Under the Eaves: 21 Arresting Attic Rooms

Attic rooms are challenging to furnish. Their charming-but-awkward features like sharply sloped ceilings and angular dormers can make furniture arrangement a real struggle. In these often odd-shaped rooms, the factors that most affect furniture placement and decor are the degree of the ceiling's slope and the size and position of the windows. One common solution for a slope-ceilinged attic room is to use the short space at the outer edges for low, built-in storage units, bookshelves, or even a wide, flat desktop. The awkward spaces created by dormers can also be put to good use. For example, a large dormer window can accommodate a single bed tucked right into its alcove. A smaller dormer may provide prime space for a writing desk or a window seat with storage underneath. Are you getting any ideas yet? Take a look at these 21 attractive attic spaces where challenge led to triumph.

By Sarita Harbour and Katie Nolan | Updated Nov 19, 2020 11:04 AM

Modern and Bright

1/21
Attic Office

Need space for a home office? Look to your attic. These homeowners made great use of the space under the sloping ceiling with twin desks on each side and a high work table in the middle of the room. Shiplap walls and dark wood floors create a calm atmosphere that promotes concentration.


Related: 10 Space-Smart Ways to Squeeze In a Home Office

Zillow Digs home in San Antonio, TX

English Style

2/21
Guest Room

The English have been designing around dormer windows for hundreds of years, and this home continues that tradition. The decorators of this charming room makes the most of an awkwardly shaped room by sticking to simple wood furnishings that don't overpower the space.


Related: 10 Vintage Decorating Ideas We Were Wrong to Abandon

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Shades of Gray

3/21
In Wall Dresser

This modern take on an attic bedroom makes the most of limited space with in-the-wall dressers. Soft gray walls and bedding mixed with ambient lighting evoke calm and simplicity.


Related: The Only Colors You Should Use in a Small Space

Zillow Digs home in Denver, CO

Bathe in Beauty

4/21
Attic Bathroom

Bright white paint and sparkling faucets turn this spot under the eaves into a functional bathroom. The design effortlessly blends vintage charms—hello, clawfoot tub!—with sleek modern details for a contemporary yet classic space.


Related: Bathroom Envy: 15 Jaw-Dropping Rooms We Love

Zillow Digs home in Bridgehampton, NY 

Built-in Comfort

5/21
Kids Bedroom

This room is ready for the ultimate sleepover. Custom single beds built into the walls create cozy nooks in this delightful kids’ room. Drawers under the beds and shelves that double as dividers offer ample storage for books, clothes and, of course, toys. 


Related: Kids Crammed In? 10 Great Ideas for Your Kids' Shared Bedroom

Zillow Digs home in W Hampton Beach, NY

Perfect Symmetry

6/21
Skylight Attic

What makes this attic bedroom so appealing is its bright aesthetic. While white walls and honey wood floors might not make a dramatic statement downstairs, here the colors lighten up a room that could otherwise feel dark and cramped. Mirroring skylights, plus a center window, also provide plenty of natural light, making the space appear bigger than its square footage.


Related: 10 Classic Ways to Brighten a Dark Room

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Under the Stars

7/21
Skylight Bedroom

This cozy attic bedroom is perfect for an overnight guest who loves to stargaze. To make up for the room's narrow proportions and low ceilings, furnishings are kept to a minimum. With a bed positioned between two skylights, sleepers can dose off beneath the stars and awake to a room filled with abundant sunshine.


Related: 11 Things Never to Keep in Your Bedroom

Zillow Digs home in Seattle, WA

Family Hangout

8/21
Attic Family Room

The whole family can gather in the attic room. Here, a long and low bookshelf works as the perfect media stand to fit a flat screen TV under the curved walls and weathered shiplap and soft-colored accents give it a breezy, beachy vibe.


