The attic is often an overlooked space in many homes. With some creativity and effort, this unused area can be transformed into a gorgeous bedroom retreat. From cozy reading nooks to spacious master suites, attics make for charming sleeping quarters. Keep reading for 35 cool attic bedroom ideas to inspire your own attic renovation.
Take Advantage of Sloping Walls and Ceilings
One of the defining features of an attic is its unusual angles and slopes. Rather than trying to mask these details, embrace them! Angled walls and ceilings give the space character and can look intentional when decorated properly.
1. Incorporate Architectural Beams
Exposed beams and rafters instantly add visual interest to an attic bedroom. Whitewash the wood to maintain a bright and airy feel. Accent with pendant lighting above the bed.
Pro Tip: For a more rustic look, leave the beams in their natural state and apply a clear sealant to protect the wood while showcasing its natural grain.
2. Paint Slopes Different Colors
Define specific zones like sleeping and lounging areas through creative colour-blocking. Use accent walls on the sloping surfaces for a bold, modern look.
Pro Tip: Consider using ombre or gradient effects on sloped walls to create a sense of depth and visual interest.
3. Add Skylights and Dormer Windows
Attic renovations present the perfect opportunity to add skylights and dormer windows. This floods the space with natural light and gives occupants beautiful views of the sky and treetops. Opt for electronic skylights to control light filtering.
Pro Tip: Install solar-powered blinds for your skylights to easily control light and temperature throughout the day.
Make Room for Plenty of Seating
Since attics have so much unusable square footage around the edges, get creative with comfy seating options. Built-in window benches, cushioned nooks, chaise lounges, and loveseats help maximize relaxed gathering spaces.
4. Incorporate Banquette Seating
Tucked-away banquettes make cozy places to curl up with a book. Nestle them under the eaves or in the dormers. Outfit with plush cushions and throw pillows.
Pro Tip: Add hidden storage underneath banquette seating for extra blankets, pillows, or seasonal items.
5. Add a Window Seat or Bench
There may be smaller nooks that can accommodate a narrow window seat or bench. These spots encourage relaxation with a beautiful view.
Pro Tip: Install adjustable reading lights above window seats to create the perfect spot for late-night reading sessions.
6. Use Freestanding Chaise Lounges
Chaise lounges easily adapt to the unique proportions of attic bedrooms. Their reclined silhouette and wheeled feet let you move them around to catch the best light.
Pro Tip: Look for chaise lounges with built-in side tables or storage compartments to maximize functionality in small spaces.
Embrace the Small Square Footage
Attic bedrooms tend to be much smaller than regular bedrooms on the lower levels. Constraints in size encourage getting creative with layouts and furniture arrangements. Take notes from tiny homes and micro-apartment dwellers who live big in compact spaces.
7. Install a Murphy Bed
Since most of the day will be spent elsewhere, a Murphy bed or wall bed is ideal. These fold away neatly when not in use, freeing up valuable real estate. Customize with built-ins for ultimate space efficiency.
Pro Tip: Choose a Murphy bed with a built-in desk or shelving unit to create a multifunctional space that serves as both a bedroom and a home office.
8. Use Sectional Seating
Compact sectionals squeeze more seating into the room than traditional sofas. Look for compact styles with chaise extensions and hidden storage. Top with throws and pillows for added coziness.
Pro Tip: Opt for modular sectionals that can be rearranged to accommodate different needs or room layouts.
9. Incorporate Multi-Purpose Furniture
Furniture that pulls double or triple duty helps attain that simple, uncluttered look. Side tables with pop-up surfaces, storage ottomans, trunks, and nesting tables prevent surfaces from getting too crowded.
Pro Tip: Look for coffee tables with lift-top mechanisms that can serve as a dining surface or workspace when needed.
Take Special Lighting into Consideration
The unusual proportions of attics call for creative lighting solutions. Read on for special considerations when illuminating your attic sanctuary.
10. Install Adjustable Track Lighting
Hardwired track systems allow you to illuminate only where needed within the space. Point individual fixtures wherever desired along the tracks. Dimmer controls add further customizability.
Pro Tip: Use warm-toned LED bulbs in your track lighting to create a cozy ambience while saving energy.
11. Use Plug-In Pendants
Wireless, plug-in pendant lamps afford stylish overhead illumination that’s fully adjustable. Their cord-and-plug design means no wiring is necessary—cluster multiples to amp up the ambience.
Pro Tip: Choose pendants with fabric-covered cords in complementary colours to add a decorative element to your space.
12. Incorporate Wall Sconces
Bracketed wall sconces shed an uplighting glow along sloped walls. Opt for adjustable shade angles to direct illumination exactly where needed.
Pro Tip: Install sconces on dimmer switches to easily adjust the mood and brightness of your attic bedroom.
13. Add Table and Floor Lamps
Supplement overhead lighting with convenient table and floor lamps. Their portability means you can reposition them anytime. Go for directional shades to splash light across the ceiling.
