Attic in the house, residential and non-residential, modern interior

A home’s attic area frequently has unrealized potential. The attic can greatly improve the usability and value of your house, whether you plan to turn it into a comfortable living space or simply use it as storage. Depending on your needs and creativity, this adaptable space can be anything from a peaceful haven to a useful utility area.

Renovating a residential attic could be the ideal project for anyone who has been dreaming of having an extra bedroom, home office, or even space for play. A little work and thoughtful design can transform an unused area of your house into a chic and cozy area. Consider installing windows to let in natural light, selecting contemporary, space-saving furniture, and properly insulating for comfort.

You can still design a contemporary, well-organized space in your attic even if you choose to keep it non-residential. Well-designed shelving, adequate lighting, and appropriate ventilation can transform it into a top-notch storage space. Your attic can be a tidy and convenient location for all the stuff you need to store safely but don’t use on a daily basis with a little forward planning.

Modernizing your attic can revitalize your house, whether it’s residential or not. This often-overlooked space can become one of your favorite rooms in the house with careful design and useful solutions. Explore this guide to learn how to utilize your attic to its full potential for whatever purpose you decide on.

What is an attic in a house – definition

An attic is a space that may or may not be appropriate for human habitation based on its layout and features. The roof windows and sloping ceiling are two of its defining characteristics.

A residential attic is the part of the house that is located between the roof and the upper floor, provided that the room is suitable for human habitation. The same part of the house is defined as non-residential when the premises located in it cannot be adapted for residential purposes. In an attic that is unsuitable for living, a ventilation space is usually left or an attic is built. It should be noted that the space adapted for living is not only internal living spaces (bedrooms, living rooms, etc.).d.), as well as auxiliary rooms (for example, for hygiene and sanitation, as well as for storing clothing and food), utility and technical rooms.

The structure of the roof is important. All structures and components that must be placed in the attic must be supported by the supporting structure. To make sure the space is fit for long-term use, the walls and roof need to be heated, aired, and insulated.

What is an attic in a house?

A gallery of images illustrating various styles of residential attic arrangement and design for a home can be found below.

A top-floor apartment may be a warm, welcoming space for families with tasteful décor. How can an attic space be well-arranged to be both elegant and modern while still being functional and practical? It’s all up to your creativity and the attic’s volume. The benefits and drawbacks of a residential attic are listed below, along with ideas for furnishing and decorating it.

Residential and non-residential attic – what is the difference?

But naming something doesn’t stop at the above-mentioned requirements. In addition, the following are crucial prerequisites:

-a residential attic’s ceiling design must support additional weight from room furnishings, partitions, and equipment;

The supporting structure of the roof above the attic must be strong enough to support the additional weight of insulation and insulation. In addition, the residential attic must be separated from flammable roof materials by a partition with a sufficiently high fire resistance class. All premises must have proper insulation, heating and ventilation, as well as the necessary communications. It is also necessary to ensure the flow of natural light into the living quarters; windows of the appropriate size should be installed in the rooms (preferably at least 1/8 of the floor area). It is also important to pay attention to the stairs – it should not be foldable, comfortable, preferably with one flight, not steep and safe.

Whether it is used for storage or living, adding an attic to your house is a great way to combine modern interior design with functionality. Your home’s potential can be increased by converting an attic to create a useful storage space or a comfortable, fashionable retreat. The aesthetic appeal and overall value of your home can be increased by converting an attic into a light and airy space that is well-planned, properly insulated, and creatively designed. Your attic can become a useful and beautiful addition to your house with the help of contemporary interior design techniques, regardless of your plans for it—a new office, bedroom, or just more space for storage.

Modern attic interior

Modern, practical, and comfortable loft apartments are possible. The right finishing and furniture choice will determine how ergonomic and roomy the space will be. How comfortable the attic will be and what design options we can afford are primarily determined by the height of the side wall (rack).

It’s also crucial to know the location of the attic stairs. The central staircase in the attic will pose a significant challenge to creating a cozy and appealing interior decoration.

In attic spaces, bevels are not a flaw; in fact, they frequently enhance their charm. The living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom can all be arranged in an unusual way here. When the right furniture and décor are chosen, the attic’s great potential is realized.

