AT Home with Sarah Beeny - May 2011 - (Page 108)

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of your loft
If space is an issue in your home then look above for inspiration
Converting your loft will give you another room to play with and free up space downstairs – and deciding what to do with that space is the fun part. Don’t forget about the items that are in there now though – you need to make sure there is space for them or have a car boot sale! essential, so make sure the window is inaccessible and the blinds operated electronically. The stairs should be designed with child-friendly rails, so access is easy. With kids’ rooms storage is vital – they come with lots of stuff and that gets bigger and more prolific the older they get. Make lots of cupboard space, so you can put everything away easily. Floor space is another big consideration with kids – toys that can be built on the ground such as train tracks, puzzles and imaginative games need space to grow, so leave plenty of room. Finally, consider what they will need when they are teenagers – a space to study and power points for their endless gadgets.

ways to make use

accompaniment to the guest bedroom. Attic roofs slope, so plan space for clothes storage before you proceed with the conversion.

Thinking ahead is the key if you are designing a space for the kids – in three years’ time they will not be into Bob the Builder or Disney princesses, so don’t over-theme. Remember that where kids are involved, safety is

A kids’ haven

After a hard day at the office, why not work out in your very own loft-space gym? You can have the music on at just the right volume, and after exercising, what could be handier than being able to step straight into your own shower? ✱

Exercise high

108 | may 2011

words: georginA mAric | photogrAphs: gettY imAges

If you want to install an extra bathroom in the loft, a powerful pump is essential to provide enough water pressure to give good flow. Installing a shower is a clever idea if you have the head room, because it will help to sell your house. If space is tight, just include bare essentials, but ensure each piece of furniture is well designed and can stand alone comfortably. Wall-mounted taps will give your bathroom a contemporary feel and if there’s no room, think about storage with cupboards mounted on the wall and a washstand cupboard under your basin. A wooden floor will save cash and you could buy a high-quality rug if you want to keep your feet toasty.

4
Sarah says...
‘Any loft conversion must have sufficient headroom – anything below 7ft at the highest point will feel a bit cramped. You will lose some of the head height in an attic when you convert it into a habitable room, as you will need to strengthen the floor.’

An ideal workspace

Water world

Having an extra bedroom at the top can mean peace and quiet for mum and dad or it could be an elegant guest bedroom that will impress visitors. Open up the space by installing lots of windows so that light streams in. If room is an issue consider a sofabed that can sit under awkward A-frame beams. A loft room will absorb some heat loss from rooms lower down in the house and the size of most attics is also in keeping with a basic guest room, so there will be room to install a small basin with comparatively little extra cost, and a walk-in shower is an ideal

And so to bed

Whether you are setting up your own business or just want a quiet area in which to work, the loft can make the ideal office. As most home offices are only laid out with one user in mind, this can be a very cost-effective option. You will not need the whole space, so go for a part-conversion here. This saves money, and only uses the room that you need. Getting a phone extension to the top of the house is easily managed, and broadband and computer installation should not present a problem. Make sure you have plenty of natural light and electric light options, so you don’t end up squinting at the computer. A wooden floor with rugs will keep it looking functional but comfortable and make sure you can fit in your desk and other furniture.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AT Home with Sarah Beeny - May 2011

Editor’s letter
A word from Sarah
Notebook
Spring sensation
Big-name bedrooms
Brilliant buys for your home
House talk
Home horrors
Areas on the up
Property perfectionist
Mortgage mania
Solicitor’s service
a penny for your thouGhts
Housing hotshot
Wise up
Flying the nest
Making the ideal become real
Boost your build
Feeling lofty
Garden plotting
When cracks appear
Window shopping
Stay toasty
Warm up
Success story
Top transformation
Greenovate your home
Eco boost
Organic ignition
Green queens
Solve those dilemmas
Splash of colour
Bed down in style
Lounge around
Kitchens and bathrooms
Bubble up
Shower power
Instant illumination
Floor wars
The carpet market
Tip-top tiles
Tools of the trade
Fresh air furnishings
Grill thrills
Picnic perfect
Green supreme
Diary date
Kerb appeal
Up top
Brick cladding
Groovy garages
Lodge life
Go your own way
Car booty
Clock ticker
Stockists
Coming soon
On the list
Listed lovelies

AT Home with Sarah Beeny - May 2011