Add staircase into loft without losing bedroom

Comments (12)

Dundrum 16
7 years ago
I'm embarking on a similar project (deciding in my new build to use the roof space as a room) and the staircase will continue as yours will. However to maximise light from the existing landing window, I've decided to make the upper staircase open tread. Perhaps you have plenty of light sources, but I thought it worth mentioning.
PRO
Prime Living
7 years ago
From these photos looks like the existing window shouldn't be impacted. The new stairs should run up along the wall on the right (in last photo), and without seeing what the existing roof configuration is I'm also assuming a dormer construction, to allow sufficient headroom from the stairs. Do a photo search on Houzz for 'loft-room stairs', 'dormer conversion' or 'attic room stairs' and you should find some images that help.
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We did look at doing that originally with the aechitext but the upstairs has an open staircase so it cuts up a lot of room and would cost hundreds to stud it all out and put in and plaster the walls and put windows in :0( Plus I have a dressing area at the top of the landing where a window is ( the only window light that could come from upstairs is a north facing side window) so I might lose some of this. Overall it wouldn’t give us anything except showing the stairs in the hallway ie no cloakroom and a smaller upstairs with a lot of cost. We understand the hall is small and that’s just as the house was built so it’s one of those things. It’s just trying to use what is there as my OH wont spend any extra on things he deems aren’t fundamental now, lol.
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We used to have something similar - we’re in a Victorian terrace that had a very old attic conversion when we bought it. The stairs were off the middle bedroom - the landing wasn’t altered in any way. The door to the middle bedroom was taken off (architrave remained in tact) - you walked through this gap and turned immediately 90 degrees to go up the stairs (the stairs ran along the bedroom wall). A new doorway was built immediately in front of the old one to preserve the bedroom (you wouldn’t need that in your plan!) The bedroom is quite big, so still felt quite spacious. My sons bed (an Ikea mid height thing) used to go under the stairs quite comfortably. A few years ago, we moved the stairs to come off the landing. The reason we did this was because the stairs off the bedroom effectively ran up the middle of the house - it meant that the attic conversion was two rooms. By moving the staircase to the landing and running them above the main staircase, we now have a large attic master bedroom and en-suite. It’s a much more usable space.
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Think carefully if doing a loft extension about whether to have a dormer or just velux . We went down the velux route and regret as the dormer would have given more head height for storage or shower options
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angelboyman
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Measure a step then times that by 11 (11 steps) to give you the height to the half landing. Take that measurement from the half landing up the wall and you should see where the loft half landing would be in relation to the window, However, it depends where the new stairs will enter the loft area. You have 15 steps so I'm estimating a ceiling height of about 3000mm (almost 10ft) so if the window permits you could have similar stair to what you have now or it could be configured differently, say a quarter turn instead of a half landing, it could even have 3 steps at to the top of the landing that face the wall (90 degrees to the top step on the landing) then a quarter turn up the wall (so you have the turn at the bottom not the top. There will be a way that you can work it out, I'm sure of it!
Joanna Biddolph
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
My advice is to look at it the other way - how to make the most of the space in the loft and see how the stairs fit in as a result. Ultimately, it's the loft space you are trying to use; the stairs just get you there. When I did my loft, the stairs went up in a square to minimise the amount of floorspace they took up below and maximise the available space above. If I had put them so they continued up from the lower stairs, they would have cut the space above in two leaving me with unhelpfully shaped and sized spaces. Instead, I got a massive double bedroom, a clever bathroom, built in cupboards, a storage area and a lovely stained glass window and an internal window in front of it that brought light on to the stairs. I strongly recommend that you look at it from all angles.
PRO
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
As Prime Living says, presumably the stairs are going straight up in to a dormer at the front of the house or it wouldn't work due to head height. Difficult to say without a proper floor plan of the proposed conversion. However, if this is the case, the staircase would look the same and should not impact the window.
ittiolly
7 years ago
Be sure to check that the proposals comply with regulations on escape in the event of a fire before you start any works. Your local Building Control officer can advise you.
PRO
Yasmin Chopin Interior Design
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hello Tilly67 - There's some very sensible advice given here and I particularly concur with Joanna Biddolph who suggested you look at it from the point of view of what you'll gain in the loft. It seems your main problem is visualising how the staircase will look. Have you had the design drawn up? If not, I suggest this is the next step. Either use an architect or better still use an interior designer who has architectural skills. An interior designer is going to focus on what you need from the space and how you will use it.

I have designed staircases and helped clients visualise the finished result - it's easy for us to do. It's our job to help clients understand the spaces, and how to achieve the best for their budget. I have to say that designing staircases is probably one of my favourite jobs!
PRO
User
7 years ago
Better still to use a staircase specialist who is trained in architecture and practiced in that field for many years, before retraining as a carpenter. We always say this to prospective customers, who often end up paying twice to design something, when really you simply require a switched on staircase maker who understands space, materials and construction. Robert
Mark D
7 years ago
Check current Building Regs, you may find (as our previous landlord did when extending property into the loft) that a ground floor sprinkler system is now mandatory in such cases - be prepared to budget for that as well!
PRO
PWJ Architects Ltd
7 years ago
We would advise you have this property surveyed and plans submitted to a relevant architectural designer.

www.pwjarchitects.com
joolslashley
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
My staircase continues across the original staircase in my house to the loft room. It's simply a return stair in exactly the same way as your first is. Jut doubled again with a small return landing halfway and at the top. It looks like it's been there forever and I've lost nothing from any bedroom. There's a small dormer on the rear loft level for light into the stairwell. I'm lucky enough to have a large dormer to the front in the room.

United Kingdom

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Add staircase into loft without losing bedroom

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Comments (12)

Dundrum 16

Prime Living

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