White walls and light-colored wood work great in the attic. Light color schemes will contribute to the room’s optical enlargement. The interior will appear spacious, light, and clean. A mirror can be used as a design element to visually expand the area.

Attic bedroom

The layout of the attic room, which will serve as a bedroom, should take advantage of the area beneath the slopes. There are two methods.

1. Putting the bed at an angle is the first of these. Since you will need to bend over in order to stand up, this solution may not be suitable for everyone.

2. Another option is to place wardrobes or bedside tables beneath the bevels. Since the bevels can vary in height, making furniture to order is the most straightforward way to put this into practice.

A bed under a slope needs to be at least 75–80 cm tall to be comfortable. It is advised to position furniture so that it is between 90 and 95 centimeters high on the small wall. This will guarantee user comfort.

The highest walls should house large furniture pieces that occupy the majority of the room and cannot be fully removed.

Bathroom in the attic

The issue might also come up with bathroom organization. Beneath the slopes are spaces for a bathtub, toilet, and bidet. Another option is to store cleaning and cosmetic supplies in a tiny cabinet beneath the bevels.

It is advised to place bathrooms with walls between 80 and 90 cm high, but not lower than 75 cm. It is advised that the height of the toilet and bidet be at least 90–100 cm at the installation site.

Living room and kitchen in the attic

The living room and kitchen can be connected from the attic. It is undesirable because their space is limited by the partitions used to separate them. Furniture will vary based on how high a small wall is. As an illustration:

-Only tiny cabinets and cabinets can be placed beneath a wall that is between 70 and 80 centimeters high;

-Kitchen cabinets and countertops can be placed beneath a wall that is 90 to 110 cm high; however, a few more centimeters are required to install the range hood over the stove.

A wall height of at least 110 cm is required to fit a desk or table beneath a bevel.

Accessories and additions

Decorative elements are necessary to maintain the attic’s atmosphere and distinct aesthetic climate, and they can serve multiple practical purposes. Wooden chests or boxes, which can be used as functional furniture for storing clothes or other items, as well as decorative pieces for the interior, can be placed beneath the bevels. Little poufs and soft bean bags would be a practical solution, allowing you to unwind while sitting or lying beneath the slopes.

It is impossible to overdo big, heavy furniture in attic rooms because of their uniqueness and character. Here, low sofas and chairs for sitting work best, as do lightweight structures.

The attic’s interior layout and design must be done with creativity and aesthetic sensibility to preserve the room’s special qualities and charm, which are not found in other kinds of spaces.

Height of rooms in the attic

The height of the ceiling is also crucial for comfortable living. The average height of living areas should be 2.2 meters. However, this height can be 1.9 m if these rooms—such as a bathroom, dressing room, laundry room, or storage room—are not heavily used, meaning that people will only spend up to four hours a day in them. Less than 190 centimeters in height is a low room, but it can be used for low furniture or storage.

Convenience-wise, the room’s height from the floor to these structural elements—which includes the height of the floor covering layers—should not be less than 220 cm if the attic has visible roof rafters.

The distance between the walls that the roof’s edges rest as well as the positioning of other structural elements like load-bearing columns, risers, and chimneys can also be a hindrance to the attic’s sensible use.

The minimum height and width of the surfaces determine the attic’s comfort level, for instance:

-a bedroom should have a minimum width of 220 cm for one person;

-a kitchen’s minimum width is 180 cm;

-the corridor’s width ought to be at least ninety centimeters.

Floor covering and ceiling load

The weight of new walls, furniture, and appliances, as well as the increased load on the lower level’s interfloor floors due to the new floor layer, must all be considered when planning renovations. If the floor is made of wood, you might need to reinforce it by adding more supports or beams in place of the old ones. Although reinforced concrete floors are typically strong enough to support additional loads, the designer should always evaluate the load on the ceiling.

Warming and insulation

Additionally, the following locations need to be closely inspected for leaks or potential leaks:

It might be necessary to replace a portion of the outdated roof or some of its components. In addition, you should assess the wooden structure for wood destruction when repairing an old roof and treat it with specific construction chemicals that shield the wood from fire and microbes.

