Complete Your Attic
The majority of attics are just used for storage, but finishing the attic is necessary if you want to maximize its potential.
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“You should budget roughly $200 per square foot to finish an attic and turn it into a usable living space,” advises Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi, a home services provider. “The average cost paid by homeowners to finish their attic ranges from $4,600 to $16,400, according to data from Angi.” The total square footage of the attic, as well as labor, materials, and other factors, will all affect the final cost.
Chris Sebilia, the director of construction at Item 5, a construction and development firm that works in Texas and Colorado, emphasizes the importance of surveying the area before beginning any work. “The attic floor framing, walls, roof framing, foundation, and overall structure must be guaranteed to safely support the intended use and any additional features or equipment without problems such as sagging, leaks, or damage,” Sebilia states.
According to Sebilia, there are a few things to think about when remodeling your attic.
Putting it together. The floor structure of your attic, including the beams, trusses, and joists, needs to be appropriately sized and strong enough to support the room’s intended use. If not, the weight of large equipment may cause your attic to bow, split, or collapse. Sebilia advises against adding larger loads until after an engineer has inspected the framing.
walls that support. Proper support is necessary for walls, particularly those that bear weight. According to Sebilia, “to ensure stability, new attic walls should be structurally attached to the attic floor frame and roof framing.” “Existing attic walls that have been scraped or modified may lose some of their structural integrity and need additional support.”
appropriate insulation. Insulation shields the attic from harsh weather conditions and ensures a comfortable living space by preventing heat and cold from passing through walls and floors. Sebilia adds that doing this can lower your energy costs and HVAC usage.
prevention of water and moisture damage. Leaks and spills are common in attics, which can lead to the growth of mold, rot, and structural damage. For floors, walls, cabinets, and benches, Sebilia advises using vapor barriers, flashing tape, sealants, and other water-resistant materials. Regularly check for water leaks.
Emergency exit. There must be a minimum of one properly installed, conveniently located escape hatch or window in your attic.
Safety when heating and cooling. Sebilia suggests selecting HVAC units that are appropriately sized and installed in accordance with manufacturer guidelines if you’re adding them to the attic.
safety from fire. Installing smoke detectors is a must. If the attic will be used as a living or recreational space on a regular basis, Sebilia recommends installing a fire sprinkler for additional protection.
adherence to the code. Sebilia suggests making sure that any attic remodeling work conforms with all local building codes for structural requirements, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, occupancy, and safety. Micetich also pointed out that the majority of building codes mandate that an attic have a minimum floor area of 70 square feet and a minimum height of 7 feet.
The extent to which homeowners will appreciate and profit from their new attic will depend directly on the caliber of the work. “Use the premium, long-lasting materials that are specified, and pay close attention to the workmanship and installation details.” In order to create multifunctional attic spaces that optimize value and enjoyment, Sebilia says that vision and creativity are also encouraged.
Incorporate More Storage
It’s not necessary to limit your storage options in order to create a functional attic. “If your attic has awkward space for storage or slanted ceilings, think about making custom built-ins or storage,” advises Teri Simone, head of design and marketing at Nieu Cabinet Doors, a pioneer in the do-it-yourself kitchen refacing industry.
She also advises converting this space from a dingy storage area to a comfortable nook. “You can still utilize all that storage space by building storage with custom built-ins and cabinet doors, but you can also give yourself a spot for a coffee station, bookshelves, or even an extra TV (or) lounge area,” says Simone.
Simone suggests purchasing inexpensive storage solutions at IKEA. IKEA offers a large selection of interior organizers and cabinets in all sizes. This lets you choose cabinets that complement your design while also finding ones that fit your space.
Apply Paint to the Ceiling
The ceilings in attics are usually very interesting, with slopes and angles. Make the most of the eclectic qualities by highlighting them, advises Jessica Harris, manager of production design and interior designer at Living Spaces, a furniture and accessory store. Harris suggests painting the ceiling a striking, dark hue that draws the attention upward and accentuates the space’s details in order to achieve this.
When doing this, you have the chance to really let your creativity run wild. Take into consideration a more distinctive texture like tile, concrete, wood paneling, or even a playful wallpaper. This will give your room an artistic feel and a unique touch, says Harris.
Exhibit the Floor
Show as much of the floor as you can, advises Harris, to help open up the space. There appears to be more floor space overall when there is a greater amount of floor visible. This contributes to the airy feeling and will increase the visual surface, the speaker says.
Select floating shelves over standing ones when choosing furnishings and décor. According to Harris, this will make the floor appear as much as possible.
Lighting
Lighting isn’t typically associated with attics. However, Harris claims that installing a skylight is one way to enhance natural lighting. Because the skylight is so close to the roof, installing one in your attic is simple. She says, “This is the ideal way to let light into the room without giving up privacy.”
She also suggests adorning the sloping wall with a specially made mirror. This can help the attic feel larger by reflecting light throughout the space. To add more lighting options and add some brightness to the space, think about using pendant lights, rope lights, and recessed lighting.
Improve the Room’s Feel and Look
Artem Kropovinsky, an interior designer and the founder of the New York City-based interior design studio Arsight, suggests homeowners consider their desired room’s appearance and atmosphere before converting their attic into a useful space.
Improve the look and feel of your attic’s walls and flooring by using materials like tile, hardwood, laminate, paint, wallpaper, wood paneling, and drywall. Choose materials that complement your design and the way you want to utilize your attic, advises Kropovinsky. “And lastly, furnish and decorate your attic according to your preferences and needs.”
Consider It a Useful Area
Increase the size of your home’s living area by making use of the additional space. You can create almost any kind of room or something special out of the attic.
Kropovinsky advises, “Consider using it as a productive home office with a desk and computer, or as a cozy bedroom with a comfortable bed and soft bedding.” “Alternatively, use it as a hobby room equipped with tools for your preferred hobbies or as a playroom with games and toys.”