Luxury Loft Bedroom Ideas To Enhance Your Home

 

Our bedrooms are our sanctuaries – a retreat that we go to in order to relax and wind down from the stresses and strains of the day. But because our bedrooms are the rooms that people outside our families see the least, they often get neglected, or left until last in the priority for being decorated – which means that they end up not being as relaxing as they could be.

Many of us have experienced the amazing sleep that comes from being in a lovely hotel when we’re on holiday abroad in a beautiful location, and wish that we could sleep half as well when we’re at home. While much of that is due to removing ourselves from the stresses and strains of our everyday lives, there is almost certainly a link with the décor, as well as the fact that housekeeping staff help to keep the space clean and tidy each day. With that thought in mind, and the fact that sleep is such an essential part of our lives, taking the time to think about our bedrooms, to plan a beautiful space and to invest in our sleep in order to benefit our health is well worth doing. 

Our homes come in all shapes and sizes, and we’ve written about decorating children’s bedrooms before, but when space gets tight and moving house isn’t on the cards, then making the most of the space you do have becomes crucial. With so many of us needing to make use of bedrooms as home offices, if making use of a summer house isn’t an option, and building an extension isn’t a possibility either, then the only way is up. Opening up the loft space can give you much more room, providing you with the potential for a luxurious hideaway – whoever is intended to sleep in the space. With all this in mind, in this post, we’re taking a look at how to use loft spaces for additional bedrooms – whether they’re for use as a master bedroom, an additional child’s room, or a spare room for guests. 

 

What Is A Loft Bedroom? 

 

It depends on which side of the Atlantic ocean you’re asking! In the USA, loft bedrooms typically refer to raised levels of rooms that can be seen from the main floor of the room – so they look much like an open mezzanine floor. If you’re really pushed for space in your home, this could be an option that you decide to use in other rooms, to add extra space as well as opening up your loft space!

 

In the UK, when we say loft bedrooms, we’re generally talking about space in the loft (the attic) that has been converted in order to be put into general use. In many cases, before being able to start creating it as a bedroom, the loft conversion will involve laying floorboards, potentially adding insulation, and finishing walls in order to keep the heat in, as well as planning how you will decorate the space and fit furniture in.

 

Why Create A Loft Bedroom? 

People often decide to go ahead with a loft conversion for the simple reason that they need more space, but there are many other reasons for using loft space to create a bedroom. Common reasons to convert a loft space include: 

  1. To make more space: as we have already said. If you need to free space up space for another person to join the family home, to give you additional space to use as an office, or to create a games room – well, the loft conversion is likely to be one of the first things to consider to be able to make that happen.
  2. To invest in your home: a loft conversion can add up to a massive 25% to the market value of a house. Even if you’re not planning to sell any time soon, and the loft conversion is purely for your own benefit, when you finally do come to sell, it is likely you’ll make back more than what you put in in order to create the bedroom. 
  3. To avoid building into your garden: if you don’t want to build outwards because you love your garden (or maybe you don’t have space to extend) then creating a bedroom in the loft space can give you the additional space you need without needing to spoil your garden. 
  4. Fast installation: for most homes, planning permission isn’t required for loft extensions, which means that once you’ve made the plans for the work, and the floorboards are down in your loft, you are likely to be able to complete the job relatively quickly.
  5. Increased insulation: a lot of heat can be lost through poorly insulated loft spaces, which can increase your energy bulls exponentially. By creating a loft bedroom, you’ll be helping to keep the heat inside your home – especially if you decide to carpet the room and add other insulation – and so you’re likely to see your heating bills decrease, even though you are heating an extra room.
  6. To enjoy your home even more: if you add skylights or windows to your loft space, you’ll be able to enjoy the view from your home from a different angle. Not only that, but as the sunshine streams in through your loft windows, those sunny weekend mornings will feel even sweeter.  

 Whatever the driving force for you creating a loft bedroom is, the first thing you’ll need to do is to plan – so let’s take a look at what you’ll need to consider in order to make the space work for you. 

