Lofts are trendy and appealing to most people. However, renting lofts in Brooklyn, just for the feel of having a loft will require you to dig deeper into your pockets. That's why you might have to consider changing your attic room into a loft.
Apart from the need to experience the living in a loft, you might also want to change your attic into a loft so that you can have an extra room when your folks come visiting during Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween or any other holiday that brings Americans together. A loft might be all you need instead of asking folks to rent a hotel when they come over.
If you are a real estate developer or a person who has invested in real estate, attic conversions into lofts might mean a new revenue stream for you or your company. This approach is especially important in an area like Brooklyn, where renting apartments is expensive, and new buildings are coming up at a slow rate.
But what are the secrets of a successful loft conversion?
The following are factors to consider when converting your attic into a loft.
[1] Source of Light
Lofts are more appealing when they have a lot of natural light. If your attic is dark and has no source of natural light, you will have to add windows or some transparent roofing to let in natural light.
Some people use artificial lighting, but it is not my cup of tea. It doesn’t seem to give your new converted loft, that feeling.
[2] Strong Floor
Sometimes, we build lofts without the idea of converting them into lofts later. Other times, the floors of the attic are just old and weak. Before converting your attic to a loft, first, consider the strength of the level, and do the necessary in case the
story lacks sturdiness.
A proper loft floor should be stable, level, and polished. The story should be strong enough to hold all the things that you are to put into the converted loft.
[3] Space between the attic floor and the roofing
Not all attics are convertible into comfortable lofts. You surely don't want a loft where you have to bend or literary crawl on all fours 80% of the time when you are in it. It is, therefore, vital that you consider how spacious your attic is.
The attic roof should be high enough to allow you to walk freely comfortably without having to worry about knocking your head. It is not a must that the entire attic to have a high roof, but most of it should have a high ceiling.
[4] Giving the loft a personality
What's the purpose of the space? For whom are you converting it? Are some of the questions you have to ask yourself before the actual conversion? A loft conversion is all about giving your new loft room a personality and character.
The decoration, the floor arrangement, the lighting, the wallpapers, etc., are some of the things that will give your loft a character.
If you want to use your converted loft room for romantic dinners with your other half (like I have done with mine), you will need colorful lighting, soft floors, and cushions, a comfortable rosy bed maybe, flowers, plants, and candleholders. All these are to be placed strategically in the actual loft to ensure maximum effect.
[5] Costs
Our needs are limitless, and we have to prioritize our needs according to the purpose and the utility we get from fulfilling those needs. What comes between us and what we want is mostly the depth of our pockets.
That is why it is necessary to consider the cost of converting your attic into a converloft and determine whether it is worth it. You should also consider your budget so that you can prioritize on the most critical things for your loft.
If you are a real estate developer or investor, you will have to assess the attic conversion from a business point of view, and make sure that the loft costs incurred will be paid back, and with profit.
The above are some of the factors when converting your attic into a loft. It is also vital that you seek help and advice from a professional who has first assessed your attic.
This approach is essential because of issues like air conditioning, electrical wiring, and plumbing. Seeking professional help will also help you to come up with a rough estimate of the cost you will incur to convert your attic into an attic loft fully.
Good luck in your mission to convert your attic into a loft.