Attic floor: photos of living interiors from leading designers

An attic room is an excellent solution for people who do not want to lose attic space. Many owners use this room exclusively for storing unnecessary things, but meanwhile it can be turned into a comfortable and cozy place to relax. Of course, the layout of the attic is also characteristic: sharp corners, gently sloping walls significantly reduce the space, at the same time you can personalize the room using unusual furniture and decorative elements, and a beautiful view from the window and comfort are not available on the lower floors. We offer you the TOP 10 best ideas for creating a comfortable atmosphere and original design in an attic room.

Cozy interior of an attic room

Functional zoning of the attic room

Before you begin zoning, you need to evaluate the design features and layout of the room. The number of zones will directly depend on how spacious and lit your attic is. Often, owners either organize a studio there or divide it into several separate rooms. In particular, if your room has low beams or supports, it is much easier to decorate them and hide them behind a partition than to try to make columns or decorative supports out of them. Be that as it may, in the attic you can create a cozy bedroom, an original living room, an unusual children's room and even a study - here it all depends on your needs and wishes.

Functional zoning of a small attic room

Peculiarities

Due to its non-standard size and shape, the attic brings many difficulties when planning a professional design.

The design of the attic floor depends on the functional purpose of the room. Here you can arrange any building interiors: a relaxation area with a home cinema, a balcony, an architectural landscaped garden, niches, a children's room, a bedroom, a study. First of all, the attic arrangement project must take into account the wishes of the owners, the dimensions of the room and the height of the ceiling.

One of the features of the attic floor in a wooden house is sloping walls. The shape of the attic space is influenced by the slope of the roof. In a private building, it can be single-pitch or gable; less common are options with a hipped or sloping roof.

The following factors can become distinctive features of the attic:

• low ceiling;
• rafters and roof beams;
• a large number of angles;
• ladder;
• small number of windows;
• Difficulty in establishing communications. As a rule, the attic is not heated, especially in the country.

The attic floor allows owners to get real benefits from turning it into a living space, since the usable area increases and heat loss decreases.

Taking into account all the features, experts advise when arranging this territory to fulfill the following requirements:

• Roof insulation outside and inside.
• Supply of utilities: electricity, ventilation, air conditioning system.
• Only specialists can reconstruct rafters, so if the project provides for this, it is better to use their services.
• A rational approach to the use of beams, roof slopes, and support posts in the interior.

• Smart lighting scheme. It is necessary to consider the location of windows and their sizes. Designers suggest taking advantage of the option of installing vertical windows or in lucarnes (the so-called dormer window).
• Use moisture-resistant materials when finishing.
• Consider the ability of the floors to support the weight of all structural additions and furniture.
• Do not clutter the space.

Experts recommend that when building an attic, adhere to generally accepted standards for ceiling heights in residential premises - at least 220 cm.

We decorate the windows of a room in the attic

Often, for windows in attics, either blinds or light tulle are used - organza, satin, tulle, linen will come in handy, but it is better to refuse heavy curtains, especially if the room is small. Curtains are used either for eastern rooms, or if they serve the function of dividing space: for example, a canopy around the bed. Dormer windows let in 40% more light than vertical ones; they can be decorated with horizontal blinds or hung with Roman blinds - they suit different interior styles. If you want to play with contrasts, you can choose printed or plain bright curtains.

Beautifully decorated attic room windows

Video description

An option for insulating an attic roof with mineral wool is revealed in this video:

• Expanded clay.

The material is obtained by firing clay rocks. It is lightweight and environmentally friendly. It is produced in the form of granules, so insulation will require the construction of separate frame boxes for pouring expanded clay filler into them.

Insulation with expanded clay Source decorexpro.com

• Polyurethane foam.

This material belongs to the group of gas-filled plastics. The product is produced in two types - flexible elastic and rigid frame. The first is commonly called foam rubber, but the second is ideal for high-quality insulation of premises. In addition, with the help of this material, when used, as a rule, structures are further strengthened.

Insulation with polyurethane foam Source ibrus.ru

When insulating with polyurethane foam, it is important to protect the respiratory organs and mucous membranes Source lhlco.com

• Fiberglass.

High-quality insulating material that requires a tight fit to the surface to improve thermal insulation. The main disadvantage of the material is the presence of fine “glass” dust floating in the air during work. Getting it on the body, respiratory organs or mucous membranes is not allowed. These disadvantages are compensated by the price, which is the lowest of the listed materials.

Fiberglass insulation Source yandex.net

Hand and respiratory protection when insulating with fiberglass Source homesandproperty.co.uk

Before insulation, you should take care of ventilation issues. After this, the entire rafter system is covered with a waterproofing film. Suitable insulation is laid on top of it. It is also recommended to cover the floor with it. Then the material is covered with a vapor barrier layer (if necessary). Then the interior of the attic is adjusted with decorative finishing.

Heating options

For comfortable living in the attic all year round, you will need to take care of the heating system.

There are several solutions to this issue:

• use of a fireplace;
• installation of electric heaters;
• use of an autonomous heating system;
• connecting the attic to the general heating system.