Pro Tip: Look for lamps with built-in USB ports or wireless charging capabilities to keep your devices powered up without cluttering your space with extra cords.
Outfit with Attic-Appropriate Furniture
It’s important to choose furniture scaled to match your attic bedroom’s proportions. Oversized pieces will quickly overwhelm while undersized items will look silly. Seek out compact, multi-functional, and convertible furnishings tailored to making the most of cramped confines.
14. Choose Appropriately Scaled Beds
Measure carefully before selecting beds. Low-profile platform frames and bunks are great space-saving options that work well in attics. Built-in beds seamlessly integrate with the architecture.
Pro Tip: Consider a loft bed with a desk or seating area underneath to maximize vertical space in your attic bedroom.
15. Incorporate Convertible Furniture
Convertible furniture adapts to changing needs. For example, sofa beds do double duty as seating and spare beds for overnight guests. Nesting tables collapse or store inside each other when not in use.
Pro Tip: Look for ottomans that convert into single beds for occasional guest accommodations without sacrificing daily living space.
16. Opt for Wall-Mounted Desks
Maximize precious square footage with wall-mounted drop-leaf or floating desks. Fold them up against the wall when not working to open up floor space below.
Pro Tip: Install a pegboard above your wall-mounted desk to create a flexible storage system for office supplies and decor.
17. Use Woven Seating
The open lattice design of woven chairs and stools prevents bulky visual weight. Their lightweight, transparent silhouette lets you see through them, making rooms appear more spacious.
Pro Tip: Choose woven seating made from natural materials like rattan or bamboo to add texture and bohemian touch to your attic bedroom.
Embrace the Unusual Architecture
One of the best aspects of attic bedrooms is their architectural uniqueness. Rather than masking this charming characteristic, spotlight it through creative decor.
18. Add Peaked Canopy Beds
The canopy bed’s overhead structure handsomely echoes a peaked roofline. Frame the bed with architectural beams or exaggerated crown moulding for added symmetry. Choose breezy, lightweight fabrics for the draped canopy.
Pro Tip: Use sheer, lightweight curtains for your canopy to maintain an airy feel while still providing a sense of enclosure and privacy.
19. Incorporate Sloped Ceiling Mirrors
Take some cues from decorative mirrors designed for stairwells and foyers. Their tapered silhouette seamlessly overlays the existing architecture, almost acting like framed skylights. Position them across from windows to reflect beautiful views and amplify natural light.
Pro Tip: Use adhesive mirror tiles to create a custom-shaped mirror that follows the unique contours of your attic ceiling.
20. Whitewash the Beams and Boards
For a beachy, relaxed vibe, apply whitewash or lime wash to the existing wood beams and boards. This brightens up dark eaves and rafters for an airier feel. Accentuate architectural details like ceiling joists and cross-braces with this technique.
Pro Tip: For a more subtle effect, try a “pickled” finish that allows some of the wood grain to show through the whitewash.
21. Add Faux Architectural Beams
Lend a farmhouse charm through faux wood beams made from inexpensive lumber and plaster. Prime and paint for a polished look. Or, embrace their raw reclaimed aesthetic to match existing rafters.
Pro Tip: Use hollow faux beams to conceal wiring or plumbing, adding both style and functionality to your attic bedroom.
Maximize Storage Solutions
Attic bedrooms typically suffer from a lack of closets and dedicated storage space. Utilize creative solutions to tuck away clothing, bedding, and accessories.
22. Use Storage Beds and Headboards
Beds with built-in storage hide items right within the frame. Lift the mattress to reveal hidden compartments inside the base. Headboards with shelves keep books and personal items nearby.
Pro Tip: Choose a bed with hydraulic lift mechanisms for easy access to under-bed storage without straining your back.
23. Install Closet Rods
Take advantage of awkward narrow wall spaces with closet rod installations. Mount adjustable rods across the studs for makeshift clothing storage. Curtain off with decorative screens or drapes.
Pro Tip: Use tension rods for a damage-free solution that’s perfect for renters or temporary setups.
24. Add Freestanding Armoires
Freestanding armoires pack tons of storage volume into a compact floor plan footprint. Conceal them behind curtains or doors to hide clutter. Seek out dual-purpose designs with a Murphy bed inside.
Pro Tip: Paint your armoire the same colour as your walls to help it blend in and create a seamless look in your attic bedroom.
25. Use Woven Baskets and Bins
In lieu of closets and dressers, neatly corral clothing, shoes, accessories, and linens inside storage baskets, bins, and trunks. These look chic and boho-styled atop a rug or lining the eaves.
Pro Tip: Label your baskets and bins with cute tags or chalkboard labels to keep your belongings organized and easily accessible.
Embrace Quirky Decor and Accessories
Attic abodes seem to call for playful, spirited accents that enhance their whimsical vibe. Have fun decorating this unique retreat with conversation-starting accessories.
