Makeover your attic room in 5 steps

If you're lucky enough to have large attic space this is valuable extra room in your property that can be converted and used by all your family. Whether you want to create a home office, retreat, library, a teenager's bedroom, or perhaps a main bedroom with ensuite, there's so much you can do with the space.

If you just want a simple, multifunctional room, there are lots of easy ways you can give your attic space a makeover. Decorate in a fresh paint shade, such as a calming duck-egg blue, and use pretty patterned fabrics for blinds and cushions in a coordinating shade.

Look out for pieces of furniture that double up for different uses – the streamlined sofa that converts into a bed for when guests come to stay over the holidays, or for last-minute children's sleepovers.

Add plenty of multi-tasking storage, too. Cube shelving is versatile and can be arranged to fit into tricky spaces such as the eaves. Baskets are also a great storage option and look attractive tucked in to corners of the room.

Alternatively go for a shelving unit with doors for concealed storage, so that you can stow away bits and bobs but still display books, fabric-covered boxes and treasured accessories.

A comfy footstool or beanbag is another must in the attic room for relaxing when reading or watching television.

When it comes to lighting, this is important in a enclosed space. Add a few table lamps, a pendant and make the most of natural light in the room. If you have a Velux window allow plenty of light inside with a white roller blind or a fabric blind that can be pinned back once night falls. Why not try sewing a simple blind yourself in a lovely fabric?

1/6 Space-saving attic living room

Cotton fabrics in neutral tones create a snug space - perfect for a cosy attic living room.

Make over floorboards with a coat of white paint, and add an inexpensive jute rug to muffle footsteps.

Find a similar rug at IKEA.

2/6 Invest in a sofabed

If you have an unused loft room, a comfy sofabed is a great investment as it lets you turn your space into a guest room or a second living room when visitors leave. It's often hard to get bulky pieces of furniture up narrow stairs into attics, so choose a sofabed that comes in seperate pieces to be easily assembled in situ.

The sofabed is from Muji.

3/6 Plan your storage

Make the most of the available storage space under sloping ceilings with an assortment of units in different heights. This style of bookcase, fits into an awkward space, making it a brilliant alternative to bespoke cupboards, and they're quick and easy to assemble. Customise the backs of shelves and glass cupboard doors with matching wallpaper for a co-ordinated look. Keep open shelves looking neat by storing clutter in these handy wicker baskets.

The bookcase, glass doors, and extension unit are all IKEA.

4/6 Make a simple window dressing

Skylights are the most common type of window in an attic room and can make fitting a blind or curtains a little tricky. For an instant window treatment, make a simple fabric sail - just use two constrasting pieces of material back to back, and attach to the top and sides of the window with Velcro strips. To open the blind, simply unfasten one side and pin the corner back.

The fabrics for the blind are from Villa Nova and GP&J Baker.

5/6 Choose moveavble pieces

Lightweight multipurpose furniture that's easy to move around allows you to switch effortlessly between room functions. Look for storage trolleys on castors and large baskets for spare bedding and towels.

This table is from Muji.

6/6 Disguise the bed linen

Pillow shams made in a fabric that matches your blind and wallpaper are a great way to turn spare pillows into cushions. You can put them on a sofa without them looking too 'bedroomy' and then swap the shams for pillowcaes when you have guests to stay.

Find the pillowshams at GP&J Baker, and the throw at Tesco.

Browse hundreds of living room images in our living room channel, and don't forget our ideas section for more storage solutions. Plus, why not follow us on Twitter or find us on Facebook for all the latest features and interiors gossip.