It’s hard to over-emphasise the benefits of a loft conversion. On a moderate budget, you can add value and space to your home with minimal fuss. If an extension isn’t right for you – either because you have a tricky plot, no garden or a budget that won’t stretch far enough – looking upwards could be the way to go.
That was certainly the case for Polly and Oli Geal. With two children growing fast, and fed up of sharing their one bathroom, the couple began to think about a loft conversion to provide more space. They had been in their Victorian home in south-west London for six years, but didn’t want to leave as they love the area and have plenty of friends nearby – so extending upwards was the most logical way to get more space and child-free privacy. Polly talks us through the steps she took to create her new master suite.
Use your house to the fullest by converting the loft. We have lots of of helpful advice and loft conversion ideas in our dedicated feature. For more real home transformations, head to our hub page.
- For advice on loft conversion costs be sure to check out our ultimate guide
Profile
The owners Polly Geal, a photographer (@thishouseourhome; littlekin.co.uk), and her husband, Oli, a creative director, live with their children Raff and Elsie
The property A four-bedroom Edwardian terrace in Isleworth, south west London
Project cost £51,213
‘We felt we were outgrowing our house, which was a real shame – we’ve renovated every inch of it,’ Polly says. ‘We had to find a solution or move. Our loft was large with a good height, so we started making serious plans for a conversion in the spring of 2018. A friend of ours had employed a local company, Ash Island Lofts, to do some architectural drawings and plans, so we asked the team round to mull over some ideas. We got on well with them, and realised we’d be happy if they did the whole build from start to finish. We put it out to tender and their quote was competitive, so we booked them in.’
Opting for tongue and groove wardrobes, made by a local carpenter and painted a neutral colour, rather than contemporary ones, adds to the laid-back feel of the room. Wardrobes painted in Shaded White, Farrow & Ball. Radiator, Radiating Style. Bed, Loaf
‘Because the house is in a Conservation Area, we knew there was no chance of a dormer on the front of the house, facing the street – it would need to be at the back. We had initially thought about putting two smaller bedrooms up in the loft and adding another bathroom on the first floor, but our architect said we’d add more value if we made the loft a master suite, with a large bedroom and en suite.'
Keen to mix in old with the new, Polly bought a pine chest of drawers that would hold plenty of clothes, and painted it for a softer feel. Chest of drawers, Vinterior
'We did overrule him on the layout, though. He suggested the bathroom should be partly in the dormer, which would give us an L-shaped bedroom, but we wanted the large space to be the bedroom with a view over the garden and the bathroom in the eaves at the front of the house.’
With plenty of much-needed storage under the eaves, Polly has made a cosy reading corner in front of it, with her new chair adding texture through velvet. Chair, Swoon. Cushion, Projekti Tyyny. Flooring, Quick-Step. Sheepskin rug, Dunelm. Blinds, Blinds UK. Walls painted in All White, Farrow & Ball
‘One of our main aims was to get a spacious feel to the conversion, and the flooring was a big consideration. I didn’t want anything dark, but I love natural materials, so wood was always going to be my choice rather than tiles or carpet. I searched through hundreds of different oaks online before I finally found the one I wanted at Quick-Step. It’s got a real limewashed feel to it, which fits in with the Scandi style of the rest of the house, and it will only get better with age. Plus it was a reasonable price.’
The shower room has been tucked under the eaves but the large Velux window means it has plenty of natural light. With such a small space to work with, the compact fittings have been cleverly thought out. WC, Hudson Reed. Wall and floor tiles, Topps Tiles. Walls painted in Calamine, Farrow & Ball. For a similar mirror, try the Alaria, La Redoute
‘With the build finished, I tackled storage. I envisioned built-in cupboards floor-to-ceiling to the right of the dormer, and I wanted the dead space under the eaves used so I could store towels and toiletries. We had a quote from one company that was astronomical, but I found a great local carpenter who did exactly what I wanted, plus put a hidden cupboard in the bathroom – which the other company told us couldn’t be done – all for £1,200.’
The maximum-sized frameless enclosure and powerful shower head add a luxury feel to the en suite. Attractive tiling, period-style sanitaryware and soft colours give it a Victorian feel with a contemporary twist. Shower mixer, washstand and basin, shower tray and wetroom enclosure, all Hudson Reed
Contacts
Loft Ash Island Lofts
Carpenter Twickenham Furniture Maker
‘Choosing the paint colours and furnishings was as important to me as the flooring. My idea of a nightmare conversion is a modern box stuck on top of a lovely old house, so we made every attempt to make it feel like it’d always been there by using natural materials and muted, subtle colours, as well as adding plenty of texture. I searched out vintage pieces – like the chest of drawers –and made sure the bathroom fittings were appropriate for the age of the house. We’re so happy with our sanctuary up the stairs. The loft means we don’t have to move now – or possibly ever.’
A heated towel rail in a retro style matches the period-style sanitaryware. Epsom heated towel rail, Hudson Reed. Towels, H&M Home
