a mezzanine level, with balusters outlined in a sharp red.

3. Loft Alcove

This window seat nook has a definite Peter-Pan feel. Decked out in vintage eiderdowns and soft throws, it’s one of the owner’s favourite spots.

4. Exposed beams

A former blacksmith's workshop, the roof space is now a master suite. An inset fireplace keeps the room cosy and warm, whatever the weather outside. 

5. Angled windows

Now a separate family room, light floods into this space on the apartment’s upper level, which leads to the roof terrace. 

6. Skylights for star gazing

The organic curves of this bath are a calm contrast to all the straight lines and angles in the former loft space. It’s placed under the window so you can lie back and stargaze. 

7. Mezzanine level

The owners' two young daughters share a bedroom. The room height is generous enough that the child who sleeps at the top of the ladder, has her own “room” within the room. 

8. Feature wall

One of the attractions of this house was the vast, unconverted loft space. The owners' originally wanted this space to be the library, but the engineer said the floor couldn’t take the weight of the books, so the wallpaper does the trick instead and it's now a charming den. 

9. Paint it all white for a bright airy look

This attic space and master en suite is pretty decadent. The owner likes to joke that it’s the same size as her first apartment back in New York.

10. Retain original detailing where possible

Set in a converted gothic church, this is a haven right at the top of the flat, with light streaming through the roof window. 

11. Eaves bathroom

Tucked under the eaves of the top floor, this luxurious yet simple bathroom is a welcome sanctuary at the end of the day. 

12. Kids' attic and playroom

This bedroom at the top of the house had previously been two smaller rooms, but the stud wall was removed to make a large space to last from childhood to teenage years.

13. Open it up with a mezzanine level

Alternate-tread stairs that double as a bookshelf lead up to a mezzanine gym. The double height means that, in volume terms, this room is huge. 

14. Create a mezzanine balcony for double living space

This top floor was converted into a mezzanine library with a balcony overlooking the space below. Double height windows and alcoves were installed to help make the spaces flow. 

15. Guest bedroom

The strength of the deep blue headboard and amber cushions are wrapped up in the softest of fabrics, giving the guest bedroom a traditional yet luxurious feel. the old-fashioned finishing touches mean the overall look is serene but far from bland.

16. Guest ensuite

This loft has room for a generous guest bedroom and bathroom, perfect for when guests come to stay. The look is kept simple with aqua metro tiles and graphic flooring.

17. Kids' room

Tucked beneath the eaves at the top of the house, this youngster’s bedroom is a snug, well-ordered retreat. 

18. Shower room

If you're allocating the loft space to the kids, best to give them their own bathroom or shower room too – it'll also help keep the master ensuite mess-free. Perfectly fitting the proportions of the space, this sleek shower area is tiled in a bold swimming pool blue. 

19. Adults' living room and work space

Two separate living rooms were created in this home, so there is space to retreat to even when guests are staying.