Would I be mad to convert the loft but not add a bedroom? (with pics)

[united4ever]

So had two builders come round to look at doing loft conversion. The context is that I will have to work from home permanently so need to create some office space but would also like to get my son out of the tiny box room.

1st one suggested to reduce size of master bedroom to put stairs in and then. This would mean keeping the box room and adding a 4th bedroom - still enough space for an ensuite in loft with dormer but it would be a smaller loft area because the stairs would take valuable head height space in the loft.

2nd builder suggested to put stairs in box room and the remaining space could function as an office (which is what I need actually) but obviously if we do come to sell (no plans for many years) then it would be a 3 bedroom house - not 4 bed so it's not going to achieve as high a sale price is it? However, the loft would be more spacious with the stairs not eating into the best part of the loft. I pointed out that not adding a 4th bedroom would affect value and he accepted this but also said, with many people working from home you are still adding a small office which is valuable and if you do it the other way you will only be able to use half the space in the loft.

I am erring towards the 2nd builder but it goes against all the usual advice doesn't it of adding another room to get your money back when you sell. Thoughts?

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

I'm not convinced that option 1 is your best option, but you can definitely rule out option 2.

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

I'm not convinced that option 1 is your best option, but you can definitely rule out option 2.

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

I'm not convinced that option 1 is your best option, but you can definitely rule out option 2.

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

Have any of you neighbours in similar houses done loft conversions that you can get ideas from?

Sometimes very helpful to see what others have done!

This thread very glitchy @MNHQ

Have any of you neighbours in similar houses done loft conversions that you can get ideas from?

Sometimes very helpful to see what others have done!

This thread very glitchy @MNHQ

Have any of you neighbours in similar houses done loft conversions that you can get ideas from?

Sometimes very helpful to see what others have done!

Have any of you neighbours in similar houses done loft conversions that you can get ideas from?

Sometimes very helpful to see what others have done!

Have any of you neighbours in similar houses done loft conversions that you can get ideas from?

Sometimes very helpful to see what others have done!

I was and have an open office space on landing its ok but not great if not in house alone as people always disturbing you and if trying to have a private zoom call or phone call I end up on my bed. Also with it being in an open space you can't shut the door on it so got to keep it tidy and as I walk past it when not working it reminds me of what I have to do. Would much prefer a box room I could shut the door on at the end of the day.

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

I'm not convinced that option 1 is your best option, but you can definitely rule out option 2.

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

I'm not convinced that option 1 is your best option, but you can definitely rule out option 2.

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

I'm not convinced that option 1 is your best option, but you can definitely rule out option 2.

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

I'm not convinced that option 1 is your best option, but you can definitely rule out option 2.

I think option 2 is strange and a complete no-go unless you have some incredibly specific plans for the loft that would really benefit from this space in the middle that otherwise would be taken by the stairs. This would only be the case if the whole loft is one big room - and even then it's still a bit tricky to put furniture in the loft so I wouldn't rush to lose a perfectly fine room on the 1st floor for that. Option 2 would make a 'proper' (albeit small) 1st floor room into something very odd - not only tiny but also not private due to stairs and with half obscured window. It'll be a naughty corner essentially. Useless space, for arguably not a lot of gain.

You don't say what the overall measurements are. I have stairs in the middle, half of the loft to one side of the stairs is bathroom and study, and the other half is bedroom. There's still enough space for this despite the 'lost' headspace due to staircase. Another loft option is two bedrooms both sides and jack-and-jill en-suite in the middle (over the staircase).

Our landing if anything looks smaller than yours. Like the PP we have a kite winder staircase - similar to this.

Is the bathroom or the small bedroom at the top of the stairs?

Why can't you put the stairs over the stairs?

I'd definitely take some of the down stairs bathroom... and have a lovely en suite in the loft

Sorry about the repeated posts my ipad is getting old.

Firstly, to do any loft conversion you are going to have to apply for Planning permission

Not if you do the loft under 'permitted development', adhering to certain pre-set rules and restrictions (unless you live in a conservation area, in which case PD is not allowed). I would highly recommend doing this (you can get the council's approval to ensure that your plans are within PD) - applying for planning permission is a nightmare.

Firstly, to do any loft conversion you are going to have to apply for Planning permission

Not if you do the loft under 'permitted development', adhering to certain pre-set rules and restrictions (unless you live in a conservation area, in which case PD is not allowed). I would highly recommend doing this (you can get the council's approval to ensure that your plans are within PD) - applying for planning permission is a nightmare.

yeah, one neighbour has done option 1. Another one has a loft dormer but don't know them well enough to ask them about it.

Kite winder staircase looks interesting alright. I attach some pics of the bathroom, would a kite winder fit in there somehow.

Am resigned to Option 2 being a no go now btw.

@Melitza

Sorry about the repeated posts my ipad is getting old.

@Melitza it's not you -seems to be a site problem across Mumsnet @MNHQ please would you tidy thread as somewhat spoils it including my post appearing 5 times even though I stopped even trying to post it

Going against the popular opinion on here but I think option 2 could be done if you do it right; I follow an interior designer who did option 2 in her own house and I really liked it. I’m on my phone so am a bit of a loser but if you search ‘loft conversation’ or ‘office’ on her blog - blog.making-spaces.net - you can see what she did and if you like it.

A circular staircase might be helpful. I've lived with one - they can be useful!