IMO if you want help with your space show pics of your space. I ahve no idea how a reading nook where you can’t stand up is going to work , do you crawl in and out of the chair.

Photos, pretty please!

Agree with Patricia. Two of my bedrooms have lofts similar (?) to what you describe I guess, but they’re better suited for extra storage space if needed ( I store a few seasonal items there ).

I will take and post pictures later today!

Ok, I'm back with photos:

Here is a picture of the closet wall. The ladder to the loft is fixed. I greyed out the books on the bookcase for privacy. Also, the room is currently very cluttered. We are in the process of getting rid of a LOT of stuff. I am thinking of taking out this closet and building in a wardrobe wall instead. The ladder needs to stay or be replaced with some other sort of loft access - most likely a better looking ladder (stairs won't fit). I hate the bookshelves because they are just cluttered. But, perhaps we built nicer shelves and decorate them? Or do we just rip out the shelves?

This is the wall opposite. You can see how the loft hangs over part of the bed. The room isn't very big. The bed will go. The pictures are already gone. The linens will be replaced. Basically everything in this room is fair game to go/be replaced.

THAT fan has numbered days! It will be taken out. We are installing a minisplit in this room to address heating/cooling issues. We will add recessed lights in the loft but won't be adding another fan. Also, that railing will be replaced. It's ugly. Should we replace with another railing or half wall?

Another view of the room. There is a small dresser where I am standing. I've already taken down the Ikea curtains and rods and the room feels better. We will add roman shades instead of the drapes/blinds. The chair will go but not sure we'll replace it with a nicer looking chair. It currently just acts as a place to leave laundry. We never sit in it.

And lastly, here is the loft. I had a desk in here at once. You can't stand straight up but you can sit in a chair. When you stand up, you have to bend over. The loft is painted the same color as the previous pictures, this is the only p[picture I could find of it without stuffed with clutter. We plan to add low chairs and some bookcases along the walls. Will add a few recessed lights, and lamps. We're really not sure what else to use this space for. It's about 15 x 8 feet.

So, there you have it. I would really appreciate any advice/tips/directions for how to make this room into a beautiful, relaxing place!

I have a carpenter coming tomorrow to discuss the project, so would love ideas to have before he comes! Thank you in advance for your help!

Can the loft go away altogether?

Lizziesma, potentially. But...it adds square footage and we will probably still use it for some storage. We have a small house - all houses in our area are small (in the city) and "space" is desirable in our area. I do think we'd go up there and read - my kids too.

In other words, we have thought about taking it out but have decided to keep it and make the best of it.

You can comfortably sit in a chair up there. I used to use it as a sewing space with a desk and chair.

I like your loft and your plans for it BUT with the ladder to the loft in your bedroom would seem awkward to me. Is there any way you can close off the loft in your bedroom and put the ladder going up and railing to the loft in another room? Like opening up the end wall or something? If it must be like this, can you put the head of your bed the other way so that the foot of your bed can be seen when you stand looking down from the loft? I might be tempted to do away with the loft and make it attic storage again unless you can open it up from another room. Too bad to have a nice space go to waste though.

No, it's possible to move the bed as you describe - the door to the window and a bathroom are on the wall across from the windows. It's also not possible to access the loft from the other side - there would be no where to put the ladder on the other side (it's a hallway and utility closet, etc and the roof continues to slope down the further you go).

A contractor recommended building a library ladder that can be hung flush on the wall when not in use. What do you think about that idea?

GreenDesigns, that's an interesting idea that I hadn't thought to do. We don't really need a ton of storage to be honest. But, I'm not sure we'd actually use the loft for anything else. The ceilings in the room are only 8 feet high, does that affect your opinion on closing the loft? I'd still want to try and incorporate the dormer windows if we closed off the loft - the light in this room is incredible.