Under the Eaves: 21 Arresting Attic Rooms

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

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

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.

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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

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

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

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.

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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.

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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

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

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

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

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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