Attic Ideas

Exposed brick walls and an original fireplace provide a backdrop for an airy, third-floor bedroom and its eclectic furnishings.

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The third level now includes two bedrooms and baths, as well as this small office, carved out of what was once a small bedroom at the top of the stairs. Vasil and Peribere left the brick walls and the framing exposed as a reminder of the home’s structure.

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. Try a bath-in-bedroom setup. Fitting an extra bathroom into a slice of a bedroom is a great idea, and a lot of square footage isn’t needed for it to work effectively. This converted loft space includes a full-length bath that sits directly under a skylight, so someone can lie back and soak away any stresses and strains while staring into the sky.

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Be smart about fixtures. With small bathrooms you need to use every trick in the design book to cram in everything you want. In this room with a sloping ceiling, a 3-foot by 5-foot, 2-inch glass-screened shower has been fitted at the highest end, while a plunge-pool-style tub is tucked nicely under the lower end and provides the opportunity to add a stylish panel of mosaics. A built-in vanity unit, meanwhile, offers sleek storage.

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Work around awkward architecture. This looks like a troublesome space to work with, but the narrow dimensions and sloping roof have been skillfully harnessed to create a stylish bathroom. The mammoth roof window brings in masses of natural light (which is doubled by the mirror wall), while the nearly invisible glass shelves and wall-hung basins help to streamline and declutter.

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Finish with a soothing color. Don’t be afraid to use color in a small bathroom. This duck egg blue used on the ceiling, walls and paneling lengthens the room by drawing the eye out through the windows. And isn’t it the most restful of shades to boot?

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What if we lofted part of the attic onto the master bedroom?

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If bold color under oot is not your thing, then go for texture. A textured rug can add just as much dimension to a room as a bold color can. Notice that a similar texture to this rug is repeated on the ceiling.

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