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Original poster

Loft conversion - one big bedroom or two small bedrooms?

31 replies

NonExecutiveFunctioning · 13/02/2019 13:24

We are in midst of dormer loft conversion.

Need to decide: one big room with separate bathroom or split (non-loadbearing wall) big room into two for kids?

Facts:

  • currently living in 3 bed Edwardian mid-terrace
  • 3 kids (10,8,4) who may want their own bedroom one day
  • 3 bedrooms on 1st floor - one reasonable master, one slightly less and one small third bedroom (not large gap between single bed and chest of drawers opposite)
  • nice area in SE London
  • no plan to move unless absolutely necessary

My husband insists it split into 2 beds. So each kid gets their own bedroom equally (to an extent) without one hogging largest bedroom.

I may inclined towards 2 bed split, although I'm a style over substance person and would abhor scramming too many rooms into ordinary 3 bed house)

Any cons to consider?

How do you families with 3+ kids in their tweens/teens live in terraced houses with lofts?

Thanks so much in advance for any ideas!

OP posts:
Original poster
NonExecutiveFunctioning · 13/02/2019 13:27

*not to mention we'd like space for library/study desk (master bedroom doesn't have space for it)

OP posts:
Sukochicha · 13/02/2019 14:46

100% split into two rooms - then everyone has their own bedroom and in the spare small bedroom you could have a study desk put in. Useful study space for you/DH plus ability to be a spare room easily as well.

Squirreltamer · 13/02/2019 15:03

Sounds like 2 bedrooms would suit your family right this moment.

But most people want the loft as the master ensuite. People say it feels like a retreat.

Maybe stick water feeds and waste capped just below floor level so you can change your mind in future if required/more appealing when selling.

Svalberg · 13/02/2019 15:05

I'd go for a split into 2 rooms with no switches or rads on the dividing wall to make it easy to turn into 1 room when they've all left home (or for the next owners to do it)

Arriettyborrower · 13/02/2019 15:09

We did as svalberg suggested. We have two bedrooms and separate bathroom in the loft conversion, th dividing wall had no switches on so it can easily be removed to turn it all into a master suite when kids have finally left home.....

HappyDinosaur · 13/02/2019 15:12

Personally I'd go for one large one with a dressing area and ensuite as this is what I have and I love it! That said, it really depends on your needs as a family, if a spate room or study would be useful then perhaps two would be best.

Disfordarkchocolate · 13/02/2019 15:19

I think 2 rooms sounds the most practical for what you want. You can then use your current smallest room as an office.

Br1ll1ant · 13/02/2019 15:21

We have split into two rooms and made the smallest middle floor room into a study. It works really well for us.

GiantKitten · 13/02/2019 15:33

Where will the stairs go? Will they affect one of the existing bedrooms?

Is there space for a shower room if you have 2 bedrooms?

CatkinToadflax · 13/02/2019 15:56

We are currently in the middle of having a loft conversion done and are having one large bedroom with en-suite. Recently a couple of local houses have been up for sale with 5 bedrooms (two in the loft) and eventually both were taken off the market, having not sold. I wonder if there would have been more saleability for them being 4 bed houses rather than cramming in 5 smallish bedrooms without a huge amount of downstairs living space.

But given your situation, OP, and it sounds like you have no plans to sell for the foreseeable, I agree with others that splitting your loft into two bedrooms but doing it so that the dividing wall could be taken down easily in the future is a great idea.

TheCraicDealer · 13/02/2019 16:04

I would go for two bedrooms and, if possible, would configure it in such a way that it would be minimal drama knocking down the wall in between. That would suit your needs now (and a spare room or study to hide computers/work from home in is a great bonus) but mean you could change things up in the future.

yomellamoHelly · 13/02/2019 16:46

We're currently doing one big with a separate shower. I do think that the lofts I've seen on Rightmove that are split into two rooms are much less desirable. In your situation, though, I can see the sense in splitting it.

Burnshersmurfs · 13/02/2019 16:59

I did a master suite upstairs. Really happy with it, as it gives the kids a separate floor -and means I don’t have to look at their mess all the time-

Original poster
NonExecutiveFunctioning · 14/02/2019 10:15

Thanks all, yes I'd go for not-too-hard to remove dividing wall for practical reason.

However it does impact the windows choice we are making.

I'm big fan of big windows. If we are to split into two rooms, one huge window (almost from top to floor) for small child's bedrooms looks weird. Not to mention - is that even safe?

OP posts:
Svalberg · 14/02/2019 10:42

We've got a floor to ceiling window (6 windows actually!). It's all toughened glass and none of the 3 bottom panes open. You could possibly put plasterboard or a grille over the lower part if you're concerned?

PeachPotato · 14/02/2019 13:01

Would your current master split easily in two? Then new master suite in loft.

PeachPotato · 14/02/2019 13:01

(And study in small room)

Original poster
NonExecutiveFunctioning · 14/02/2019 14:49

Svalberg - now that's practical solution, glad to know it's working for you. As my instincts scream against high prison-style windows (an exaggeration, of course). Now we just have to satisfy buildings regulation on % of top being covered by glass.

PeachPotato - middle room would have no windows, if current master was to split into two.

Happy with the plan now, thanks guys. It means we will have two oldest kids current shared bedroom as cosy library+study with plenty of space for guest bed.

OP posts:
doodleygirl · 14/02/2019 15:14

I would say it depends on how many bathrooms you currently have. Once the DC start to get older you need at least two bathrooms.

StellaMorris · 14/02/2019 15:19

Use loft for master bedroom and en-suite, split current master bedroom?

StellaMorris · 14/02/2019 15:20

Sorry, i’ve Seen your post about windows

Original poster
NonExecutiveFunctioning · 14/02/2019 15:38

doodleygirl Yes we are building extra separate bathroom as well in the loft. (again, question propping up - do we need extra boiler and do you really often have people showering in different bathrooms at same time - like you need more of my questions.)

OP posts:
GiantKitten · 14/02/2019 22:53

do you really often have people showering in different bathrooms at same time

That happens more as kids get older, but if it’s going to be an issue then timing can be negotiated Smile

In our house it’s more of a problem if someone runs water in the kitchen when a shower’s in use upstairs, but as long as the shower control is thermostatic it’s only the flow that reduces, there’s no freezing/scalding.

Def worth consulting a plumber with loft experience IMO.

doodleygirl · 15/02/2019 09:24

I would go with the extra boiler if you can. We did a loft conversion a couple of years ago, master with ensuite - after taking advice from the builder we changed our existing boiler to a bigger one and were told this would enable us to use showers at the same time - it doesnt! I really wish we had put in another boiler.

So many things to learn when you start this process.
Good luck

Sukochicha · 15/02/2019 10:05

do you really often have people showering in different bathrooms at same time

Not just showering - but running hot tap for washing up, hand washing, ruining cold tap to get a drink, fill kettle for coking etc.

A family of five, with three teenagers will 100% end up running two showers at once pretty often I would say!