In certain instances, the roof may require additional insulation and the installation of a moisture-proofing material beneath the current insulation, which is frequently lacking in older buildings. The attic area is cold in the winter and hot in the summer, and it is bigger than the main rooms. Carefully insulate the walls and roof, if needed, to attain the necessary heat transfer coefficient.

-the coefficient of heat transfer through the roof should not exceed 0.25 W/(m2K);

-in thermally insulated buildings, this coefficient must not go above 0.20 W/(m2K);

-in structures constructed with energy-efficient technologies: 0.15 W/(m2K).

You must take the material’s weight into account when selecting an insulating material. The strength of the rafters and the amount of load that the insulating material can withstand must be assessed by the designer. One or two layers of insulation can be applied. It is possible to install insulation above or in between the rafters. Visible structural components can also be incorporated into the interior design. Sadly, we must remove the old roof in order to install insulation over the rafters.

One layer of insulation is placed between the rafters and another is placed underneath them to create double-layer insulation. By doing this, we get rid of any thermal bridges that develop on the rafters. The thickness of the insulation layer is usually adjusted to be at least 20 cm depending on the climate zone; two-layer insulation is most commonly used. The rafters are typically 14–16 cm high, and there isn’t enough room for all the insulation in this area.

It is crucial that the insulation presses firmly against the rafters because we secure them by putting them firmly into the spans when installing insulation between them. It is possible to add more insulation underneath the rafters.

Make sure that insulation is installed carefully in areas that are especially prone to heat leakage, such as the chimney, the areas where windows and window sills are insulated, and the joints between the roof and racks (side walls). In addition to needing insulation, studs are frequently thinner and less insulated than lower walls.

The following materials can be utilized to insulate a roof:

-glass wool and mineral wool;

Extruded polystyrene and polystyrene;

Polyurethane foam PIR;

Film for thermal insulation;

Slabs of magnesite.

The roof of a non-residential attic usually consists of tiles on sheathing or metal sheets on boards, with the insulation typically located in the ceiling. A layer of protective insulation must be added to such a roof to shield it from melting snow and torrential rain. Additionally serving as acoustic insulation, the roof’s insulation layer muffles the sounds of hail and rain. Ceramic tiles have a 100-year service life, while sheet metal has a 50-year service life.

Type Description
Residential Attic An attic converted into a living space, typically used for bedrooms, offices, or playrooms. Often features skylights and modern insulation to make it comfortable year-round.
Non-Residential Attic An attic used for storage or other non-living purposes. Usually has minimal insulation and no special finishes. It may contain HVAC systems or other utilities.
Modern Interior Includes contemporary design elements like open floor plans, natural light, and energy-efficient materials. Often incorporates sleek furniture, minimalist decor, and smart home technologies.

The attic has enormous potential to improve a home’s overall value and functionality, regardless of whether it is converted into a living space or left as a non-residential area. Attics now have more options than ever thanks to contemporary design trends, which have also made them more fashionable and adaptable.

There are lots of design options to think about when building a residential attic. The attic can serve as a peaceful haven away from the commotion of the main living areas, with uses ranging from playrooms and guest suites to comfortable bedrooms and home offices. Using built-in storage options and adding skylights to let in natural light will help you make the most of the space and create an air of openness and welcome.

Attics that are not used as homes can still be made into useful areas. When done correctly, an attic can become a well-organized place to store goods, with seasonal and infrequently used items being tucked away. Maintaining the attic’s condition and making sure it continues to be a useful part of the house depend on proper insulation and ventilation.

Attic interior design of the modern era frequently emphasizes utility and simplicity. Popular choices include multipurpose furniture, neutral color schemes, and clean lines. These components maximize the available space while fostering a calm atmosphere. Whether you go for a more eclectic or minimalist look, the attic can add a special touch to your house.

In the end, a house’s attic has a unique place in its architecture. It can become a fun and functional space that serves the needs of the family with careful planning and imaginative design. The options are endless, whether you’re thinking about doing a complete conversion or just trying to maximize the amount of storage in your attic.

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Timur Kiselev

Professional builder with 15 years of experience. I know everything about the construction of houses, cottages, bathhouses and other buildings. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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