Lofts are a wonderful hidden treasure that usually never sees the light of day. Many throw all of their old and unwanted belongings into it and never get round to sorting it. Lofts have a lot of potential, and with some much needed elbow grease they can become an integral part of the house. Here we take a step by step look at what it takes to transform you loft space into something more.
Picking A Plan
The very first thing that should be put into consideration is what you actually want to do with the space once it’s in working order. Many people opt for an extra or guest bedroom, but you could also consider turning it into a home gym or kids play area. You might even find that you still want to use it as a storage area, but you can still vamp it up and make it more practical.
Stripping It Out
Before anything can be added to it, you need to take away everything you don’t want or need. It could be a simple as giving the floor a quick sweep, but in most cases you’ll need to cover the walls, sand the beams, check the insulation and maybe deal with a pest or two. It’s best to replace everything you can, depending on how untouched the loft is.
Security & Stability
Nothing is more important than the likes of health and safety, especially where lofts are concerned. You’ll need to check for any lasting damage that might have occurred that should be fixed promptly. Common problems include wood worm, damp and unsecure beams. If you can it’s best to get an inspector in to assess the initial damage and to sign it all off when it’s secure.
Organise The Amenities
The resources you need will ultimately depend on the desired purpose of the room. If you want to turn it into a guest room, for example, you will certainly need some electrics here and there, but you might also want to install an en suite if you have the room for one, which means organising all the plumbing as well.
Dress It To The Nines
When you have your basic shell in place it’s time to pick up a brush and go wild! A safe bet for any room is to opt for subtle pastel colours but it depends on the room’s identity. A kid’s room can be made very bright and colourful to engage their senses while a home office should be smart casual.
It’s by no means a five minute job, and you may just need a helping hand from a labourer or two, but when done right you could have yourself a space you will enjoy for many years to come. For more information on converting you loft, and to find inspiration via galleries, why not look around online to see what you can discover.
Author Bio: Amber Waddy is the editor for Absolute Articles, an up and coming blog directory, and has written for many small businesses, such as MPK Lofts. She has covered many subjects in her time and finds she is always learning something new.