Finally. The loft conversion is complete, so I thought I’d take you on a little room tour. Beware, this is a photo heavy post. It took the builders over 4 months to complete the work, with over a year in planning and it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, so here are some before and after pictures. I’ve also included a list of products I’ve used in the room and on the first floor, as well as a little video (scroll down) with more of a close up, giving you a better feel for the space.
If you’re thinking of doing a project like this yourself, hopefully this will help to see what you can achieve.
This is what we started with:
We had a decent space but it was crammed full of stuff and we had no idea if it could be turned into a room or not. We found an architect who’d designed quite a few extensions and attic conversions in our area and he came around for a chat. A few months later we had some plans which gave us the beginnings of what we could do to improve our home. These before photos are taken from pretty much the same spot as the after photo above.
Plans went out to tender and we chose our builder. He wasn’t available for a few months but we waited and finally towards the middle of August 2015 the work began.
Walls and ceilings came down on the first floor and the mess began. Once the first floor was safe and they were sure the ceiling wasn’t going to fall down, they broke through into the attic and started laying the floor.
Once that was done and the 3 steels were in place, they removed the roof! For 10 days we had no proper roof. And the it rained. For 6 hours a torrential downpour soaked the interior of our house. Not a night that I ever want to repeat. But it dried out, we trashed the carpet and moved on.
Moving into October and the room was starting to take shape. The roof was on, the new stairs were in and the structure was getting there too.
We had hoped it would be done by the end of November but we had a several builder delays over the coming month and it set things back quite dramatically. Heading towards Christmas the tradesmen were incredibly busy and it was difficult to pin them down, but…. we pushed on and managed a lot of it ourselves to get it finished. And finally just before Christmas it was done.
Loft Conversion Room Reveal:
I’ve been a fan of Lumie lights for ages, so had to have this in my room. This is a Bodyclock Active 250 which I’ve been using for a while, and the gradually increasing light wakes me softly in the morning casting a glowing sunrise in the new room. Our eldest daughter has a Bodyclock Starter 30, which she’s been using since Christmas and already she’s finding it easier to get out of bed in the morning! Cushion is from Habitat. And bedding from Bedeck.
The bedroom is a really good space, and I was always worried it wasn’t going to be big enough. It’s so hard to visualise how much space you’re going to have, but the architect and builders were confident it was going to be great. We’ve put in a King Size bed, some built in wardrobes and my dressing table (ignore the straighteners which slipped down from their hook!). One thing we really love is the light. The design has made the most of it with the 2 side windows, large dormer window and Velux roof window.
I picked up the stag antler and salvaged metal stencils from a small interiors shop in Norfolk last summer.
Jewellery organisation from Command 3m
As well as all the work on the attic, we had plenty to do in the hallway and landing areas which needed a lot of work following the flooding.
Hallway:
I used the same Dulux paint colour right from the front door all the way to the attic and love the drama. I normally use white or light colours so this was quite a departure for me but it’s really growing on me. The copper light fitting is from B&Q with thanks to Karen Knox for the tip.
The floor is a luxury vinyl from Harvey Maria from their Signature range. The HM Premium Wood in Church Pine is a brown/grey (although hard to photograph in this January light) and works beautifully with the carpet and wall colour. It was a dream to lay and feels very warm and sturdy underfoot. Look out for a more detailed review coming on the blog very soon.
On the first floor landing, the concrete lights are from BHS which I picked up in a sale, and the wallpaper, Harlequin Akoa is from wallpaperdirect. I’d been after something with an industrial and metallic feel, and this ticked all the boxes. It was a dream to put on and looks stunning. The foiled metallic edges change colour in the light from gold through to green through to grey. And of course it’s reflected over in the glass wall too.
Now, if you’d like something a little more 3D, I made a little video tour of the space, giving you a better feel for how it all works.
The following is a list of the products that I’ve used in the house, but if there’s anything else you’d like to know as it’s not an exhaustive list, do let me know.