 

Planning  

Having a proper plan means that you can set your loft bedroom set up on budget, and to the timescale that you want or need it to be. Before you start even thinking about designing the space or choosing furniture, consider these points so that you can be sure the room meets the needs of the occupants completely. 

 

How Big Is The Space?

The size of the space that you have available in your loft will be one of the biggest influences on how you decorate your loft bedroom. Measure carefully, and be sure to make space of some of the excellent design tools that can help you create your dream space. Many of these are free and work online, so you may not even need to install anything on your PC. The great thing about these tools is that you’re much, much less likely to end up choosing a piece of furniture and build it, only to realise that it doesn’t work well in the loft bedroom because it is too big, small, or the wrong shape. 

 

Large Loft Spaces

With a larger loft space, it can be easier to create a luxurious look and feel, since in many UK homes space is at a premium – indeed, simply having large amounts of floor space is luxury in and of itself! 

Consider Adding A Bathroom 

 

Having a private ensuite bathroom is pretty luxurious – especially if your house is a busy one. If you have a large loft space, consider using a section as a bathroom. A full bathroom suite offers much opportunity for relaxation, but even if your ensuite simply contains a shower cubicle, sink and toilet, it will definitely benefit your home, especially when the family bathroom is in peak demand! This bathroom with glass surround is pretty luxurious – although maybe this is a bathroom for use by one person only, since there is little privacy!



Dressing Room 

 

If your loft space is really extensive, then you may be able to create a dreamy dressing room space between your bedroom and your bathroom. Add a chaise longue for a place to sit when you’re 

 

Having this space means that the bedroom can be kept clear of clutter, and if your partner sleeps to a different pattern to you, you are less likely to wake them when you’re getting ready for your day.  

 

Desk Space 

 

If you have a small bit of room that isn’t quite big enough to put a bathroom or dressing room in, then why not use it for an additional desk? Especially if there is more than one member of the family that is working from home, being up out of the way of everyone could mean that you have the perfect spot for silent working. 

 

Reading Nook 

If your office space is quite sufficient and you don’t need an extra desk, then another great addition to a loft space can be a cosy reading nook – especially if you have children or teenagers that are competing with each other for being heard! A comfortable armchair, or a built-in snug with a book shelf is the perfect addition to your loft, giving you a peaceful alternative to the TV in the evening, or a place for quiet contemplation as you enjoy your morning coffee. 

 

Small Loft Space

Even if your loft space is a small one, with the right furniture and careful use of space your loft can still be a luxurious bedroom.

When you’re choosing furniture for a small loft bedroom, clearly you’ll need to look for space saving options. Beds that are low to the ground (often referred to as ‘loft beds’!) can help the space to feel more open, while slimline wardrobes are easily found – or build them in to use the maximum space. Where space is really tight, you might opt to minimise the amount of furniture even further, to keep the space feeling more open. In this case, you might make use of a floating shelf in lieu of a bedside table, and exposed rails rather than closet space – this works perfectly if the loft bedroom is to be a guest room, since there is likely to be less clutter. 

If floor space is really tight, but height is not, and you need to be able to factor storage or study space into your loft bedroom, then consider building a mezzanine bed, or if the room is for use by a child, a high sleeper bed. By moving the bed up off the floor, it is possible to add wardrobes and drawers underneath, or even desks and chairs. Although a mezzanine bed might feel like a huge project, it won’t take a trained carpenter long to build, and there are many, many plans free to download on the internet if you fancy having a go at it yourself – including how to build mezzanine beds using Ikea furniture!

 

What Existing Features Can You Make The Most Of?

Although it can be tempting to try and make your loft bedroom look and feel like a traditional rectangular bedroom, if there are interesting existing features then make the most of them! Not only will you be able to save time and money on decorating bills, but you’ll also be showing off the inbuilt beauty (or quirks, depending on how you think of them!) of your home. So before you pick up the phone to the plasterer, look critically at what is already there. Do you really need to plaster over brickwork, or cover up beams? How might the layout be used to your advantage?

