Attic Bedroom Decor: Creative Ways To Utilize Your Space

Decorating an attic bedroom can be a challenging but rewarding endeavour. With the right design choices, an attic can be transformed from a dusty storage unit into a stylish and functional living space. In this article, we will explore various design tips and tricks to help you create a beautiful and comfortable attic bedroom. From maximising space and light to choosing the right colour scheme, we will guide you through the process of decorating an attic bedroom to achieve a cosy and inviting atmosphere.

Use light colours to make the room appear larger and brighter

When decorating an attic bedroom, using light colours is a great way to make the room appear larger and brighter. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Choose a Light Colour Palette

Select light and neutral colours such as white, off-white, cream, or beige as the primary colours for your attic bedroom. These colours will reflect light and make the space feel more open and airy. You can also introduce pops of colour through accessories and décor, such as throw pillows, rugs, or artwork, to add interest and personality to the room without making it feel cramped or dark.

Opt for Light-Coloured Flooring

Consider the colour of your flooring when decorating your attic bedroom. Light-coloured flooring, such as light wood or neutral carpet, can help to enhance the sense of space and brightness in the room. If you have dark flooring, you can always use rugs or other coverings to lighten the overall effect.

Paint the Ceiling a Light Colour

Since attics tend to have low or sloped ceilings, it's important to pay attention to their colour. Go for a light colour, such as white or a light shade of blue or green, to make the ceiling appear higher and the room more spacious. Avoid dark colours, which can make the room feel oppressive and cramped.

Use Matching Colours for Walls and Ceiling

To create a seamless and cohesive look that enhances the sense of space, consider using the same light colour for both the walls and ceiling. This trick helps to blur the boundaries of the room, making it feel more expansive.

Install Skylights or Windows

Attic bedrooms can often lack natural light, so consider installing skylights or windows to brighten up the space. Skylights are a great option for attics, as they bring in an abundance of natural light and can make the room feel larger by drawing the eye upward. If you're installing windows, opt for sheer curtains or blinds to maximise the light coming into the room.

Choose Light-Coloured Furniture

When selecting furniture for your attic bedroom, opt for pieces in light colours. White or light-coloured furniture will blend seamlessly with the walls and ceiling, creating a sense of continuity and making the room feel more open. Avoid bulky, dark furniture, which can make the space feel crowded.

Install skylights to increase natural light

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to attic bedrooms is the lack of natural light. Skylights are an excellent way to address this issue and bring in more daylight. Here are some tips to help you maximise the natural light in your attic bedroom by installing skylights:

Plan and Assess the Space

Before you begin, it's important to assess your attic space and plan the skylight installation. Consider any attic obstructions like HVAC units, ductwork, plumbing vents, or electrical wires that might affect the skylight placement. A professional installer can advise you on the best course of action and may suggest adjusting the skylight location or relocating certain obstructions.

Choose the Right Type of Skylight

There are various types of skylights available, and selecting the most suitable option for your attic bedroom is crucial. Traditional dormer windows can be costly and time-consuming to install, and they may eat up valuable wall space. Instead, consider skylights or roof windows, which can easily be installed on slanted ceilings.

Opt for Energy-Efficient Options

Look for skylights with the ENERGY STAR qualification, such as the VELUX No Leak Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylights. These skylights are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit through December 31, 2032. Additionally, you can enhance their energy efficiency by adding solar-powered blinds.

Install Roof Windows for Maximum Ventilation

If you want to combine natural light with excellent ventilation, consider installing roof windows. VELUX offers top-hinged and double-sash balcony models. The balcony model opens at the top and bottom, creating a roof balcony that lets in more light and provides outdoor access. This option is ideal if you want to create a sense of openness and bring in fresh air.

Consider the Installation Process

The installation process for skylights typically involves two main components: the rooftop and the interior ceiling. Professional installers will measure, cut, and fasten the skylight to the roof, ensuring a secure fit. They will also handle the interior portion, which includes drywall work and painting to match your ceiling. The installation time can vary depending on factors such as weather conditions, roof style, and ceiling style.

Enhance the Space with Natural Light

Skylights can transform your attic bedroom by making it feel larger and brighter. They can help colours pop and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Additionally, consider adding features like solar-powered blinds that can be controlled via a smartphone app, allowing you to adjust the lighting to suit your mood or the time of day.

By following these tips and installing skylights in your attic bedroom, you can increase the natural light, create a comfortable and stylish space, and even boost the resale value of your home.