Bedroom:
- Bed: Pocket Sprung Bed Company
- Bedding: Bedeck
- Bedside tables: Houseology
- Blinds: Luxaflex
- Flooring: Solid Bamboo from B&Q
- Dressing Table: Makeover here
- Chair: Habitat
- Round mirror: Exclusive mirrors
- Sheepskin rugs: Here
- Anglepoise desk light: Houseology
- Anglepoise wall lights: Houseology
- Paint: White Mist from Dulux
- Lumie Bodyclock alarm
- Bathroom products: Soakology
- Shower: Mira
- Tiles: Topps Tiles
Hallway/Landing:
- Wallpaper: Harlequin Akoa from Wallpaperdirect
- Paint colour: Jewelled Creek 1 from Dulux
- Flooring: Harvey Maria Vinyl Wood floor Church Pine
Thank you to the companies that collaborated with me on this project, the products from Dulux, Wallpaperdirect, Luxaflex, The Pocket Sprung Bed Company, Bedeck, The Sheep Shop, Lumie, Mira, Soakology, Houseology and Exclusive Mirrors were gifted, but everything else came out of our own budget for the renovation.
In total we spent about £35k on the the loft conversion and other bits with the builders and then some more on the other decorative pieces including the built in wardrobes, balustrade and stainless steel handrails. If you’re wanting to do a project like this, it’s always hard to find out how much it costs, so I thought I’d share that with you.
I’d love to know what you think? And if I could have done anything differently. I’m still resisting putting too much on the walls just yet, but I think in time I’ll add more art, I just need to find the right pieces.
Jen is an interiors writer and blogger and has an insatiable love of home style and decor
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It looks brilliant, Jen, I bet you’re thrilled with it! It’s great to see a complete ‘start to finish’ run-down of what was involved.
Author
Thanks Rachel, yes we love it. It’s such a quiet sanctury at the top of the house. x
I love it! You can tell that a lot of effort went into planning this. Meaning the execution is just bang on!
Author
Thanks so much Pamela, can’t wait to see your completed kitchen! x
WOW, It is really amazing. I love the way you started and finished this. Seriously you are great and the way you execute things is brilliant
Author
Thank you!
Hi Jen, about to start our similar attic conversion this year, am slightly scared about the amount of mess when they ‘break through’! Can I ask where you sourced the vintage style radiator in the attic room from? We have an Edwardian house and want to keep some traditional elements but make it quite contemporary at the same time as it is a new modern space. I know I will have more questions when we actually start it!!
Author
Hi Bex, thanks for your comment and how exciting if you’re going to be doing a similar project! The radiator in the bedroom is from Mr Central Heating and cost about £200, I’m about to order a smaller one for the landing. I thought I was going to be really stressed by the mess but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. There was a lot of dust but you just get used to it and know it’s only for a short amount of time. I struggled more with having people in my home for so long, so it’s important to keep one room that isn’t affected, if you can. That way you can always escape! Stay in touch and let me know how you get on.
I looks amazing Jen, I am so pleased for you, I bet you home feels so spacious, not only because you have the extra room, but no more workmen! 😉
Author
I can’t tell you how much of a difference it has made, to the whole house. It feels so much more spacious. Husband says that’s because lots of our ‘stuff’ is still in storage!
It looks wonderful, fantastic project to get your teeth into and also I do love the colours you have chosen. It is brave but you have pulled it off! Thanks for sharing the price too, it is something we wondering if we might end up doing in the future but didn’t have a clue how much it would cost.
Author
Glad that’s useful Steph, we were in the same situation and procrastinated over it for a long time because we really had no clue how much money we needed. You could do it for less if you didn’t do so much on the 1st floor.
Thanks for sharing this! Looks fab!
My house has exactly the same layout as yours and I was trying to visualise where the stairs to the attic would go!
Just wondering though how much space in the front bedroom did you loose? And what type of finish on the exterior of the dorma did you opt for?
