Home Improvement: Maximise the space

Double up
If you need a lot of storage space and rely on the room in your attic, one option worth considering is dividing your loft into two rooms. The main room can be the extra bedroom or study as planned while the second room would become a practical and accessible storage space. As well as gaining an extra room by converting the attic, you would gain a storage area which you could access via a door rather than via a ladder and hatch.

In many homes, the attic is a wasted, unused and somewhat undervalued space which is why a loft conversion can be extremely beneficial. Instead of housing Christmas decorations, old clothes and disused toys, the space could become an additional bedroom, home office or hobby room. As appealing a prospect as this is however, it does raise one concern; where can you store your attic treasures?
Maximise the space
A room created in the loft space will always be unconventional in shape and slanted ceilings mean that there will be some areas of the room that are less accessible. This low space under the eaves is the perfect place to build in some storage such as shelving, cupboards or cabinets as the area would not otherwise be used. Apart from giving you extra space to put things in, a cabinet built in this space would not encroach on the room as a free standing unit would. Using this space effectively minimises the need for other furniture pieces in the room making the room feel larger and less cluttered.
Under the stairs
There are many different options when it comes to building a staircase up into a loft conversion and some styles will offer you more storage space. A boxed in staircase can incorporate a cupboard into the space under the stairs which is accessible via a door. The triangular space under a straight staircase can similarly be used for storage even if the area is not boxed in because a cabinet, shelving, shoe rack or other unit can be comfortably accommodated. Unfortunately, this is not an option for those with limited space who might have to opt for a narrow staircase such as a spiral staircase.
Above the conversion
Depending on your house, there may well still be space directly under the roof once the loft conversion is complete. As with the previous attic, there will be a hatch into this area where things can be stored. Admittedly, this space will be less accessible than a conventional cupboard but it is perfect for items that you use less frequently such as seasonal decorations.
Landing storage
Lastly, in many houses, it is possible to create a fairly roomy landing space around the top of the stairs. A popular design is to have a long corridor with a gallery overlooking the floor below and if there is space along this corridor, it can be a good place to house a chest of drawers or bookcase.
Overall, a loft conversion offers many more benefits than disadvantages. It is much cheaper than an extension, offers additional living space and increases the value of your property. Although losing storage space can be an inconvenience, there are many ways to get around it, some of which can be incorporated into the conversion design. If the above solutions are not practical for your home or you need more alternatives, more storage can always be incorporated around your home with a little creativity. Under bed storage, built in wardrobes and shelving are a just a few simple ideas that can help you to make use of empty spaces.