By keeping an open mind to all the possibilities, you can unlock the door to extra space just waiting to be discovered. The first thing to consider is how you will use the space. Here are some ideas that may be right for you:

A home office can be as simple as a table, a chair and a task lamp tucked away in the corner of a renovated attic. This way, the attic can serve multiple functions to optimize the space.

1. A dream closet can take the place of a walk-in closet if your primary bedroom does not have one. Picture rows and rows of shoes artfully arranged in your spacious closet.
2. An out-of-the-way playroom for kids to store their toys is a great way to use an attic. You will want to carpet the floor to dampen the sound coming from above to the rest of the house.
3. If you have always wanted a home library complete with a reading nook, the attic may be the place you have been missing. Add floating shelves for books. If your attic has a window, why not place a comfortable reading chair next to the natural light to make the experience even more enjoyable?
4. Why leave home to go to a gym when all you have to do is climb the stairs to your attic home gym and get some exercise? Attics are usually open spaces perfect for placing mats, cardio machines and weights. Just make sure your attic floor can support the additional weight.
5. If your attic is spacious, consider making it a game room complete with a billiards table, a large screen TV to watch sports and enough seating for playing video games.
6. A craft or hobby room away from the activity of everyday life offers the peace and quiet you need for creativity. The basics are a rolling cart to hold craft supplies, a filing cabinet and a large workspace surface to spread out your work in progress.
7. In designing your attic, you will still want to have some portion designated for actual storage. Installing sliding doors to conceal luggage or seasonal items allows you to use the rest of the room however you want.
8. If an extra bathroom is what you decide, make sure to situate it over existing plumbing to cut down on costs. Sometimes, new pipes can be linked to existing ones. If this is not the case, you will need to run the attic's supply and drain pipes all the way to the basement.
9. If your guests have been sleeping on inflatable beds in the living room, it may be time to upgrade to a more private attic guest bedroom. All you need to make it work is a bed, a small dresser, a night table, a lamp and a cozy area rug.

Work with experts

Before starting the project, hire a professional to access the space to ensure it complies with local building codes. For example, codes typically call for as much as half of your finished attic to be at least 7 feet high and 7 feet wide. And remember that your finished attic will weigh much more than it currently does.

The engineer will assess the foundation and framing to make sure it can carry the additional weight when finished. At the very least, you will need to reinforce the floor joists. Another consideration is whether you will need to build a staircase to access the area and if you do, what the best layout will be.

Once you have decided on how the space will be used, you will want to consider adding skylights to provide extra natural light or dormers to resolve any height issues. To keep the room comfortable during the year, install a ceiling fan to keep it cool in the summer and help warm things up in the winter. Recessed LED fixtures are a good way to light the room without adding heat.

The solution for finding extra storage or additional living space may be just overhead. It's no wonder the attic is a popular choice for renovation projects. Contact us for more ideas on how to transform the overlooked areas of your home into rooms you can be proud of.