 

Use Brickwork  

Exposed brickwork isn’t to everyone’s taste, and we’re certain that some of you will absolutely hate the idea. But with the right furniture and accessories, you can use the bricks as the starting point of a really special loft bedroom. If you’ve also got exposed beams, you might decide to capitalise on that for an industrial look. If the brick is too dark in colour, consider using whitewash or limewash to brighten up the space without losing the textured look of the wall. 

 

Highlight Timber And Wooden Beams 

If there’s already quite a lot of wood in your loft space, then why not work with it and make it a feature? The log cabin effect can look wonderful, and using additional wood in your attic will work to insulate too.

Shiplap cladding has been having a moment in home design, and it can be pretty versatile, since there are a wide variety of finishes that you can use. If the colour of the timber feels dark and you need to brighten it up, then paint it white, off-white, or light grey for a fresh, bright feel that works perfectly with Scandinavian style décor. 



Make Use Of Uneven Spaces

In older homes, it is common to find that not everything lines up as exactly as you might prefer, or there are parts that need sectioning of – such as if your water tank is in the loft. While that can be sometimes be a bit of a nuisance, you can play it up and use it as a feature in your loft bedroom. That might mean tucking beds into recessed areas, using the crooked angles for creative storage, or if it really isn’t going to work for you, building wardrobe space in. 

 

What Lighting Is Required? 

Dark and dingy rooms don’t inspire us to make the best use of a space – and that’s why we talked about brightening up a dark room on our blog recently. In most rooms in the home, windows are already there – but they aren’t always installed in loft space, especially in homes with traditional gable roofs. If you are using a loft as a bedroom, you’ve got a few options – adding windows and window coverings, or using electric lighting to light up the space. 

 

Adding Windows 

Loft spaces can get really warm during the summer months, and feel super dark even during the daytime. The bigger the windows, the easier it is to solve both those issues – but adding large windows in loft spaces can get expensive. However, if you have room in your budget to add at least one window, and having the work done to install them is possible, it is well worth doing so. 

 

Window Coverings 

 

Being able to cover the window is something that is pretty standard for most of us in the UK – not having curtains often leaves us feeling that the room is bare. However, you may not need to use heavy curtains. You’ll know the answer to this, since it depends on where your home is, whether it is overlooked, has street lighting that you need to block out – or has another consideration entirely. 

 

For homes that are out in the countryside, or you love the feeling of the daylight streaming in to wake you up, then a light, gauzy voile-style curtain may be all you need, whereas in urban areas, the need for blackout curtains or blinds are likely to be a necessity.

 

If there are skylights in your loft bedroom, then there are plenty of options. Roller blinds, pleated blinds and venetian blinds can usually be fitted to skylight windows, and can create a fully blackout effect – which is essential if the street lighting in your area is brighter than you’d like at bedtime. 

 

Lighting Options 

 

If putting windows into your loft space isn’t an option, then you’ll need to think carefully about how to use lighting. Of course, a lot of the time that the space is being used, it will be bedtime or morning, but when that’s not the case then you’ll need to be able to see everything else that needs to happen in the room. 

 

You’re going to need sufficient ambient lighting, which can be provided by the main light on the ceiling, but you can increase this with task lighting like bedside table lamps and dressing table lighting. If you have interesting architectural features or artwork, then highlight them with accent lighting such as wall sconces and lanterns.  

For loft bedrooms without natural light, an alarm clock that simulates the natural dawn is likely to be a welcome addition. They’re designed for use in the winter months, to make getting out of bed easier, and are ideal for darker rooms too. 

 Because rooms with no windows are super dark, there are a number of accessories that you might want to consider too. Light switches with dimmer settings that are installed right next to the bed, adding a smart speaker that allows you to turn the lights on gently with your voice, without fumbling around, or perhaps a low-level dim night light near the door, just in case of emergencies are all great options. 

 

What Sort Of Colour Scheme Do You Prefer?

Choosing a colour scheme often goes hand in hand with the type of styling that you decide to go for – and there are some styling options that will have logical colour schemes, such as neutral shades that work perfectly with minimalist, or Scandinavian styling. We’ve got more relaxing bedroom colour scheme ideas in this post – so if you’re stuck on which colour to choose, head there.  