Thanks
Author
Hi Amy, thanks for your comment. It’s hard to visualise isn’t it. We lost a corner from the main bedroom – there’s a post of my daughter’s bedroom makeover here too which might show you. The finish on the exterior of the dormer is cladded with Douglas Fir which we replicated inside a little too on windowsills and the internal doors. Hope that’s useful.
Blimey, Jen. It’s bloody brilliant. I can’t believe the difference. What an amazing project. The choice of paint colour for the stairway is also genius. I love it. I bet you’re glad to see the back of the builders and dust.
Author
Thanks Rachel, yep very glad to have the place back to myself in the daytime, I’m still getting use to it.
Wow what a transformation. I love the lightness and brightness of your attic conversation and how that contrasts with the dramatic, moody hallway. Really beautiful. You must be so happy with it! 🙂
Author
Thanks so much Emma, yes the colour contrast just kind of happened by accident, but I love the way it turned out. I can see the dark blue through the bedroom glass door too which I love.
Oh I love this- our loft has been extended on converted before we moved in- but not in the way I’d do it!! Might have to go back and sort it in the future
Author
Thanks Sue, good luck with that! x
Such a wonderful job and I’m sure worth all the pain of the remodel! Super interesting for me to see as well as I think I mentioned to you that our layout is absolutely EXACTLY the same as yours so bookmarking this for the future if we ever decide to convert our own loft which sadly, looks very much like your before pictures! Ha! Loving the video as well, gives such a nice idea of the space and layout! xxx
Author
I was thinking of you when I made the video Kimberly, and wondering if it would show how similar our houses are. x
It’s utterly identical 😉 Even the hallway downstairs is the same narrow width as ours with the doors to the living and dining room leading off in the same spots and the little bit of fancy cornicing above. Oh and our stairwell has the little step landing as well – the door directly in front is my dressing room (the box room) with the bathroom being the first on the right – is that where yours is too? 😉 Crazy, no? When we finally get around to doing our hallway, you’ll be able to see it! xx
It looks amazing Jen. Bet you’re glad it’s all over? I love the bedroom and it’s light but I also love the hall and stairs transformation too. Good job! x
Author
Thank you Carole, that means a lot! Definitely glad it’s all over….!
Stunning job Jen, you could ALMOST convert me to colour. Absolutely love the glass on the staircase, the dark walls and the metalic wallpaper.
The building work is a nightmare at the time, but its a bit like giving birth, all forgotten when its over (almost) xx
Author
Haha, really?! You know I said that to someone a few weeks ago, how much like childbirth it is. Husband is trying to convince me to do an extension next! We’ll see x
Wow what a transformation! Love how you’ve made it cosy with dark floorboards and sheepskin rugs x
Author
Thanks Cate, I love stepping out onto those sheepskins first thing in the morning. x
Wow! What an amazing job! The before and after images really show the incredible transformation. Really well done, you must be so happy it’s all done and the dust is gone 🙂
Author
Thanks so much Carole, the before and after shots are quite dramatic aren’t they. x
Love that picture window with it’s light coming through. Well done, I bet you’re glad there’s no more building dust everywhere. x
Author
Just the usual day to day dust now Geraldine, quite a relief! Thank you x
Wow such a transformation! What a huge job, congratulations on a successful completion!
Author
Thanks so much Hannah x
Well obviously the copper light is the best bit, Jen. Haha. Thank you for the mention. That’s lovely of you.
Well done for getting through it, always so hard to live with building works INSIDE your home. Esp when you work FROM home. But i’m sure you’re pleased you’ve done it now. What a fantastic space!
And relax…. xx
Ah Jen it looks amazing – what a relief to have it finally done! It really looks awesome x
Yay! Looks fab Jen – must be so nice to have it all done! I adore the dressing table area! A x
It’s absolutely gorgeous, you must be so pleased with it! Definitely looks like it was worth all of the waiting and planning and hard work to me.
Oh wow Jen it looks absolutely fantastic, you must be so pleased with it. It must have been stressful at times but I bet you are so glad you did it. We are in the midst of having a small extension added to our living room and that is driving me mad! x
Hi, I’ve just found your blog and I’ll be telling My mother to have a look too! She has an unconverted attic (which already has stairs), and your conversion looks great.
