Help me with my 1930s semi side extension and loft conversion!

[Suuudohnym]

I have two things I would love help with please!

1.We're knocking down our garage to create a single storey extension. We need more living space so are turning this into a snug/TV room for the kids with an ensuite shower room. I'd love to also use it as a guest room too. Problem is, it's only going to be about 1800mm wide - so although we could potentially get a small sofa bed in there, it'll fill a lot of the floor space when in use as a bed, meaning we couldn't put much other furniture in there. Also, what sort of seating could we realistically get in there so the kids can sit and watch TV? Has anyone created a similar sized room like this and managed to get a decent layout?

2.We're converting the loft into a master bedroom. I'm not a fan of Juliet balconies, but they seem to be the norm for lofts. It just seems a bit impractical that if you want a through-breeze in the night, you've got to sleep with the doors open! I also don't really get the idea of having doors that open out onto nothing... Anyway, I'd love a big window (with an opening) instead. Would this be more expensive? Anyone seen any lovely examples of something like this?

How is that a helpful post? The OP has considered her options and this is the solution that works for her circumstances.

OP most people value living space rather than garage space these days so ignore the negativity.

@Suuudohnym our velux window was in the roof , was very large and right over the bed
That was why it was so noisy , also the pitch of the roof / ceiling was steep and high , so it was very difficult to open / close the window and move the black out blind which meant the blind was left 3/4 closed all the time defeating the object of letting light in ( having said all that above , our velux was from the 1980s and hopefully things have progressed since then )

I'd just have a proper window in the wall with a top bit you can open ( though I think the window has to have a big enough opening to allow a fireman / woman to get in to rescue you wearing full breathing equipment due to building regs )

Thanks @Africa2go

@Veryfishy oh, that’s a bit disconcerting about being big enough for a fireman - but I understand what you mean!

Six /seven foot wide garages being such an asset when selling a house.

Typically the narrow garages of this era end up being glorified dumping grounds/sheds. Converting them to studies, snugs, play rooms and occasional guest rooms its pretty standard and adds value in most metroland areas.

No one has mentioned that loft conversions can be cold in winter and very hot in summer. You might want to take that into account when you plan.

Ours certainly isn't cold in winter, we've never used anything but the summer duvet in winter and just a sheet in summer - building regs require good insulation standards. It also gets the sun longer as it's higher than any other room.
It gets extremely hot in summer but we have the velux and dormer windows open to create a through draught which cools it down well. We have a large dormer window, about 1.8m high, the bottom panes don't open, they're about 30/40 cm high. The big windows above that do. It's wider than a juliet balcony and lets more light in.

No, but you need to make sure the wall is load bearing, or have it battened.

I have a 30s loft but I opted not to have the floor length window, my loft windows match the scale & proportions of the floor below. Everyone overlooks me, I don't want them seeing me wafting around the bedroom in my pjs.

@Svalberg your window sounds lovely - was it more expensive than a Juliet balcony, do you think?

re the garage room - I’ve thought about everything everyone has said and think I need to abandon the idea of using it as somewhere to sleep and just turn it into a snug.

OP could you use something like this so you do have extra beds on hand - albeit that it's not quite a luxurious "guest" option.
Habitat Chair

We also had one of these for a while Folding bed which we kept in a wardrobe - if someone comes to stay, you could potentially move that into the "snug" so they have private space?

Click clack style sofa beds work well in narrow long rooms. The mechanism on some models works so that it sort of scoops rather than folds out and takes up less floor space (Ikea beddinge is good for this). Put a TV on the opposite wall and you get about three seats in, side tables become bedside tables. Not much room at the foot of the bed but guests make do. Agree re the doors to nowhere!

Sorry, I don't know but I wouldn't have thought it was more expensive as it doesn't have more moving parts?

That’s what I’m hoping - that my preferred option might actually be cheaper than the ‘standard’ option - which isn’t usually the way!