Real home: this Scandi-style loft bedroom is just dreamy

Katy and Jason’s loft conversion has created the perfect getaway at the top of their house

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing
(Image credit: Chris Snook)

For Katy and her husband, Jason, extending upwards was the obvious solution for them and their young children. Transforming their unused loft space into a master suite not only gave them the extra bedroom they needed, but it also created a peaceful area for the couple away from the busy, toy-strewn nature of a family home.

Katy’s story is proof that a loft conversion needn’t be a headache. Take your time choosing your team, have a plan in place, and the process should be as smooth as a home improvement project can be. It helps to have an eye for design and a bit of DIY prowess – Katy upcycled her own bedside tables – but creating your dream space is easier than you think. 

If you want to get extra room by converting the loft, we have plenty of expert advice and ideas on how to do it. Find more real home transformations on our dedicated page.

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing

Glazing, Team Frames. Armchair, Design Vintage. Basket planter, Patch. Wall light, Tine K Home

(Image credit: Chris Snook)
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The owners Katy Waters and husband Jason, who work in finance, live here with their children, Luna and Max
The property A three-bedroom Victorian semi in Hanwell, Ealing
Project cost £73,000

‘Because of the stage we’re at, we stay at home a lot more – rather than going out partying – so our house has become very important,' says Katy. 'We spend more time here, so we’ve invested quite heavily in it. This room is a little toy-free haven from downstairs.  When the children are asleep, I’ll traipse upstairs, have a long shower and read before bed. It’s a beautiful, relaxing space, and a little luxurious, too – it feels like a hotel room.’

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

‘We moved into this house when I fell pregnant with Luna. We had the master bedroom and she had the smaller room, but we decided that it’d be handy to have a guest room – and we needed the extra space.

‘Before we moved, we did another project in Ealing – turning a one-bed flat into a two-bed – so we realised how important it was to get good builders on board. We wanted to go by friends’ recommendations and we knew we wanted a design and build company. Eventually, we settled on Ash Island Lofts. We had a consultation and they arranged for an architect to come and discuss plans.'

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing

Mirror, Made. Rug, Anthropologie

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

‘When we were meeting with different companies, we were told several times that we should cut into the bedrooms to create the stair space for the loft. Having lived in the master bedroom before, we could appreciate how nice the room is, so we didn’t want to do that.'

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing

Metro wall tiles, Topps Tiles. Wall lights, Industville. Shelving and towel hooks, House Doctor. WC, Bathstore

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

‘Instead, we decided to put the stairs through the family bathroom, which did make our lives quite difficult – we had no bathroom for six weeks! I just wanted to get the project finished, so we decided to take the hit. It was strange having to go elsewhere for a shower, but we’d rather lose the space in the bathroom rather than one of the lovely bedrooms.’

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing

Flooring, Bert & May. Shower head and mixer, Crosswater

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

‘We knew exactly what we wanted, so the process was very quick. We began speaking to the team in May 2018 and they started work that October. Their brief was to finish before Christmas because we had guests coming to stay. They finished the work really quickly – it was the interiors that took more time.'

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

‘We needed to maximise space – with two young children, storage is important. I don’t like clutter showing, and the fitted wardrobes keep the room looking clean. We made sure to keep a good amount of eaves space for that purpose. The other wardrobes are in an alcove. We kept costs low – they’re just MDF painted in Farrow & Ball colours.’

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing

Walls painted in Ivory Rusk, Colourtrend. Bed, Loaf. Bed covers and grey throw, The White Company. Bedside tables, Ebay, painted in Amsterdam Green, Annie Sloan, with handles from Rowen & Wren. Radio, Crosley. Wall lights, Industville. Radiator, Paladin Radiators

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

'I take inspiration from Scandinavian design. When I’ve travelled to Sweden and Denmark, I admired the rustic look and light colours. I was keen to make the natural light in the loft a feature. The seating area by the window capitalises on that, and we had the flooring laid towards that glazing to draw attention to it.

‘I wanted a statement piece bed and the pink colour caught my eye. We spent more money on that, but it’s mixed in with Ebay bedside tables that I upcycled.’

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing

Sink, Catalano. Taps, Crosswater. Mirror, Rose & Grey

(Image credit: Chris Snook)
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‘The ensuite is small, so we kept the walls white to let the light bounce off them. We’ve spent more money on some parts of the conversion, like this floor, for a more luxurious look. Plus, I wanted a pop of colour in the room, and pink is my thing. It’s offset nicely by the white tiles and ties the bathroom in with the bedroom. When the en suite’s not in use, we keep the sliding doors open so it creates a bigger linked space.’

December 2019: Katy Waters and husband Jason have created a Scandi-inspired master bedroom in the loft of their home in Ealing


(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Contacts:

Design and build Ash Island Lofts
Cladding JJ Roofing
Flooring Jordan’s Wood Flooring

More reading:

Ellen Finch
Former deputy editor

Formerly deputy editor of Real Homes magazine, Ellen has been lucky enough to spend most of her working life speaking to real people and writing about real homes, from extended Victorian terraces to modest apartments. She's recently bought her own home and has a special interest in sustainable living and clever storage.