WOW! I’ve been so excited about seeing the full reveal – can’t believe I missed it. It certainly doesn’t disappoint and it looks truly amazing. Such a brilliant mix of style and function and the pieces you have chosen are perfect. Can I move in?! xx
Wow looks absolutely amazing Jen. Love the style, patterns and blue you have throughout. 🙂 You are always great with designs.
I can’t believe the change! It looks so damn good 🙂
I’m hoping that one day maybe we’ll do the same with our attic but we have a massive boiler up there and I’m not even sure we need it as we have two… haha.
amazing looking room! love the floor boards.
Hi Jen, Congratulations on this, the renovation looks incredible, it sounds like you had a hard time of it but glad to see it was all worth it the end. I’ve been thinking about converting the loft in our house as well, I see you went for fitted wardrobes, was that a space saving technique? Or was just a personal preference? If I move forward with the conversion I’m leaning towards fitted furniture to maximise space.
Author
Hi Daniel, thanks for your comment. Yes they were space saving and really the only place in the room where we could have decent storage. Because of the sloping ceiling we had to have them fitted. Ours were from Hammonds but there are lots of companies that do similar, or maybe your builder/joiner could make them as part of the renovation.
Nice post,
Your article is very helpful !!!
I hope I can always read your other articles
Thanks for information
Great to see the project throughout all the stages. Any tips for coping with the dust? The floor in the new attic bedroom looks fantastic, where is it from?
Author
Hi Jenny, thanks for your comment. We’ve been living in the room for about 4 months now and I sweep it every few days with a flat sweeper rather than a broom. The wooden floor is from B&Q 🙂
What a stunning room!! We inherited a loft conversion but it needs redesigning to make better use of the space, about 60% of which is currently wasted. I love everything you’ve chosen and that dark blue is incredible X
I am about to embark on the same project, turning our loft space into a master bedroom shower ensuite. We have a problem in that the stairs goes down into the second bedroom. Toying with losing the second bedroom and making it a mezannine play room or walk in wardrobe.
Thanks for the inspiration, looks gorgeous!!
Author
That sounds really interesting Niamh. I’m a great believer in there always being a solution – I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it work. Good luck! x
Hi Jen,
Your conversion looks stunning! Your house looks very similar to ours and is the first one that has given me a little bit more confidence about the size of space we could create in ours. Is your house approx 4 metres wide? We want to do the attic but I’m trying to visualise as best as I can. Did the architect help with this part?
Thanks Edward & Imogene…..
Author
Hi Edward, thanks for your comment, I think it’s really hard to visualise the empty space as a finished room isn’t it, and we had reservations about ours being big enough too. I think the house probably is about 4 metres wide. The hallway runs straight to the stairs with no passageway by the dining room which makes it narrower than others like it in our area. The architect was a great help. He’d done conversions in the area too of similar houses and was very confident it would be a good, usable space – and we went to see other loft conversions in our street that neighbours had done previously, that really helped in the planning. Good luck with yours, hope it goes really well!
Hello Jen
Can I ask where you live ?
As we live in Reading and we’re getting quoted a vastly different price than you paid
Author
Hi Iain, I’m in the East Midlands actually, that could account for the difference in quotes perhaps. Could also be the type of conversion and size as well I guess.
Hi Jen,
I found this blog extremely helpful and thanks for covering all the key aspects involved. I am going through exactly the same process and struggling getting builders to carry out tasks in time, with months of delays in between each stage.
Could you kindly let me know where you got the glass balustrades made and roughly how much it cost? Totally love them but I live in Kent and most companies charge an arm and a leg for them.
Thanks
Tina
Author
Hi Tina, I feel your pain! In terms of the glass balustrades etc I found a company local to me who made and fitted them. They weren’t cheap! I think roughly they were a few thousand. They were hard to fit too, and took a couple of goes to make them sturdy and secure. I hope you find someone….
Hi! I just found your blog. Thanks for sharing it with us.