 

Neutral Shades

 

If you’re decorating a smaller, darker loft space, then using neutral décor is likely to be a good option – especially if the loft bedroom is intended for guests to be able to stay in. Many hotels use neutral décor because it is inoffensive, and especially in smaller bedrooms, to help the room feel less cluttered.

 

Dark And Moody

 

We’ve already mentioned working with what you have in the space, so why not make the most of the fact that the space is dark and dramatic? Using shades of navy, charcoal, chocolate or even black can be incredibly striking, and you can create a lighter feel by using metallic accessories that gently reflect the light.

 

Sumptuous Jewel Tones

 

Jewel tones such as amethyst purple, emerald green and deep ruby red can look fantastic in a bedroom. In darker bedrooms, they can help to create a lavish boudoir feel, especially when textures are brought in to create even more visual interest. You can highlight the decadence of the room by bringing accessories in with antique gold effects for a richly luxurious feel. 

 

How Will You Make The Furniture Work In The Space?

When you’ve decided on the colour scheme and the style that you want to create, then it is on to the furniture. Although you may need to work with furniture that you already have, if you are changing the style of the room completely compared to where the furniture was, there are many ways to refurbish or upcycle existing furniture to give it a completely new look. That might be as simple as switching hardware like handles on doors and drawers to give outdated furniture a more modern look, changing the doors, or refinishing furniture completely with a different varnish or paint. 

 

Bed

 

There’s an old piece of advice that states that you should never scrimp on your shoes or your bed, because if you’re not in one, you’re in the other. Those are pretty wise words (we’ve bought, and regretted, cheap shoes!) and buying the best quality bed that you can afford will help you to ensure that your sleep will be as restful as possible. As we’ve already mentioned, if the room is small, then a bed that is lower to the ground can help make the room feel less cluttered. 

 

Following on from the thought of buying the best possible quality bed, and a mattress that is perfectly suited to your sleeping position, it is worth investing in excellent quality bedding too, whether you prefer sheets and blankets, or a duvet. If the bedsheets are the best part of staying in a hotel for you, it is easier than ever to source those high thread count, luxurious linens from specialist hotel suppliers – and you can get high quality pillows that support your neck, and duvets from them too. 

 

Storage Space 

 Of course, bedrooms aren’t just about sleeping, which means storage needs to be considered. Wardrobes, chests of drawers, and dressing tables are all essential for keeping clothing, toiletries and self-care products tidied away and where we can access them easily. 

 Depending on the shape of the loft bedroom you have, and the style that you want to be able to achieve, then you’ll need to decide whether to use freestanding furniture, or to build furniture in. If you’re lucky to have a large loft space and you’re able to dedicate a complete area to built-in storage, or even a walk-in closet space, we can guarantee that this will enhance the space, and the storage in your home, no end. 

 If the room is smaller, you’ll need to be creative and make use of storage in plain sight. You might add an ottoman at the end of the bed, use under bed storage, or add storage behind the headboard of the bed. 

 

Even with an amazing storage space such as the one below, you’ll still need to be able to use it effectively. That means storage solutions! Baskets are ideal for making best use of space without having the contents on display, and if you need to make use of the room under your bed, then under bed storage boxes can keep your possessions safe from moths. 



Soft Furnishings

Bedrooms should offer comfort, and be comfortable, and so should the soft furnishings. Additional pillows and cushions, throws, curtains and rugs should be tactile and encourage touching – so look for textures like velvets, teddy bear fabrics, and crisp cottons for contrast.

 

Scents

 

When your bedroom looks and feels good, the right scents can really help take the bedroom to the next level. Bringing in essential oil diffusers or reed diffusers for scents that you really love can make your bedroom feel even more luxurious, and if you’re using the right scents, can even help aid your sleep. 

 

Scented candles are another way to really increase the luxury and to make the room feel cosy and atmospheric, not to mention that candlelight is pretty flattering, so it is great for romantic moments. 

 

Luxury Loft Bedroom Styling Options

There are many, many different ways to create a luxurious feel to a bedroom, and every one of us is likely to have an opinion about what constitutes a luxury loft. We’ve pulled together some popular ideas that are on trend to inspire you, and to get your search under way.

