Loft conversion ideas to make the most of unused space

Author Lisa CooperHead of Product at Hunter DouglasUpdated 14/07/2026

A shaped window with white full height shutters fitted to the window

Converting your loft into an extra room is a great way to increase your square footage without the upheaval of an extension or house move. Larger projects can involve practical considerations like planning permission and structural work, but once the conversion is complete, the way you decorate and finish the room is what really brings it to life.

These characterful spaces often present some unique challenges when it comes to walls and windows, which is why thoughtful loft renovation and decoration can make all the difference.

Here, we’ve gathered some of our favourite loft conversion projects to see what lessons we can take from them.

White bedroom with tall narrow window dressed in pale wood venentian blind, closed and tilted open, bed with white bedding with ochre throw, small ficus in raffia basket, cream carpet, rug in shades of saffron, umbre and ochre in linear pattern.

1. Make the most of your space

Loft conversions can be tricky thanks to their unusual proportions, low ceilings and structural details. Often, making the best use of the available space means getting creative. For example, you might choose to add a false wall or cupboard to reclaim some storage and make use of the awkward gap right under the eaves.

Painting sloped ceilings and walls in the same shade will make the room feel bigger. This bright and airy bedroom uses warm white to bounce light round the small space. The use of natural woods on the shelf and Wooden blinds adds rustic charm, while the layered textiles make it relaxed and inviting.

"A made-to-measure product was crucial for me because I don’t have standard sized windows. But more than that, my advisor was on hand giving me so much valuable advice.”
Emma Fishman, Interiors stylist and writer

A charming twin bedroom with sage green botanical wallpaper covering the walls and sloped ceiling, white Venetian blind and pink and green coordinating bedding.

2. Don’t be afraid to use pattern

If you’re a pattern lover, you can absolutely wallpaper a loft bedroom conversion. The key is to embrace floor-to ceiling pattern and choose a small-scale design. That way, the joins around different angles will look seamless, not messy.

This whimsical twin room works because ditsy print and limited colour palette prevents it from looking too busy. The green chest of drawers turns the dormer window into a focal point, and the white faux wood blind suits the space perfectly.

Soft beige thermashade blackout top down bottom up pleated blinds in master bedroom

3. Create a cosy retreat

When you're deciding on your window dressing, you’ll need to consider the amount of light you get, just like you would with any other room. If your home is in a built-up area, privacy may also be an issue.

Top-down bottom-up blinds like this one take up minimum space and can be opened from the top or bottom to control glaring light and help you feel less overlooked. You can also choose thermal and blackout options.

A fresh, green-accented loft bathroom with white herringbone tiles and a green pleated blind fitted to a Velux roof window above the bath.

4. Make your skylight work for you

If you have a skylight, you’ll need a specially designed Skylight blind that fits the exact dimensions of the window and retracts neatly when opened. If your window is difficult to reach, you might want to upgrade to an electric or smart option. This is now available for Roller blinds in skylight windows.

This room is fitted with a Duette® honeycomb blind, which traps air between two layers to help the room stay warm in winter and cool in summer.

It’s also worth noting the use of the green accent colour, which ties the room together and makes the window feel bigger.

A bright, all-white loft bedroom with white shutters on angled apex windows, a rattan chair and a rope pendant light.

5. Make a feature of shaped windows

Have you thought about using shutters? As well as looking beautiful inside and out, they’re a surprisingly practical choice for shaped and apex windows. We can make them to fit almost any window and there are even water-resistant options for kitchens and bathrooms.

Here, the white shutters, rope pendant light and round mirror give the room a fresh, coastal holiday feel.

“One of the perks of living in a 1960s house is that they have really big windows. We are lucky enough to have a lot of greenery outside the front of our house. I knew that shutters would be the perfect way to frame the view when we fully opened them.”
Isatu Chadborn, Interiors content creator

Two single beds with knitted blankets and striped pillows sit on either side of a box labeled "KENYA TEA" under a window in a cozy, attic-style room.

Our top décor tips for loft conversions:

Paint walls and sloped ceilings in the same shade to make your loft conversion feel bigger and more cohesive
Wallpaper can have a cosy, cocooning effect in a loft bedroom conversion. Take it wall to ceiling for a seamless finish.
The awkward sizes and angles in loft spaces mean made to measure is often the way forward for window dressings.
Think about privacy as well as light. Pleated blinds that open from the top or bottom give you both.
Skylights need specially designed blinds. Consider an electric or smart option if the window is hard to reach.
Embrace tricky angles rather than fighting them. Shutters and Honeycomb blinds work well in shaped windows.

Your new favourite room

Hopefully our loft conversion ideas have given you some practical tips and creative inspiration for your new space. While it may not be the most straightforward project, embrace its quirks and it could become your favourite room in the house.

There's so much more to see...

Bedroom window ideas
Explore inspiration for your bedroom
Read more
Hillarys x House Beautiful
Pleated blinds to transform your space
Discover more
Victorian revival
10 ways to embrace the Victorian interiors trend
Find out more