26. Display Your Collections
Showcase prized memorabilia, collections, and travel mementos gained over a lifetime. Group curio cabinets, shelving, ledges, and tabletop frames creatively to exhibit these personal pieces. This transforms the attic into a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
Pro Tip: Create a gallery wall on a sloped ceiling using lightweight frames and removable adhesive strips for a unique and personalized display.
27. Add Bold Graphic Artwork
Because the architecture itself dominates, choose bold, graphic prints that hold their own on the walls. Black and white schemes pop nicely against neutral attic backgrounds. Go super-sized with canvases stretching edge-to-edge.
Pro Tip: Use removable wallpaper or large-scale decals to add bold graphic elements without committing to permanent changes.
28. Incorporate Meaningful Found Objects
Sentimental antiques, hand-crafted items, and travel treasures personalize attic rooms with heart and soul. Style vignettes on tabletops, shelves, and ledges featuring special keepsakes that relay stories.
Pro Tip: Create a “memory corner” with a bulletin board or magnetic wall to display photos, tickets, and small mementos from your travels and experiences.
29. Display Houseplants and Terrariums
The indoor garden trend looks right at home against attic angles and under skylights. Greenery literally helps you rise above and escape inside this uber-private sanctuary. Macrame plant hangers prevent overcrowding tabletops and sills.
Pro Tip: Choose low-maintenance plants like succulents, air plants, or snake plants that thrive in the varying light conditions of an attic space.
Consider Special Finishes and Paint Techniques
Attic bedrooms allow some leniency for using imaginative finishes and techniques you may not dare attempt elsewhere. Think outside the box with daring colour schemes and textural accents.
30. Add Architectural Wainscoting
Defined vertical panelling lends structured elegance against angled ceilings. Paint panels and trim in contrasting tones for modern pop. Wrap just the upper portion of the walls to zone off sleeping and seating areas.
Pro Tip: Consider using peel-and-stick wainscoting panels for an easy and renter-friendly way to add architectural interest to your attic bedroom.
31. Paint Whimsical Cloud Murals
Channel a magical, fairytale aesthetic through painted skyscapes. Adhere a canvas across large sloping stretches for an easy artistic upgrade. Stencil puffy white clouds using a projector and painter’s tape masking.
Pro Tip: Use glow-in-the-dark paint for some of the stars or moon elements in your mural to create a magical nighttime ambience.
32. Consider Metallic Leaf Finishes
Pearly silver and lustrous gold leaf finishes glamorize an attic’s uniqueness. Brush metallic paint onto ceiling beams, architectural trim and niches. Or apply removable leaf sheets as dazzling accents. The reflective quality heightens the light.
Pro Tip: Experiment with copper leaf for a warm, rustic look that complements wood tones beautifully.
33. Experiment with Bold Wallpapers
Sheer walls and ceiling angles allow vivid wallpaper patterns to shine. Choose dynamic designs like Chinoiserie prints, tropical motifs or Moroccan tiles as bold backdrops behind the bed or seating. Use oversized prints for the best visual impact.
Pro Tip: Use wallpaper on the ceiling to draw the eye upward and create a cozy, enveloping feel in your attic bedroom.
Upcycle the Architecture with Salvaged Materials
Attics present the ideal environment for flexing those upcycling muscles and getting scrappy. Raid salvage yards for affordable building materials that play up the rustic vibe.
34. Panel with Reclaimed Beadboard
Beadboard instantly revives tired walls and ceilings with textural interest. Nail up salvaged tongue-and-groove planks or install peel-and-stick panels. The white-painted finish keeps things airy and light.
Pro Tip: For a more rustic look, leave some of the beadboard unpainted to showcase the natural wood grain and patina.
35. Construct a Bed Frame from Architectural Remnants
For serious style cred, construct a custom bed frame using salvaged materials. Repurposed wood boards, wrought iron railings, shutters and vintage doors reinvent scraps with rustic charm. Simplicity highlights the architecture itself.
Pro Tip: Incorporate vintage hardware like doorknobs or drawer pulls into your custom bed frame design for added character.
Conclusion
Attic bedrooms hold such potential as personalized retreats. Make the most of the abundant charm by embracing those iconic sloped ceilings, peaked rooflines and cozy nooks. When thoughtfully decorated, even the smallest stowaway attic space can become a beloved room with a spectacular view on top of the world. Use the unusual geometry and proportions to inform furnishing choices that enhance visual balance. Don’t overlook the value of multipurpose and small-space furniture to maximize flexibility. Attic rooms thirst for light, so take advantage of dormers and skylights wherever possible. Finally, don’t shy away from vibrant colours, prints and finishes that celebrate the playful, whimsical spirit. Have fun designing your special hideaway in the clouds!
Remember, the key to a successful attic bedroom transformation lies in embracing the unique architectural features while maximizing functionality. With these 40 cool attic bedroom ideas, you’re well on your way to creating a dreamy retreat that perfectly balances style and practicality. Whether you’re working with an expansive space or a cozy nook, there’s an idea here to inspire your attic renovation. Happy decorating!