In many homes, attics are neglected or only used for storage. Designed for hiding home system parts, storing items, and improving energy efficiency, attics are often unfinished and filled with bins of holiday decor, out-of-season items, and old memorabilia. Like basements, they also have a bit of a reputation for being creepy. After all, who knows what’s up there? However, these spaces can actually be transformed into lovely and functional rooms, and converting your unfinished attic into usable space is way easier than you think. With a professional attic inspection and some creativity, you can make yourself the perfect reading nook.

Often featuring sloped ceilings and exposed wood, they make especially cozy spaces that feel like an escape from the rest of your home. Additionally, because attics are located at the top of your house, you can avoid distracting footsteps and other noises. This makes converted attics especially good spots for activities that require focus, such as reading — but also yoga, art, and other hobbies. If you want more living space in your home, then transforming your attic is a great way to do so. If you currently store quite a bit in your attic, you may need to start the process by decluttering your attic by tossing these commonly stored items. When designing your reading nook (or other creative space), you will want to know how to effectively style the limited area and ensure that your hidden hobby space is safe for use.

While there are many ways to make your attic reading nook comfortable and beautiful, specific styling tips can help you really perfect the room. First, you will need to carefully consider storage. Converting your attic means changing up your storage, so it is important to be efficient. Bookshelves along the walls (even if they’re short because of the slanted ceiling) makes good use of the space while leaving the center of the room open for furniture. Using cabinets with doors or curtains in some areas is a good way to keep the room looking clean while storing away more unsightly clutter. Plus, the open space also allows your attic to be a more versatile room. Another important factor in an attic reading room is lighting. Cute options like string lights will create the perfect cozy vibe, but you will also need a task light in order to read comfortably. Warm light is good for a calming reading retreat nook, while cooler lighting can help improve focus. 

Attics often have vaulted ceilings but short walls, creating an interesting shape. Tailoring your decorations and even paint colors can help you achieve different effects visually and psychologically. High ceilings are thought to encourage feelings of creativity, while low ceilings promote more focused thinking. For a particularly small attic, if you want to promote creativity, furniture with cutouts, curves, glass, and built-in storage can make the space look larger. Tricks like using low furniture and white paint can make ceilings look taller. Alternatively, horizontal elements like string lights strung across the room cut off the height for a quaint feel.

Before you start planning your dream reading nook, you should be aware of the cost and other things to consider when finishing your attic. Because unfinished attics often lack insulation, drywall, subflooring, and more, it can cost between about $5,000 and $20,000 to get an attic in good shape for something like a library. Add in furniture and decor, and this can be a pricey project. 

You also need to consider safety regulations. Check building codes before starting and get any permits or inspections needed to comply with regulations. A professional inspection will also give you a good idea of the safety of your attic and how much weight it can support. Bookshelves can be quite heavy, so it is important that your attic is structurally sound before moving a bunch of heavy furniture and items around. You definitely do not want the floor to buckle under the weight and ruin not only your renovated attic but also the rest of your house below.

Overall, the attic is an underutilized space that is a surprisingly wonderful part of your home to redo. While there may be some difficulties with moving furniture up and down, avoiding a cramped result, and making sure that everything is structurally sound, the resulting multipurpose space is perfect for quiet activities. Whether you curl up with a book or roll out a yoga mat for some rejuvenating exercise, creating an inviting attic nook is a great home improvement project.