Given that Laura will probably use the new room only during the holidays, Karen would like it to fulfil other functions, not least as storage space for all the things that have already been dumped there.

Karen is on a tight budget, so she has roped in her father, a retired builder, to do the work. Will she require planning consent? And how can she make the room feel light and spacious?

THE SOLUTION: Not all lofts are suitable for conversion, but in Karen’s case there is sufficient headroom and just enough floor space for her requirements.

Planning consent would be needed only if the house was listed or in a conservation area. As neither is the case, Karen can proceed. However, she must adhere to building regulations — and specifically to fire regulations, which are onerous on this kind of project: her local building control officer will be able to advise her. Karen will also need to consult a structural engineer, because it is unlikely that the ceiling joists will be strong enough to take the extra load of a new floor.

After looking at Karen’s plans, I anticipate that building control officers will require a fire lobby at the top of the access staircase, which will include a fire-rated door. As her budget is tight these structural interventions will be basic.

The living daylight: Apart from access, the way to convert a loft successfully is to let in natural light. Karen’s budget leads me to suggest rooflights instead of dormer windows. There are a number of companies that can supply these, the most well known of which is Velux, but I think that the Rooflight Company wins hands-down in the style stakes, particularly with its “neo” model. This, when installed, is absolutely flush with the roof line.

Inside the loft, the neo unit achieves the same minimalist appearance (what there is of the frame can be painted with the wall), which is important in a small space, where details are up-close and personal. To this end, the same company also offers the smartest ironmongery — the model supplied as standard is pleasingly simple — as well as chic blinds to fit.

A guide to colour: White and other pale colours are widely considered to expand space, but there are a couple of tricks that Karen can try. First, she might like to experiment with the latest in paint technology. Dulux has recently launched a Light and Space range of paints using LumiTec technology that reflects twice as much light around a room. There are nine colours from which to choose.

I fancy a very light grey called Pacific Breeze — and this is where the second trick comes in: while the wall with the rooflight, and the one opposite, might be white, the perpendicular walls could be picked out in this grey, hinting at shadow and therefore depth.

For artificial lighting, I recommend a run of recessed ceiling spotlights. These will not compromise headroom and yet will provide the most illumination, in the simplest and most cost-effective way, for any number of functions. I would add dimmer switches to offer more flexibility. I also suggest that Karen uses energy-saving light bulbs and increases the roof insulation to the 270mm recommended by the Energy Saving Trust.

As for furniture, the key to success in what will be quite a small, odd-shaped room is to have as few pieces as is feasible. These should also be as simple and low as possible. I would recommend that the desk surface doubles as a dressing table, with a mirror above. If it were cantilevered from the wall and made from MDF, Karen could cover the surface and sides with a mirror, which could be cut to size for a glamorous, seamless and light-reflecting look.

The addition of a simple wall-mounted Anglepoise Type75 light in white will make the most of the available surface area, and the same principle could be applied to a bedside table.

The Haiti single bed with storage underneath by Bonbon Trading would be a good option and could be dressed with cushions to create a day-bed feel when Laura is back at university.

To increase storage space, Karen should get her dad to knock up some cupboard doors, painted in the wall colour, to close off the two sloping eaves. This area might not be usable living space but it’s perfect for storing mementoes.

www.therooflightcompany.co.uk
www.velux.co.uk
www.dulux.co.uk
www.anglepoise.co.uk
www.bonbon.co.uk
E-mail details of your inner dilemma to: naomi.cleaver@thetimes.co.uk

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