Related: 7 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping for Furniture

Zillow Digs home in Panama City Beach, FL

Blank Slate

9/21
Open Floor Plan

This attic bedroom makes the most of an open floor plan. Without walls between the bedroom, bathroom, and living space, guests are left with a wide open space that's exaggerated by bleached colors and sparse furnishings.


Related: Buyers Pay More for Homes with These 12 Features

Zillow Digs home in Bridgehampton, NY

R&R Room

10/21
Attic Space

This attic room makes a unique upstairs escape from chirping phones or noisy TVs. The daybed is made for lounging, but works as a bed when guests come to stay.


Related: 9 Inventive Ways to Build an Extra Bed

Zillow Digs home in Seattle, WA

Amsterdam Attic

11/21
Amsterdam Attic

Slanted walls are not a claustrophobic's best friend, but a ceiling-mounted mirror and a large window bounce light around the room making the space feels cozy not crowded.


Related: How Much!? You Won't Believe the Price of These Teeny Tiny Apartments

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White Out

12/21
Subway Tile Bathroom

Ceiling tile is an ambitious design choice. If not executed well it can overpower the space or date a new remodel in a few years time. Luckily, subway tile is a classic choice that has withstood the test of time.


Related: 16 New Reasons to Love Subway Tile

Zillow Digs home in Newport Beach, CA

Bedtime Stories

13/21
Attic Shelving

Tight quarters doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of storage—you just have to be smart about it! The built-in shelving in this neat room provides ample space for books while drawing attention to the window with a deep ledge that doubles as a built-in bedside table.


Related: 10 of the Most Genius Products from the Container Store

Zillow Digs home in Seattle, WA

All in the Details

14/21
Attic Bonus Room

Pulling tones from the eclectic stair risers that lead to a terrace, the vibrant accents in this attic hangout make a splash against its blank backdrop.


Related: 10 Decorating Mistakes That Make Your House Look Smaller

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Quirky Kitchen

15/21
Attic Kitchen

Sunny yellow and lavender might not be your first choice (or second or third) for kitchen colors, especially paired with a sea-green backsplash, but when taking advantage of extra space in the attic why not go for something bold?


Related: 12 Kitchen Trends You Might Regret

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Contemporary Quarters

16/21
Vibrant Bedroom

The wood-panel walls of the '70s and '80s will instantly date a room, but these horizontal slats have the exact opposite effect. The light wood and bold blues and greens make for an upbeat and contemporary space.


Related: The Most Popular Paint Colors in America

Zillow Digs home in Seattle, WA

Fairytale Hideout

17/21
Cozy Attic

This charming room has all the makings of a storybook-like retreat: Rustic beams, a wood-burning stove, shabby chic furniture—even a swing! It’s the perfect hide-out for when you need a break from the rest of the house.


Related: Weird or Wonderful? 22 Homes That Are Anything But Ordinary

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Nautical Dwellings

18/21
Nautical Bedroom

Does this room feel neat and tidy because of its crisp color combination? Or is the sense of order thanks to its massive built-in storage? We call it a draw and give this sharp, nautical room top rankings.


Related: 11 Best Buys to Make Your Small Home Feel Big

Zillow Digs home in North Palm Beach, FL

Easy Breezy

19/21
Peaceful Bedroom

Here's proof that an attic room doesn’t have to dark and stuffy. Billowy drapes and lush houseplants turn this white room into a peaceful retreat.


Related: 14 White Rooms We Love

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Pop of Purple

20/21
Purple Room

A vibrant hue can quickly overpower a room, especially a tiny one that’s tucked away in an attic. Rather sticking to a dull color palette, this bedroom uses just a splash of purple to make a statement against the white walls.


Related: The 10 Best Colors for a Brighter Basement

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Cottage Chic

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Cottage Chic

Rather than hide the beams that come with the space, this bedroom leaves them bare to enhance the design. The room achieves a rustic (but not old) look with the help of its cream wood walls and cheerful yellow bedding and modern accents.


Related: 21 Ways to Make a Small Bedroom Big

Zillow Digs home in Santa Barbara, CA

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