Each solution has its own strengths and weaknesses.

By choosing a fireplace, in addition to warmth, the owner will become the owner of additional comfort, coziness and some individual zest in the interior.

Electric heaters will be optimal if the premises are used infrequently.

If you regularly live in the attic, it is recommended to connect to a permanent heating system or install an autonomous one. The first is the most acceptable option, the second is more expensive in terms of money.

Attic room lighting

The attic is always well lit; using ceiling lighting is not always beneficial. One large chandelier visually reduces the size of the room; an alternative would be a suspended ceiling or wall lights. It is preferable to do the wiring externally, covering it with boxes of suitable colors. For one large attic, two lamps above the bed and spotlights are enough. An interesting option would also be illumination of paintings and niches.

Gentle lighting in the attic room creates coziness

Video description

An overview of examples of incredibly cozy attics is shown in this video:

Artificial lighting

It is usually divided into:

• general – standard overhead electric lighting;
• local – illuminating certain areas.

If the attic ceiling is sloping or there are floor beams, it is not advisable to use general lighting. It will distort and reduce space. It is recommended to use spotlights or small hanging monotonous lampshades. To add more coziness, it is better to use halogen lamps, while greater severity and coldness can be achieved with fluorescent lamps.

Small attic room with artificial lighting Source yandex.net

Choosing a room style

A room in the attic can be decorated in any style: to visually enlarge it, use cool light colors or small patterns. In a large room, both a large pattern and darkened surfaces will look organic. You can decorate your bedroom in a classic or modern style, or create a cozy corner in the attic in Provence or eco style - for this you will need natural materials and fabrics. Rustic style is also very popular: patchwork bedspread, deliberately rough shape, plank walls, homemade rugs. If someone in your family is interested in hunting, the attic can be decorated in the style of a hunting lodge: light wooden walls (if desired, you can replace them with clapboard of a suitable color), skin instead of a rug, deer antlers on the wall - you don’t need much to create the right atmosphere. The interior in one of the oriental styles will also look interesting: you can replace the bed with “tatami”, put bamboo mats, put wicker chairs and a low table by the window. A couple of themed paintings and lamps will complete the picture.

Stick to One Attic Room Style

Wall finishing options

What is interesting about the attic walls? The fact that behind the cladding there can be a closet or a large niche that runs along the entire room. This often gets around the situation if the roof of the attic floor is gable. Using the space near the wall is problematic due to the low ceiling height. To get out of this situation, either place a bed by the window or fence off part of the area with a false wall. And it would be unreasonable to lose significant volume, so cabinets are often installed on the sides of attics.

The walls of the attic floor can be finished with the same materials as in ordinary premises of a frame house. To begin with, they attach the sheathing made of sheet materials (to the sheathing), then putty. Afterwards you can at least paint, apply decorative plaster, or glue wallpaper. There are also faster options: covering wall panels with MDF, wood, etc. The finishing material is attached directly to the sheathing; no finishing is required. Everything is fine, but it will be impossible to change the design with a little cost - just remove it and redo everything again. So if you like to redecorate your interior frequently, this is not your option.

This design contains the most interesting “false windows”

If the beams are painted the same color, it turns out very harmonious

The peculiarity of attic design is that the ceiling can also be covered with wallpaper.

Billiard room on the attic floor - classic design, smooth white walls and ceiling

With smooth walls, darkened beams look very interesting

Additional beams emphasize the geometry

If the ceiling is lined with boards or clapboards, the same material can be used on the walls, or it can be combined with painted walls or decorative plaster. But with the second combination you need to be more careful: not all combinations look equally good. For example, it is better not to experiment with a Venetian - she is not at all friendly with wood, give her a perfectly smooth ceiling and no beams. Not that style.

But a wooden ceiling gets along well with brick and stone. It's a win-win combination. If there is no “natural” stone or brick, you can use decorative one. It is many times lighter than usual, easy to install, and looks no worse. There is another option: flexible stone. It is somewhat reminiscent of linoleum, but is intended for walls. It can be mounted “once or twice” and looks quite plausible.

Wood and brick look great together

Gable roof with large windows

And even in an almost classic interior

Dark ceiling - risky

What is also interesting about the combination of wood and stone/brick is that it is appropriate in premises of any purpose. Looks great in the hallway, bedroom. You can make the interior of the living room, but the style will be loft or Scandinavian. But there are a lot of ideas in this area, and one is better than the other. Moreover, they are all “unhackneyed”.

Color combinations

Pastel colors look best in a small attic; you can add gold or silver details as an accent. By painting the ceiling vault in a light tone, you will visually increase its height. You can decorate the attic with clapboard: when you get tired of the color, you can easily repaint it. Light green, pink, yellow, blue, beige tones are also an excellent option for a small attic. The color of the walls should be duplicated in the decor: on curtains, decorative pillows, bedspreads, and so on - then the room will look harmonious. Don’t be afraid to use natural materials: even if they are not too bright in color, their texture and relief more than compensate for the apparent fade. Wood, bamboo, natural fabrics, artificial or natural stone - all this can be used when decorating a room.

