30 Ideas for Small Attic Rooms With Low Ceilings Worth Copying

Low ceilings and steep slants are hallmark signs of an attic room. These features can be pretty restrictive in terms of furniture placement, storage, and decor choices, so much so that often these spaces are left empty or used as holding zones for items like bags destined for Goodwill and outgrown bed frames.

Though it's a design challenge, it's definitely not impossible to put this space to work. Here are 30 examples of low-ceiling small attic rooms that prove that creativity thrives under limitations.

Commission a Built-In Bed

Attic bedrooms often have unique footprints with small corners of space. In a kid's room, you can easily put a mini nook to good use. For example, you can convert it into a built-in bed complete with a bookshelf perfect for stowing your child's favorite bedtime reads.

Angle Your Bed

Figuring out where to put a bed in an attic sometimes takes some strategic thinking. If you don't want to block a window but also don't want to sleep under the low part of a slant, you can follow Julie Bolls of Farmhouse Springs' lead and angle the bed in a corner.

Opt for a Freestanding Tub

Attic bathrooms with short ceilings aren't always conducive to showers. However, they are a great spot to add a soaker tub.

Install a Shower in the Center

In some situations, you may be able to squeeze a shower into an upstairs bathroom, even if you're working with steep slants. One way to do so is to build a shower wall in the middle of the room where the ceiling height is the tallest.

Wallpaper the Slants

Determining what to do with the slanted walls in an attic bedroom can be a tough decision. Should you paint it the same color as the walls or ceiling? It depends on the shape of the room and your personal preference. But we say when in doubt, a pop of wallpaper on the slants and ceiling is always a good choice.

Build Your Own Library

Attic rooms with steep slants leave you with a unique triangle shape on your walls. One way to make great use of this architectural feature is to add DIY built-in shelves. Katie Currid used IKEA bookshelves to create a custom look at an approachable DIY price.

Make an Accent Wall With Wallpaper

One way to emphasize a wall with architectural interest in an attic bedroom is to transform it into an accent wall. If your attic bedroom has short ceilings, you can splurge on your favorite wallpaper since you won't have very many square feet to cover.

Draw Attention With Beadboard

Behind a bed is a wonderful spot for an accent wall, especially if your bed doesn't have a headboard. Add some texture with a wall treatment like beadboard and create contrast by painting the accent wall a different color.

Make a Kids' Suite

We love the idea of making an attic a stomping ground for kids. You can fit several beds along one wall by installing pony walls to act as headboards and privacy screens.

Create Seperate Spaces

If your attic features an open floor plan, look for creative ways to get the most use out of the space. Use rugs to create a separation of space between a bed area and a living area.

Install a Window Seat

A cozy dormer nook practically begs for a built-in window seat. Just imagine sitting there with a cup of tea and a good book on a rainy day.

Swag Your Light Fixgtures

You shouldn't automatically disqualify a room with short ceilings from a pendant light or chandelier. You can always swag the fixture over a seating area or bed, and no one will hit their head on it.

Choose a Minimal Headboard

Sometimes the only spot to place a bed in an attic bedroom is in front of a window. If you want to limit how much natural light you block, go with a non-solid head board.

Drape a Canopy

A canopy over a bed follows the same triangular wall shape many attics feature. By incorporating one into your attic bedroom, you'll nail a balanced look with regal charm.

Install Wall Sconces

If you can't fit a large statement light in your attic due to the short ceilings, you can achieve a similar look with wall sconces. Place one on either side of your bed for both aesthetics and convenience.

Utilize It as Your Office

People commonly use attic rooms as bedrooms, but they also make a great spot for a home office. Putting your home office on a second story will create more separation from a first-story living room where you most likely spend quite a bit of your leisure time.

Cozy It Up With a Fireplace

Few people are lucky enough to have an original fireplace mantle in their attic bedroom. If you don't have one already, you can channel a historic look by sourcing a small one off of Facebook Marketplace or an architectural salvage shop. It will still radiate a cozy feel even if it's nonfunctional.

17 DIY Fireplace Mantel Plans

Hang a Hammock

What's one perk of having short ceilings? The ability to hang a hammock from the rafters. You can really go all out and choose one with delicate details like fringe since you don't have to worry about it being exposed to the elements.

Install Skylights

Sometimes a tiny attic can feel a bit dark and claustrophobic. To let natural light flood in and create visual space, turn to a skylight.

Put in a Sleek Desk

Some attics contain few, but tall, windows. Rather than placing a bed in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, consider putting a desk with slender legs in front of it instead. It will still allow practically all of the natural light to flood the space.

Make a Second Living Space

If you have any teenagers living at home, an attic is a great place to curate a hangout area. Choose cozy seating and playful colors, and they'll never want to leave.

Build a Corner Desk

An unused corner in an attic bedroom makes a great spot for a desk and vanity combo. Building your own custom furniture requires very few materials. In fact, you can build a desk with just some hairpin legs and OSB board.

Paint a Simple Pattern

Applying wallpaper to a non-square-shaped wall with a window can seem daunting. If you want to hone a similar look with less sweat and tears involved, try painting on a pattern. You can use stencils or go wild and freehand a polka dot pattern.

Install a Small Powder Bath

No one likes to trek downstairs to use the bathroom in the middle of the night or during a good movie. If your attic contains any sort of living space, you'll want it to contain some sort of bathroom on the same level. You'd be surprised how little space you actually need for a powder bath with a small sink and toilet.

Keep It Minimal

If small spaces tend to make you feel more claustrophobic than cozy, consider sticking with white and other bright neutrals to prevent things from looking too busy. Keeping furniture and decor to a minimum can also prevent the space from seeming cluttered.

Place the Bed Under the Slant

Certain attic bedrooms feature steep slants that aren't great for placing a bed under. However, if you're able to still sit up in bed without hitting your head, this spot certainly isn't off limits for this important piece of furniture.

Get Creative With Storage

Attic bedrooms don't always have room for a big walk-in closet or a stand-alone wardrobe. We say put the areas that aren't ideal to walk under to good use and add custom built-in storage there.

Match Slants and Ceiling

People often have strong opinions about whether you should paint sloped angles to match the ceiling or the wall. While painting the sloped portion to match the wall color is generally common practice, this example proves that you can totally break the rules.

Paint It All One Color

Can't decide whether to match the slants to the ceiling or to the walls? Make the decision easier, and just paint it all one color. An attic room with only a small sliver of flat ceiling makes a great candidate for this look.

Put a Chair in the Corner

You don't be able to fit tall furniture under a slant in an attic bedroom, but you will be able to fit a chair under there. Place a lamp nearby and the light will bounce off the short ceilings and onto any books you read there.

Read the original article on The Spruce.