Top 10 Loft Conversion Ideas by a RIBA Chartered Practice

In this day and age, space is a valuable asset, and one which is often left to be desired when living in the capital. With the price per square meter of space ranging anywhere from £4000 to £20,000+, Dormer loft conversion has quickly risen in popularity to becoming the go-to extension type for homeowners and developers alike, giving you the opportunity to increase your home’s footprint by up to 30% and grant you a spectacular return on investment.

If you are a homeowner or developer looking to make the most out of one of the most cost effective ways of boosting your property’s value, look no further than a loft conversion. Unlike other types of home extensions, a loft conversion does not require additional foundation work, and is often constructed using timber studs, which together mean a relatively low-cost architectural project.

In addition to this, the UK government has recently relaxed permitted development rights, allowing homeowners to build a loft conversion without the need to obtain local planning authority consent beforehand. The end result? A low-cost, highly profitable project with amazing results.

Take a look at one London based, RIBA Chartered architectural practices Top 10 Ideas for your Loft Conversion below!

1. Boost the usable space with a rear dormer, hip-to-gable or mansard roof extension!

One of the difficulties when considering a loft conversion in London is that at present, there is more often than not too little head height to make the most of your new space.

A rear dormer extension is where a hipped roof is raised to create a ‘box-like’ structure to the rear, thus maximising the floor to ceiling height across 50% of the loft space such as the example shown below. A hip-to-gable loft conversion, on the other hand, involves removing the existing hipped roof and replacing it with a gable-end wall. This creates a more open and spacious feel, and it’s a good option if you want to add a master bedroom or en-suite bathroom, boosting the usable space. At the slightly more expensive end of the spectrum, a mansard loft conversion involves creating a new pitched roof at a shallower angle than the existing one. This allows for more headroom and floor space, and it’s a popular option for Victorian and Edwardian homes.

As mentioned above, a rear dormer extension to your loft conversion will maximise your return on investment, and comes with a much lower financial burden than other types of home extensions. Whether you are looking for a new master bedroom with en-suite and walk-in-wardrobe, or a new office space now that we are all working from home more often, a loft conversion will grant you an abundance of space to configure as you wish.

2. If money is tight, consider just a velux loft conversion without extending!

A Velux loft conversion involves installing large skylight windows in the roof, allowing natural light to flood into the space. This type of loft conversion is relatively quick and inexpensive, and it’s a good option if you don’t want to alter the exterior of your home.

Homes in the UK are often blessed with large attics, therefore you may not even need to extend your roof to create spectacular results – for example, a cosy snug or home office!

3. Add a juliette balcony without needing prior LPA consent!

A common misconception with regards to loft conversions is that permitted development rights limit you to a simple, ill-favored and bog-standard external appearance.

However, the reality is that whilst there are some limitations, one amazing opportunity stands out as a no-brainer!

This is of course that adding a juliette balcony as a part of your loft conversion does NOT require planning permission, giving you the chance to step out of bed in the morning and greet the world through your new balcony! Additional benefits are of course amazing natural lighting and ventilation into your new space, transforming a standard bedroom into something a little more special.

4. Use all available space with smart storage solutions!

One of the most important things to consider when creating your loft conversion is that all space should be utilised to maximise the space and return on your investment. A limiting factor of this can be the sloping ceiling, most often found at the front of your property as front dormers are usually frowned upon by the LPA.

In order to maximise the usable space, you should always consider smart storage solutions to use as much of the eaves space as possible, thus reducing the need for large, bulky furniture taking up all of the circulation space.

Some ways to do this are:

• Using the eaves space for fitted wardrobes;
• Situate a bath or w/c at the lowest point, as these don’t require full standing height;
• Run plumbing and other services through the eaves to hide them from view;
• Use the smallest space for eaves storage, for example for things you don’t often use like suitcases and christmas decorations!

5. Create a multi-purpose room!

A loft conversion is a great way to boost the available space within your home, but when creating up to 30% more space, it can be hard to decide what to put inside!

Whether you need a home office due to the work-from-home initiative post-pandemic, or you are looking for a cosy additional lounge space, a great way to make sure that you have a space for any scenario is to create a multi-purpose space that could be used as an office, a cosy additional living space, or double up as a guest bedroom for when it is needed.

In doing this, you have a flexible space to use however you need, and for prospective buyers, you can still market your property as having an additional bedroom, boosting the property value and guarantee that your investment will be worthwhile.

6. Lighten up your landing with a new roof light!

When designing your new loft conversion, it is vital that you consider how adding the additional floor and staircase will affect your first floor landing. We often find that through adding the new staircase, side windows sometimes need to be blocked up, which can significantly darken the space.

Our number 1 recommendation to solve this issue is incorporate a new skylight above the first floor – loft staircase – and be bold! Opt for the largest size possible, flooding the stairwell and landing with ample daylight and ensuring that this key circulation space that you use every day is not compromised.

7. Be dramatic! Aesthetics sell!

With loft conversions, the most valuable return on investment is usually the space gained. However, if you are prepared to go down the planning permission route with your local authority, a dramatic external appearance can even further boost the value of your property!

Prospective buyers always love something a little different to the ordinary extension, hence a good architect will always recommend you opt for something more than your typical loft conversion with dormer!

8. Create a luxurious master bedroom!

One of the most common, and most popular, uses for a loft conversion in the UK is to create a luxurious master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and a walk in wardrobe. Most properties in the UK have substantial space within the loft for all of the above, and this will not only give you a more private, cosy bedroom but also boost your properties value!

Depending on the size of your home, you may even be able to squeeze in a small home office also, significantly increasing the value of your property and creating that much-needed space within a family home.

9. Consider creating a rooftop terrace or outdoor deck!

Depending on the style of your home, you may even be able to add an outdoor space in conjunction with your loft conversion, however, it is important to consult an architect prior to doing so as this will require planning approval from your local council!

A roof terrace is a great way to gain some additional amenity space, especially within flats or areas where land is limited. If you are considering a loft conversion with a rear roof terrace, we highly recommend you speak to a local architect who understands the local planning policy to give you the best chance at planning approval!

10. Keep it open plan (if you can!)

When creating additional space in the loft, the ceiling heights can be a significant limitation on how the space can be used. 

If you are unsure of how best to lay out your converted space, we would recommend keeping it as open plan as possible. Why? If you fill your loft with walls, there will of course be less usable space. Not only this, but small spaces with low ceilings will inevitably create a significant sense of enclosure, causing it to feel even smaller than it really is.

Overall, there are many different loft conversion ideas to choose from in the UK, and the best option for you will strongly depend on your specific needs and circumstances. It is important to carefully consider all of the options and consult with a professional architect before making a decision, as they will do their best to guide you in the right direction to ensure that all of your requirements are met and you can move into your new home stress-free!