We talk in detail about the combination of colors in the interior in this material. Read it.

Conical bedrooms - where to put the bed?

The idea of ​​an angled bedroom is not only about choosing the right colors, but also about the correct placement of the bed. You must consider the height of the walls on both sides of the furniture. People using the bed must be able to stand upright. This will prevent you from hitting your head painfully against the wall.

It is worth pushing the bed against the knee wall with the headboard. If the slope is too low and there is a risk of hitting your head on the ceiling, consider placing furniture against a straight wall. It will be much easier to find a suitable bed if you decide to order a model by size. In the case of a small storage space, place a piece of furniture with drawers that will be used for bedding.

• Arranging a sloped bedroom is a bit tricky - the placement of the beds can be problematic. Make sure both people have easy access to the furniture and there is no danger of hitting their heads on the ceiling.

A bed in a bedroom with slopes should be installed so as not to “bang your head against the ceiling.”

Beams in the attic

Many owners have unmasked beams in their attics: they can be left in their natural color, or they can be repainted. If you want to play with contrasts, then dark beams against the background of light walls look very organic, but it is better to duplicate them in decorative elements - a pattern on a bedspread or curtains, a dark rug or a vase with an ornament will come in handy. Grayish beams and beams painted in mahogany color look interesting, and simply untreated products are very colorful. A tandem of furniture and ceiling beams of the same color is also beautiful - then the composition will be more complete.

Using beams in the interior of an attic room

Video description

This video will introduce you to the features of the planning and construction of an attic roof:
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in roofing work of any complexity.

Insulation

It is recommended to carry out insulation work even in the case of arranging a non-residential attic.

During frosts and piercing winds, the overall temperature in the house will drop significantly due to poor-quality attic insulation. There will be a need for additional heating costs.

The off-season is characterized by significant changes in humidity and, as a result, the attic timber material begins to gradually deteriorate (rot).

The most common insulation materials are the following:

• Mineral wool.

It is practical and relatively cheap. It is produced in rolls or mats. The material is characterized by good thermal conductivity and anti-flammability. However, it must be additionally protected with waterproofing, because Cotton wool allows steam to pass through well.

Choosing fabrics for the attic room

It is better not to weigh down a small room, so preference is given to flowing fabrics - organza, satin, tulle, cotton; heavy and textured materials are used if the style requires it. For example, classic or baroque cannot do without satin, tapestry, velvet and others. Traditional fabrics in light colors are used to decorate the bed; you can also decorate the wall with fabric paintings and panels. Fabrics with various thematic patterns and prints are suitable for ethnic interiors.

Make your choice on lightweight fabrics for your attic room

Furniture for the attic

Since the attic has very peculiar slopes, furniture must also be chosen carefully. Mostly it is low: elongated cabinets, a transforming table near the window, several built-in cabinets. A good solution would be a hanging sofa, which is attached on four hooks to the roof beams, you can even hang a hammock, and if there is very little space, give preference to a bed that can easily be stored in a closet or low folding sofas.

For an attic room, choose low furniture, then it will not “eat up” the volume of the room.

Insulation and waterproofing

Various materials can be used as thermal insulators for residential premises. When working with your own hands, mineral wool is very popular. If the waterproofing layer has already been installed at the roofing stage, insulation is carried out in the following sequence:

Mineral wool

It has unique properties due to which raw materials can accumulate moisture. Therefore, it is suitable for finishing the attic after installing a vapor barrier.

Ecowool

Special equipment is required to apply this material. In order for the insulation to be of high quality, ecowool must be laid correctly, on a previously prepared surface.

Styrofoam

It is considered a high-quality, inexpensive ideal insulation material. The only drawback of expanded polystyrene is its structure, which does not allow steam to pass through, so moisture can accumulate in the room (you will also need to install ventilation).

Polyurethane foam

The material is applied by spraying and retains heat well, but the application process is complicated.

Children's room under the roof

Every child dreams of having a room under a roof, and nothing stops parents from experimenting with the interior. Styles can be different: nautical, vintage, shabby chic, modern, fabulous, sporty - there are a lot of options. Choose your coverings carefully – if possible, they should be easy to clean. The room definitely needs to be zoned: a work area, a play area, as well as a relaxation area - add bright accents, differences in floor heights, small screens or plasterboard partitions. The color is chosen taking into account the interests of the child, blinds and roller blinds are used to protect the windows. Decorative elements are also selected taking into account the wishes of the little owner of the room.

A very good solution to turn an attic room into a children's room

Attic kitchen

A kitchen under a roof is a very original solution for those who do not have enough space to accommodate a dining area. Natural light through the skylights and beautiful views completely compensate for any possible inconvenience. The main thing is to provide appropriate communications and divide the room into zones. It is advisable to arrange a dining island in the center of the attic, and place kitchen furniture under the slopes. The kitchen can be either plain or contrasting; you can use collapsible and transformable furniture to save space.

A kitchen in the attic is original, but very labor-intensive