 

Cosy Scandi Styling

 If minimalist spaces feel just a bit too stark and empty to you, but you love the idea of minimalism with just a few more things, then Scandinavian styling is likely to be right up your street. With Scandinavian styling, the emphasis tends to be on simple and neutral wall décor, with furniture and soft furnishings made from natural materials. 



Luxury Safari

We’ve seen some incredible loft bedrooms that incorporate the look and feel of a luxury safari tent, and we love the idea! Not only will lengths of thick canvas sheeting help to evoke the feel that you’re off in an exotic land, but it can also help to keep the heat in as well – which might be useful if you’re doing your renovation in stages. 

 To really get the effect, keep the room as minimal as possible. A low profile wooden loft bed is perfect (and works well with low ceilings), with wooden furniture for the storage that you need. If you want to add a chair, consider one made from rattan, leather, or cotton. 



Elevated Coastal  

While you might think we’re going to suggest a beach inspired bedroom, we’re thinking more along the lines of a luxury yacht than a beach hut here. Rather than twee bright seaside, or ice cream colours, the colour palette should focus on bright whites, seafoam greens and oceanic blues, with clean lines, high quality wooden furniture and shiny chrome handles. Crisp white bed linen is evocative of sails, and when choosing accessories, look for more chrome, with glass and fabrics that look and feel expensive – even if they’re not. 

 

Family Guest Suite  

If you regularly host guests, you might be thinking of using your loft bedroom as a guest suite. When you’re hosting a lot of guests – perhaps your children enjoy sleepovers with friends, or you have whole families to stay with you – then it might make sense to create a luxurious dormitory-style space, with beds tucked into the eaves of the roof and separated by curtains. If you’re building this type of space in, this can help make each bunk feel like a little space of their own. 

If children are likely to be staying, then bear in mind that this kind of setup might be a little strange for them, so be prepared and have fairy lights on hand to chase the shadows (and the monsters that live in them!) away without needing to keep the lights on all night. 

 

 

 

Minimalist Oasis 

The luxury is the amount of space – and if you’re planning on using the space for your own bedroom, why not make it a minimalist retreat? If the chaos and clutter that come with children sends you to despair, make your attic bedroom the haven you need. Keep furniture functional and beautiful, with surfaces clear and essentials tidied away. If the walls feel way too bare, then you can add interest with a wall mural, or a beautiful sculptural light shade or two to draw the eye. 



 

Modern Masculine

 Masculine bedrooms doesn’t need to mean untidy and uncoordinated. A more masculine bedroom look can be attained by choosing imposing, yet practical furniture to make a statement, with darker shades for walls. Small hints of tartan or tweed fabrics gives a nod to the gentleman’s country club aesthetic without becoming overbearing. 

 

Choose a bedframe that draws attention, and keep bedding classic – Oxford pillowcases with turned-down sheets and a top blanket. If you want to avoid the full-blown country manor effect, choose modern artwork that contrast – avoid prints of horses and hounds! Cityscapes counterbalance the country feel nicely.  

 

Hotel Chic 

 Think about the best hotel you’ve ever stayed in – or the one that you’d absolutely love to stay in – and use that as your inspiration. If your loft bedroom is to be your guest suite, and the size and layout of the space allows, this can be a great way to use the space. The image we’ve added below isn’t a loft room, but we could certainly see how this look would translate to a loft bedroom – the off-white and neutral shades, the high shine floor tiles, and the chrome on the furniture help to bounce the light around nicely. 



Final Thoughts 

While we’ve collected some wonderful ideas in this post, they might not be for you – and that is OK, because there are hundreds of thousands of ideas that could be your perfect loft bedroom. If you’re still unsure of the looks that you love, we recommend heading to social media for some more ideas. Pinterest in particular is a great source of inspiration, and is a fantastic way to collect images and ideas together before you get started with a project. Once you’ve got your loft bedroom ideas, be sure to head to the Anything 4 Home store for storage accessories, pillows, cushions and so on – we’re adding new products all the time.