Create a luxury environment with quilts, throws and linen curtains

When decorating an attic bedroom, it's important to note that attics can be so much more than dusty storage units or unused spaces. With the right insulation and updates, an attic bedroom can become the loveliest room in the house.

Opt for a lighter colour scheme:

Attics often have a reputation for being dark and cramped. To counteract this, opt for a light, bright colour scheme such as grey and white with accents of light wood. This will help to brighten up the space and make it feel more open and inviting.

Play with patterns and textures:

Linen is a great fabric to work with as it adds texture and a sense of coolness to the room. Mix and match different fabrics and patterns to create a unique and interesting space. Don't be afraid to add pops of colour or embrace rustic textures to make the room feel cosy and inviting.

Create a sanctuary:

Attic bedrooms are slightly separate from the main house, so they inherently have a sense of privacy and serenity. Enhance this feeling by adding cosy quilts, faux fur throws, and delicate linen curtains. These touches of luxury will make your attic bedroom a true sanctuary to retreat to at the end of a long day.

Maximise natural light:

Attics can often feel dark and dingy, so it's important to maximise natural light as much as possible. Consider installing skylights or dormer windows to let in more light and create the illusion of more space. You can also opt for light-coloured curtains or blinds to allow more light to filter through.

Choose the right furniture:

Attic bedrooms often have low or sloping ceilings, so it's important to choose furniture that won't make the space feel cramped. Opt for lower furniture, especially for the bed, to maximise head height. Built-in storage can also help to maximise space and create a cohesive look.

By incorporating these ideas, you can create a luxurious and inviting attic bedroom that takes advantage of the unique features of the space.

Use lower furniture to create the illusion of higher ceilings

When decorating an attic bedroom, it's important to consider the unique architectural features of the space, such as sloping or low ceilings. One way to visually accentuate the height of the room is to opt for lower furniture, especially the bed. This creates the illusion of higher ceilings and maximises headroom, making the space feel less cramped.

In addition to lower furniture, there are other design strategies that can be employed to enhance the sense of space in an attic bedroom. Skylights or dormer windows can be installed to maximise natural light and create the illusion of more space. A light and bright colour scheme, particularly in white or neutral tones, can also make the room feel larger and more welcoming.

When choosing furniture for an attic bedroom, it's best to opt for smaller pieces that are proportional to the size of the room. A full-sized bed, for example, might be a better choice than a king-sized bed to conserve space. Built-in storage can also help to declutter the room and make the most of the available space.

The placement of furniture is another important consideration in an attic bedroom. Placing the bed beneath the window is a common strategy to maximise natural light in the area where you spend the most time. If there is enough space, a comfy chair by the window can create a relaxing reading nook.

By combining lower furniture with strategic design choices, such as skylights, light colour schemes, and thoughtful furniture placement, you can create a visually appealing and spacious-feeling attic bedroom.

Make use of awkward eaves by positioning beds underneath

When decorating an attic bedroom, you may be working with awkward eaves and slanted walls, but this can be an opportunity to get creative with your bed placement. Here are some ideas for making use of awkward eaves by positioning beds underneath:

Measure Your Space

Firstly, it's important to measure your space. Take measurements of every nook and cranny in your attic, and compare these to the furniture you want to include. This will help you work out if you have room for a larger bed or if you need to opt for a twin or single bed.

Positioning for Children's Beds

Attics can be ideal for children's bedrooms, as kids tend to love small, cosy spaces. Positioning a child's bed under the eaves can create a cute and cosy nook, especially if you add shelving and storage. If you're creating a guest bedroom for children, twin cabin beds can be softened with layers of pale grey-blue paisley and striped soft furnishings.

Positioning for Adult Beds

For bigger kids and adults, it's best to position beds under the highest part of the ceiling rather than under the eaves. This will ensure there is enough head height to sit up in bed and prevent the space from feeling too cramped. If you have ample headroom, you can put the bed anywhere, but if you're tight on space, opt for a lower bed frame or platform bed to maximise the sense of space.

Make Use of Natural Light

Attics can often feel dark and cramped, so make the most of natural light by positioning the bed between two skylights or near a window. This will create a bright and airy space and make the room feel bigger. If you're short on space, you can also add a statement light fixture, such as a chandelier or pendant light, to draw the eye upwards and create the illusion of height.

Built-in Beds

If you're looking for a more permanent solution, consider a built-in bed. This can be a great way to maximise space and create a cosy nook, especially if you add storage solutions such as slim bedside shelving and under-bed storage. Built-in beds can also be customised to fit the unique angles and recesses of your attic, ensuring every inch of space is utilised.

Frequently asked questions